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Trip from Hico, TX to El Paso, TX

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

9h 52m

Distance

580.8 mi

935 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$88

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 27 min
4 AM
9h 43m ★
6 AM
9h 52m
8 AM
10h 10m
10 AM
9h 58m
12 PM
9h 57m
3 PM
9h 59m
5 PM
10h 9m
8 PM
9h 47m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Hamilton County, Texas, United States

Hico, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown El Paso, TX, TX

El Paso, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Hico, TX to El Paso, TX covers 580.8 miles and takes about 9h 52m behind the wheel. It usually feels better as a 2-day road trip than as one long push.

The route leans on I 20, I 10, North State Highway 108 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is long-distance drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 369.9 miles on I 20. At current regular gas prices, budget about $87.76 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Best split across 2 days

Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.

Break Rhythm

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

290.4 miles from Hico, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 5h 8m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

9h 52m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (99%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

At 580.8 miles and 9h 52m of driving, this is a route where fuel stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single turn. The main roads are I 20 and I 10.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 20 is the longest continuous segment at about 369.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and I 10. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 43.1 miles in near TX 108 / West Interstate 20.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The route itself is not hard, but at 9h 52m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 8 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 43.1 miles (TX 108 / West Interstate 20): Navigation decision point; at 43.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 413.4 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 8 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

4
43.1 mi into trip | ~59m in | TX 108 / West Interstate 20

Turn left onto TX 108 / West Interstate 20

Navigation decision point

4
43.3 mi into trip | ~59m in

Take the ramp toward I 20 West: Abilene

Navigation decision point

Toward I 20 West: Abilene
5
413.4 mi into trip | ~7h 7m in | I 10

Merge onto I 10

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
580.1 mi into trip | ~9h 50m in

Take the exit toward Missouri Avenue, Downtown

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 19B Toward Missouri Avenue, Downtown
4
580.6 mi into trip | ~9h 51m in | TX 20 / North Mesa Street

Turn left onto TX 20 / North Mesa Street

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 20 369.9 mi 6h 6m
I 10 166.7 mi 2h 43m
North State Highway 108 22.3 mi 33m
North US Highway 281 17.3 mi 19m
South Graham Street 1.7 mi 3m
South State Highway 108 0.8 mi 1m
South Graham Avenue 0.6 mi 1m
West 2nd Street 0.4 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 20 — 369.9 mi, about 6h 6m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Hico, TX and El Paso, TX.

1

Start on TX 6

0.4 mi · 28 sec · West 2nd Street
Use the straight lane.
2

Continue on US 281; TX 6

17 mi · 19 min · North US Highway 281
3

Turn left onto TX 108

0.8 mi · 1 min · South State Highway 108
4

Continue on TX 108

0.6 mi · 1 min · South Graham Avenue
5

Continue on TX 108

1.7 mi · 3 min · South Graham Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
6

Continue on TX 108

22 mi · 33 min · North State Highway 108
7

Turn left onto TX 108

0.2 mi · 27 sec · West Interstate 20
8

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 18 sec
Toward I 20 West: Abilene
9

Merge onto I 20; TX 108

238 mi · 3 hr 58 min · I 20; TX 108
10

Continue on I 20; TX 349

132 mi · 2 hr 8 min · I 20; TX 349
11

Merge onto I 10

167 mi · 2 hr 43 min · I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 20 sec
Exit 19B Toward Missouri Avenue, Downtown Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Turn straight onto East Missouri Avenue

0.3 mi · 49 sec · East Missouri Avenue
14

Turn left onto TX 20

0.3 mi · 27 sec · North Mesa Street
15

Arrive at destination

North Mesa Street

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 290.4 miles from Hico, TX, or about 5h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 369.9 miles.

Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 128 miles or 2h 25m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 290.4 miles or 5h 8m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Overnight split

Day 1 wrap after about 290.4 miles or 5h 8m

Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 8h 52m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near El Paso, TX than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Hico, TX so your first major turns are already loaded.

+

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

+

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

+

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

+

Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Hico, TX

Aim for roughly 290 miles and 4.9 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into El Paso, TX

Aim for roughly 290 miles and 4.9 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 128 miles from Hico, TX.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 20 for about 369.9 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 290.4 mi from Hico, TX · 5h 8m into the drive

city in and county seat of Nolan County, Texas, United States

First major stop

Coffee and fuel

Sweetwater, TX

192 mi into the route

Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch

This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.

city in and county seat of Reeves County, Texas, United States

Second major stop

Overnight candidate

Pecos, TX

383 mi into the route

Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start

This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.

Find hotels in Pecos, TX

Overnight Options

Night 1

Midland, TX

290 mi · about 4.9h in

A practical overnight split lands near Midland, TX after about 290 miles or 4.9 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Sweetwater, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 128 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Odessa, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 290.4 miles from Hico, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 369.9 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 290 miles or 4.9 hours on the road.

Arriving in El Paso, TX

The final approach into El Paso, TX usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around El Paso, TX.

On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach El Paso, TX with some flexibility left in the schedule.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

El Paso Museum of History

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 580.8

El Paso, Texas

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+19152123150

Visit website

Magoffin Home State Historic Site

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 580.8

El Paso, Texas

Hours: 9 am–4 pm

+19155335147

Visit website

Tom Lea Upper Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 580.8

El Paso, Texas

Hours: 6 am–11 pm

+19152120092

Visit website

International Museum of Art

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 580.8

El Paso, Texas

Hours: 1–5 pm

+19155436747

Visit website

Maxey Park

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 373.4

Pecos, Texas

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+14324452421

Odessa Mountain Bike Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 290.4

Odessa, Texas

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+14326991718

Visit website

West of the Pecos Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 373.4

Pecos, Texas

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+14324455076

Visit website

El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 580.8

El Paso, Texas

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+19152120966

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Chamizal National Memorial

Chamizal National Memorial

National Memorial

Chamizal is more than just an urban park to recreate or enjoy a quiet afternoon. These grounds are a reminder of the harmonious settlement of a 100-year boundary dispute between the United States and...

2 mi from route ~5 min detour Free near mile 580.8
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$87.76 one way

$175.52 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 203 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $96.06 $192.12
premium $4.54 $103.70 $207.40
diesel $5.61 $128.23 $256.47

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$88

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$218–$328

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 203.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $61 in charging · 2 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 174.2 2 $60.98 $27.88
Efficient EV 145.2 1 $50.82 $23.23
EV Truck/SUV 232.3 2 $81.31 $37.17

Gas CO2

203 kg

EV CO2

68 kg (67% less)

Plan for 2 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Hico, TX

Afternoon in Hico on Thursday

Local time

4:58 PM

CDT

Current temp

71°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

El Paso, TX

Afternoon in El Paso on Thursday

Local time

3:58 PM

MDT

Current temp

83°F

Mostly Sunny

SW 10 mph 0% chance Live forecast

59°F

Sweetwater, TX

192 mi in

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.

Time zone

1 hour earlier

The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.

Temperature spread

12 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

9h 52m on the road

This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Hico, TX to El Paso, TX covers 580.8 miles and takes about 9h 52m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 20, I 10, North State Highway 108. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 290 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 290.4 miles from Hico, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $87.76 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
The route itself is not hard, but at 9h 52m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 8 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
The main spots that need attention: at 43.1 miles (TX 108 / West Interstate 20): Navigation decision point; at 43.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 413.4 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Hico, TX to El Paso, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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