Origin
Joshua, TX
Afternoon in Joshua on Sunday
Local time
3:57 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Joshua, TX to El Paso, TX
Drive Time
10h 22m
Distance
618 mi
995 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$94
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
10h 13m
★
6 AM
10h 22m
8 AM
10h 41m
10 AM
10h 29m
12 PM
10h 27m
3 PM
10h 30m
5 PM
10h 40m
8 PM
10h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Joshua, TX
Erik Schereder
El Paso, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Spanning 618 miles across Texas, your journey from Joshua to El Paso requires approximately 10 hours and 22 minutes of drive time. Because this is a significant long-distance haul, planning for at least two days on the road is highly recommended to keep the pace manageable. You will primarily navigate via the Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway, I-10, and the Chisholm Trail Parkway. Budgeting around $94 for fuel is a smart move for this trek across the Great Plains. While it is technically possible to push through in one go, splitting the trip allows you to arrive in El Paso feeling refreshed rather than exhausted.
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
309 miles from Joshua, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 5h 15m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a serious long-distance grind on this route, as highway driving accounts for 29% of your total travel time. You will spend a substantial portion of your journey on the Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway, which features a massive 431.5-mile stretch that serves as the backbone of your drive. The road’s personality is defined by these long, uninterrupted segments that require focus and steady endurance. As you progress toward the western part of the state, the landscape remains consistent within the Great Plains region. Be prepared for a straightforward, high-speed travel experience that prioritizes efficiency over technical, winding backroads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 431.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
At 10h 22m, this is a long-haul route where pacing matters more than any single turn. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near FM 917 / East 12th Street.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 618 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (FM 917 / East 12th Street): Navigation decision point; at 16.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 17 miles (Bryant Irvin Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
FM 917 / East 12th Street
Turn right onto FM 917 / East 12th Street
Navigation decision point
6
16.2 mi into trip
|
~19m in
Take the exit toward Oakmont Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Oakmont Boulevard
6
17 mi into trip
|
~21m in
|
Bryant Irvin Road
Turn right onto Bryant Irvin Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
21.7 mi into trip
|
~28m in
|
I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway toward I 20 West: Abilene
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 20 West: Abilene
8
617.2 mi into trip
|
~10h 20m 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
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway | 431.5 mi | 7h 11m |
| I 10 | 166.7 mi | 2h 43m |
| Chisholm Trail Parkway | 13.9 mi | 14m |
| Bryant Irvin Road | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| West FM 917 | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Oakmont Boulevard | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| West 14th Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| East Missouri Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
— 431.5 mi, about 7h 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Joshua, TX and El Paso, TX.
1
Start on this road
49 ft
·
5 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto FM 917
172 ft
·
11 sec
·
East 12th Street
3
Turn left onto FM 917
385 ft
·
15 sec
·
South Main Street
4
Turn right onto FM 917
0.5 mi
·
47 sec
·
West 14th Street
5
Continue on FM 917
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
West FM 917
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Toward CTP Toll North
7
Merge onto CTP
14 mi
·
14 min
·
Chisholm Trail Parkway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward Oakmont Boulevard
Use the slight right lane.
9
Turn left onto Oakmont Boulevard
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Oakmont Boulevard
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
10
Turn right onto Bryant Irvin Road
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Bryant Irvin Road
Use the right lane.
11
Turn left onto Southwest Loop 820
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
Southwest Loop 820
Use the left lane.
12
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I 20 West
13
Merge onto I 20
2.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20
429 mi
·
7 hr 8 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Toward I 20 West: Abilene
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 10
167 mi
·
2 hr 43 min
·
I 10
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Exit 19B
Toward Missouri Avenue, Downtown
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn straight onto East Missouri Avenue
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
East Missouri Avenue
18
Turn left onto TX 20
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
North Mesa Street
19
Arrive at destination
North Mesa Street
Trip Plan
To tackle this 618-mile drive effectively, aim to depart early in the morning to maximize daylight hours. Plan for at least two dedicated stops along the way to break up the monotony of the long highway stretches. Given the length of the trip, staying hydrated and keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is essential, especially when traversing the vast 431.5-mile segment of the Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway. Since this is a two-day commitment, choose a midpoint to overnight so you can avoid driving through the final leg of the journey in fatigue. Prioritizing consistent, steady travel will make this extensive transit across Texas much more comfortable.
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 309 miles from Joshua, TX, or about 5h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 431.5 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 136 miles or 2h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 309 miles or 5h 15m 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 309 miles or 5h 15m
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 9h 22m
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 Joshua, 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 Joshua, TX
Aim for roughly 309 miles and 5.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into El Paso, TX
Aim for roughly 309 miles and 5.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 136 miles from Joshua, 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 Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway for about 431.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 309 mi from Joshua, TX · 5h 15m into the drive
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
204 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.
Second major stop
Overnight candidate
408 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 Kermit, TXOvernight Options
Night 1
309 mi · about 5.2h in
A practical overnight split lands near Big Spring, TX after about 309 miles or 5.2 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 136 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 309 miles from Joshua, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 431.5 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 309 miles or 5.2 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$94.40 one way
$188.81 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
216 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $103.45 | $206.91 |
| premium | $4.59 | $111.70 | $223.40 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $137.30 | $274.60 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$94
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$224–$334
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 216.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $65 in charging · 2 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 185.4 | 2 | $64.89 | $29.66 |
| Efficient EV | 154.5 | 1 | $54.07 | $24.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 247.2 | 3 | $86.52 | $39.55 |
Gas CO2
216 kg
EV CO2
72 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.
Destination
El Paso, TX
Afternoon in El Paso on Sunday
Local time
2:57 PM
MDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
54°F
Brownwood, TX
204 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
3 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
10h 22m 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 Joshua, TX to El Paso, TX covers 618 miles and takes about 10h 22m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway, I 10, Chisholm Trail Parkway. 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 309 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 309 miles from Joshua, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $94.40 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 618 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (FM 917 / East 12th Street): Navigation decision point; at 16.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 17 miles (Bryant Irvin Road): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Joshua, TX to El Paso, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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