This 589-mile journey from Redwood, TX to El Paso, TX will take approximately 8 hours and 48 minutes of driving time. It's a long-distance drive best split over two days, especially considering the estimated fuel cost of $90. You'll primarily navigate on Highway 123, Highway 46 South, and Interstate 35 North, with no significant highway driving. This route offers a straightforward path through the Great Plains region of Texas. With two recommended stops, you can break up the drive comfortably and make the most of your time on the road.
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
294.5 miles from Redwood, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 55m into the drive
.
El Paso is the sixth largest city in Texas, with 679,000 residents (2020). It is on the United States-Mexico border. The city on the other side of the border is Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua. El Paso is often called the Sun City. Collectively, the city of El Paso and other nearby cities, such as Juarez and Las Cruces, New Mexico are referred to as The Borderland.
Expect a drive that is predominantly on surface roads, with zero percent highway usage. This means you'll experience a more grounded feel to your travel, likely encountering more local traffic and lower speed limits than a typical interstate trip. The longest uninterrupted stretch is not specified, but the overall 8-hour 48-minute duration suggests you'll have substantial periods of driving between your planned stops. As you traverse the Great Plains, the landscape will likely remain consistent, offering a steady, if not varied, driving experience.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 10 is the longest continuous segment at about 536.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and Anderson Loop. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 33.7 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 589 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 33.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 33.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 51 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
33.7 mi into trip|~41m in
Take the exit toward Loop 1604: Anderson Loop
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 172
Toward Loop 1604: Anderson Loop
7
33.8 mi into trip|~42m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Loop 1604 West: Anderson Loop
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Loop 1604 West: Anderson Loop
6
51 mi into trip|~1h 1m in
Take the exit toward Frontage Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Frontage Road
6
52.9 mi into trip|~1h 3m in|I 10; US 87
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
8
588.2 mi into trip|~9h 37m 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
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Redwood, TX to El Paso, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Loop 1604 West along the way.
Loop 1604 West
34.2 mi in|~42m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
536.4 mi
8h 34m
Anderson Loop
16.7 mi
18m
Purple Heart Trail
12.7 mi
13m
FM 1101
10.2 mi
14m
North State Highway 123
3.9 mi
4m
FM 1978
2.3 mi
3m
North Pan Am Expressway
1.8 mi
1m
Interstate Highway 35
1.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 536.4 mi, about 8h 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Redwood, TX and El Paso, TX.
1
Start on FM 1978
2.3 mi·3 min·FM 1978
2
Turn left onto TX 123
3.9 mi·4 min·North State Highway 123
3
Turn right onto FM 1101
10 mi·14 min·FM 1101
4
Turn right onto TX 46
0.2 mi·41 sec·State Highway 46 South
5
Turn left onto Interstate 35 North
0.3 mi·36 sec·Interstate 35 North
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward I 35 SouthUse the left lane.
7
Merge onto I 35
0.8 mi·52 sec·Purple Heart Trail
8
Continue on I 35
1.7 mi·1 min·Interstate Highway 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 35
12 mi·12 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 35
1.8 mi·1 min·North Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Exit 172Toward Loop 1604: Anderson LoopUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward Loop 1604 West: Anderson LoopUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·13 sec
Toward Loop 1604 West
14
Merge onto Loop 1604
17 mi·18 min·Anderson Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Toward Frontage RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn straight onto North Loop 1604 West
0.2 mi·25 sec·North Loop 1604 West
17
Turn right onto Interstate 10 West
0.3 mi·24 sec·Interstate 10 West
18
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·19 sec
Toward I 10 West, US 87 North
19
Merge onto I 10; US 87
1.1 mi·1 min·I 10; US 87
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
535 mi·8 hr 33 min·I 10; US 87
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 19BToward Missouri Avenue, DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Turn straight onto East Missouri Avenue
0.3 mi·49 sec·East Missouri Avenue
23
Turn left onto TX 20
0.3 mi·27 sec·North Mesa Street
24
Arrive at destination
North Mesa Street
Trip Plan
Given the 8-hour 48-minute duration, splitting this drive over two days is highly recommended to avoid fatigue. Aim to depart early in the morning on your first day to maximize daylight driving. Plan for at least two stops to refuel and rest, ensuring you stay within your $90 fuel budget. Since this route involves surface roads rather than interstates, pay close attention to local speed limit changes. A practical tip for this specific route is to check your tire pressure before you leave, as consistent driving on varied road surfaces can impact it.
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 294.5 miles from Redwood, TX, or about 4h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 536.4 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 130 miles or 2h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 294.5 miles or 4h 55m 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 294.5 miles or 4h 55m
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 40m
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 Redwood, 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 Redwood, TX
Aim for roughly 295 miles and 4.8 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into El Paso, TX
Aim for roughly 295 miles and 4.8 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 130 miles from Redwood, 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 10 for about 536.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 294.5 mi from Redwood, TX
· 4h 55m into the drive
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
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...
Welcome to San Antonio Missions, a National Park Service site and the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas. Each mission in the park is a center of community and has been since the early 1700s. Th...
20 mi from route
~50 min detour
Free
near mile 40.6
Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park tells the story of our 36th president beginning with his ancestors until his final resting place on his beloved LBJ Ranch. This entire "circle of life" gives...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 81.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$89.00 one way
$178.00 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg206 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$97.42
$194.83
premium
$4.54
$105.16
$210.32
diesel
$5.61
$130.04
$260.09
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$89
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$219–$329
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 206.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $62 in charging
· 2 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
176.7
2
$61.84
$28.27
Efficient EV
147.3
1
$51.54
$23.56
EV Truck/SUV
235.6
2
$82.46
$37.70
Gas CO2
206 kg
EV CO2
69 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 15, 2026
Origin
Redwood, TX
Night
in Redwood on Friday
Local time
10:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
El Paso, TX
Night
in El Paso on Friday
Local time
9:04 PM
MDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
22 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 38m 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 Redwood, TX to El Paso, TX covers 589 miles and takes about 9h 38m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 10, Anderson Loop, Purple Heart Trail. 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 295 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 294.5 miles from Redwood, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $89.00 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 is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 589 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 33.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 33.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 51 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Redwood, TX to El Paso, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Loop 1604 West along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Chamizal National Memorial, San Antonio Missions National Historical Park and Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
