Origin
Refugio, TX
Evening in Refugio on Wednesday
Local time
6:54 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Refugio, TX to El Paso, TX
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
11h 18m
Distance
669.6 mi
1,078 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$101
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
11h 9m
★
6 AM
11h 19m
8 AM
11h 39m
10 AM
11h 26m
12 PM
11h 24m
3 PM
11h 27m
5 PM
11h 38m
8 PM
11h 13m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Refugio, TX
Wikimedia Commons
El Paso, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Spanning 669.6 miles across Texas, this journey from Refugio to El Paso requires a significant commitment of about 11 hours and 18 minutes of actual drive time. Because of the sheer distance, you should plan on splitting this trip over two days to ensure you arrive safely and without complete exhaustion. Budget approximately $102 for fuel to cover the trek, which takes you across the expansive Great Plains. While the route connects two points within the same state, the transition from the coastal plains near Refugio to the high desert terrain of El Paso is substantial. Approaching this as a two-day excursion provides the necessary flexibility to manage the long hours behind the wheel effectively.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
3 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
334.8 miles from Refugio, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 5h 56m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a serious long-distance haul, as 97% of your travel takes place on high-speed highways. You will spend the vast majority of your time—specifically 535.3 miles—on the I-10 corridor, which serves as the backbone of this route. The journey begins with smaller stretches on TX 239 and US Highway 183 before merging into the relentless pace of the interstate. While the road is efficient for covering ground, the character of the drive is defined by these massive, uninterrupted stretches of highway. Be prepared for a consistent, high-speed environment that demands focus as you transition from the local road network onto the primary transit arteries of the state.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 32 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 535.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and TX 239. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 116.1 miles in.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 669.6 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 116.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 118 miles (I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 118.9 miles (I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
116.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 21m in
Take the exit toward Cesar Estrada Chavez Boulevard, Alamodome
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 140B
Toward Cesar Estrada Chavez Boulevard, Alamodom...
8
118 mi into trip
|
~2h 25m in
|
I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway
Take the exit onto I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway toward I 10 West, US 87 North: El Paso
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 156
Toward I 10 West, US 87 North: El Paso
6
118.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 26m in
|
I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
133.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 43m 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
668.8 mi into trip
|
~11h 17m 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 Refugio, TX to El Paso, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Alamodome along the way.
Alamodome
116.1 mi in
|
~2h 21m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 10 | 535.3 mi | 8h 33m |
| TX 239 | 28.1 mi | 37m |
| US Highway 183 | 22.6 mi | 24m |
| US Highway 181 North | 16.6 mi | 19m |
| McDermott Freeway | 15.5 mi | 18m |
| South US Highway 181 | 13.7 mi | 15m |
| I 37 | 8.7 mi | 9m |
| North US Highway 181 | 5.7 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 535.3 mi, about 8h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Refugio, TX and El Paso, TX.
1
Start on West Commons Street
43 ft
·
8 sec
·
West Commons Street
2
Turn left onto US 77
0.7 mi
·
58 sec
·
North Alamo Street
3
Continue on US 77 Alt; US 183
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
North Alamo Street
4
Continue on US 77 Alt; US 183
23 mi
·
24 min
·
US Highway 183
5
Continue on US 77 Alt; US 183; TX 239
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
South Jefferson Street
6
Turn left onto US 59; TX 239
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
East Pearl Street
7
Turn right onto TX 239
28 mi
·
37 min
·
TX 239
8
At end of road, turn left onto TX 72; TX 239
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
East State Highway 72
9
At end of road, turn left onto TX 72; TX 239
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
·
East Main Street
10
Turn right onto US 181 Bus
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
North 5th Street
11
Continue on US 181 Bus
113 ft
·
2 sec
·
North 5th Street
12
Turn right onto US 181
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North Sunset Strip Drive
13
Continue on US 181
13 mi
·
14 min
·
South US Highway 181
14
Continue on US 181
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Front Street
15
Continue on US 181; FM 887
5.7 mi
·
6 min
·
North US Highway 181
16
Continue on US 181
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
South Storts Street
17
Continue on US 181
4.4 mi
·
4 min
·
US Highway 181 South
18
Continue on US 181
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
10th Street
19
Continue on US 181
17 mi
·
19 min
·
US Highway 181 North
20
Take the exit onto US 181
0.5 mi
·
33 sec
·
South US Highway 181
21
Merge onto I 37
8.7 mi
·
9 min
·
I 37
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 140B
Toward Cesar Estrada Chavez Boulevard, Alamodome
Use the slight right lane.
23
Turn left onto East César E. Chávez Boulevard
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
East César E. Chávez Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
24
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I 10 West, I 35 North
25
Merge onto I 10; I 35; US 87
93 ft
·
1 sec
·
South Pan Am Expressway
26
Take the exit onto I 10; US 87
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
McDermott Freeway
Exit 156
Toward I 10 West, US 87 North: El Paso
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 87
15 mi
·
17 min
·
McDermott Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
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.
29
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Exit 19B
Toward Missouri Avenue, Downtown
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Turn straight onto East Missouri Avenue
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
East Missouri Avenue
31
Turn left onto TX 20
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
North Mesa Street
32
Arrive at destination
North Mesa Street
Trip Plan
To tackle this 669.6-mile route comfortably, prioritize an early departure on your first day to get ahead of traffic. Since you have three planned stops, space them out strategically to break up the monotonous stretches of I-10 and keep your energy levels high. Given the 11-hour and 18-minute duration, finding a midpoint to overnight is essential to avoid fatigued driving. Always keep an eye on your fuel gauge during the long 535.3-mile interstate segment, as service areas can be spaced far apart in the more remote sections of the Texas plains. Planning your stops around the $102 fuel budget will help you maintain a steady pace throughout the two-day itinerary.
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 3 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 334.8 miles from Refugio, TX, or about 5h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 535.3 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 147 miles or 2h 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 334.8 miles or 5h 56m 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 334.8 miles or 5h 56m
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 10h 20m
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 Refugio, 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 Refugio, TX
Aim for roughly 335 miles and 5.7 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into El Paso, TX
Aim for roughly 335 miles and 5.7 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 147 miles from Refugio, TX.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 3 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 10 for about 535.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 334.8 mi from Refugio, TX · 5h 56m into the drive
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
221 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
442 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 Big Lake, TXOvernight Options
Night 1
335 mi · about 5.7h in
A practical overnight split lands near San Antonio, TX after about 335 miles or 5.7 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 147 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 334.8 miles from Refugio, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 10 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 535.3 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 335 miles or 5.7 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
$101.18 one way
$202.36 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
234 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $110.75 | $221.50 |
| premium | $4.54 | $119.55 | $239.11 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $147.84 | $295.68 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$101
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$231–$341
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 234.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $70 in charging · 2 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 200.9 | 2 | $70.31 | $32.14 |
| Efficient EV | 167.4 | 1 | $58.59 | $26.78 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 267.8 | 3 | $93.74 | $42.85 |
Gas CO2
234 kg
EV CO2
78 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
Evening in El Paso on Wednesday
Local time
5:54 PM
MDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
60°F
Big Lake, TX
442 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
20 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
11h 18m 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 Refugio, TX to El Paso, TX covers 669.6 miles and takes about 11h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 10, TX 239, US Highway 183. 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 335 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 334.8 miles from Refugio, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $101.18 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 3 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 18 significant decision points across 669.6 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 116.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 118 miles (I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 118.9 miles (I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Refugio, TX to El Paso, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Alamodome along the way.
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