Origin
Texas City, TX
Afternoon in Texas City on Sunday
Local time
3:33 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Texas City, TX to El Paso, TX
Drive Time
13h 9m
Distance
785.2 mi
1,264 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$120
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
12h 57m
★
6 AM
13h 9m
8 AM
13h 33m
10 AM
13h 17m
12 PM
13h 15m
3 PM
13h 19m
5 PM
13h 32m
8 PM
13h 2m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Texas City, TX
Thomas balabaud
El Paso, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Spanning 785.2 miles across the state of Texas, this journey from Texas City to El Paso is a significant undertaking that requires roughly 13 hours and 9 minutes of pure drive time. Given the length, you should plan for at least two days on the road rather than attempting a grueling single-day haul. You will primarily utilize the Gulf Freeway, the Katy Freeway, and I-10, making this a straightforward navigation experience. Budget approximately $120 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Great Plains locations. While the route is efficient, its sheer scale means it is best approached as a multi-day road trip to ensure you arrive feeling refreshed.
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
392.6 miles from Texas City, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 6h 51m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a serious interstate grind, as 96% of this trip is spent on major highways. The route is dominated by a massive 538.4-mile stretch along I-10, which requires steady focus and endurance behind the wheel. Because you are traveling across the vast landscape of Texas, the drive maintains a consistent, high-speed pace throughout the journey. You won't encounter many technical local roads, as the infrastructure is designed for long-distance efficiency. Prepare for a repetitive, highway-heavy experience that demands patience as the miles tick by on the open road.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 26 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 538.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and Katy Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near 9th Avenue North.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 785.2 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 0.7 miles (9th Avenue North): Lane positioning matters here; at 42.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 218.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.7 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
9th Avenue North
Turn left onto 9th Avenue North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
42.2 mi into trip
|
~51m in
Take the exit toward I 10 West: San Antonio
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 48B
Toward I 10 West: San Antonio
7
218.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 54m in
Take the exit toward TX 1518: Schertz
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 591
Toward TX 1518: Schertz
6
224.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 5m in
|
FM 78 / Gordon A Blake Highway
At end of road, turn left onto FM 78 / Gordon A Blake Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
8
784.4 mi into trip
|
~13h 7m 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 Along This Route
On the drive from Texas City, TX to El Paso, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Loop 1604 North along the way.
Loop 1604 North
226.8 mi in
|
~4h 8m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 10 | 538.4 mi | 8h 36m |
| Katy Freeway | 174.7 mi | 3h 1m |
| Gulf Freeway | 32.7 mi | 37m |
| Anderson Loop | 20.4 mi | 22m |
| Emmett F Lowry Expressway | 5.8 mi | 7m |
| Farm-to-Market Road 1518 | 5.4 mi | 9m |
| Gordon A Blake Highway | 2 mi | 3m |
| Palmer Highway | 1.6 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 538.4 mi, about 8h 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Texas City, TX and El Paso, TX.
1
Start on this road
48 ft
·
8 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto Spur 197
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
6th Street
3
Turn left onto 9th Avenue North
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
9th Avenue North
Use the left lane.
4
Continue on FM 1764
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Palmer Highway
5
Continue on FM 1764
5.8 mi
·
7 min
·
Emmett F Lowry Expressway
Use the none lane.
6
Merge onto I 45
33 mi
·
37 min
·
Gulf Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Exit 48B
Toward I 10 West: San Antonio
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
8
Merge onto I 10; US 90
175 mi
·
3 hr 1 min
·
Katy Freeway
Use the none lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 90; TX 130
1.9 mi
·
1 min
·
I 10; US 90; TX 130
10
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Exit 591
Toward TX 1518: Schertz
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn straight onto Interstate 10 East
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
Interstate 10 East
12
Turn right onto FM 1518
5.4 mi
·
9 min
·
Farm-to-Market Road 1518
13
At end of road, turn left onto FM 78
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Gordon A Blake Highway
Use the none lane.
14
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
15
Take the ramp
265 ft
·
6 sec
Toward Loop 1604 North
16
Merge onto Loop 1604
20 mi
·
22 min
·
Anderson Loop
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Toward Frontage Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn straight onto North Loop 1604 West
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
North Loop 1604 West
19
Turn right onto Interstate 10 West
0.3 mi
·
24 sec
·
Interstate 10 West
20
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Toward I 10 West, US 87 North
21
Merge onto I 10; US 87
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
I 10; US 87
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
22
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 / none lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Exit 19B
Toward Missouri Avenue, Downtown
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Turn straight onto East Missouri Avenue
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
East Missouri Avenue
25
Turn left onto TX 20
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
North Mesa Street
26
Arrive at destination
North Mesa Street
Trip Plan
To manage the 785.2-mile distance effectively, plan for at least three strategic stops to break up the long hours in the driver's seat. Since you are facing such a high percentage of highway driving, consider leaving early in the morning to maximize your daylight hours and avoid heavy traffic near urban hubs. Given the 538.4-mile longest stretch on I-10, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge and don't wait until the last minute to refill, despite the $120 estimated cost. Breaking the trip into two days is the smartest way to pace yourself. Most importantly, stay alert during the long, uninterrupted stretches on I-10 where the scenery remains consistent for hundreds of miles.
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 392.6 miles from Texas City, TX, or about 6h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 538.4 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 173 miles or 3h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 392.6 miles or 6h 51m 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 392.6 miles or 6h 51m
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 12h 10m
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 Texas City, 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 Texas City, TX
Aim for roughly 393 miles and 6.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into El Paso, TX
Aim for roughly 393 miles and 6.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 173 miles from Texas City, 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 538.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 392.6 mi from Texas City, TX · 6h 51m into the drive
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
259 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
518 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
393 mi · about 6.6h in
A practical overnight split lands near San Antonio, TX after about 393 miles or 6.6 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 173 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 392.6 miles from Texas City, 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 538.4 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 393 miles or 6.6 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
$119.94 one way
$239.89 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
275 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $131.44 | $262.89 |
| premium | $4.59 | $141.92 | $283.85 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $174.44 | $348.89 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$120
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$250–$360
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 274.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $82 in charging · 2 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 235.6 | 2 | $82.45 | $37.69 |
| Efficient EV | 196.3 | 2 | $68.71 | $31.41 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 314.1 | 3 | $109.93 | $50.25 |
Gas CO2
275 kg
EV CO2
92 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
2:33 PM
MDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
78°F
Big Lake, TX
518 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
2 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
13h 9m 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 Texas City, TX to El Paso, TX covers 785.2 miles and takes about 13h 9m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 10, Katy Freeway, Gulf Freeway. 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 393 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 392.6 miles from Texas City, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $119.94 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 19 significant decision points across 785.2 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 0.7 miles (9th Avenue North): Lane positioning matters here; at 42.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 218.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Texas City, TX to El Paso, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Loop 1604 North along the way.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From El Paso, TX
More trips to El Paso, TX
Explore more options from Texas City, TX or browse trips ending in El Paso, TX.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.
Explore maps for Texas City, TX or El Paso, TX on MapSof.net.