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Trip from Wichita Falls, TX to El Paso, TX

Drive Time

10h 8m

Distance

552.6 mi

889 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$84

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 27 min
4 AM
9h 59m ★
6 AM
10h 8m
8 AM
10h 26m
10 AM
10h 15m
12 PM
10h 13m
3 PM
10h 15m
5 PM
10h 25m
8 PM
10h 3m

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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Downtown Wichita Falls, TX, TX

Wichita Falls, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown El Paso, TX, TX

El Paso, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Wichita Falls, TX to El Paso, TX covers 552.6 miles and takes about 10h 8m behind the wheel. It usually feels better as a 2-day road trip than as one long push.

The route leans on US Highway 62, US Highway 82 West, Hobbs Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is long-distance drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 102.3 miles on US Highway 62. At current regular gas prices, budget about $84.41 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

276.3 miles from Wichita Falls, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 5h 1m into the drive .

Drive Character

At 552.6 miles and 10h 8m of driving, this is a route where fuel stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single turn. The main roads are US Highway 62 and US Highway 82 West.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 41 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US Highway 62 is the longest continuous segment at about 102.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

At 10h 8m, this is a long-haul route where pacing matters more than any single turn. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.8 miles in.

Route Complexity 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 552.6 miles you will encounter 12 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: at 1.8 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 49.6 miles (US 82): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 52 miles (US 82; TX 114 / East California Street): Navigation decision point.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 12 key points

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

4
1.8 mi into trip | ~3m in

Take the ramp toward US 82 West, US 277 North

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 82 West, US 277 North
5
49.6 mi into trip | ~56m in | US 82

Take the exit onto US 82 toward US 82, US 183 Business: Seymour, Lubbock

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

Toward US 82, US 183 Business: Seymour, Lubbock
4
52 mi into trip | ~59m in | US 82; TX 114 / East California Street

Turn right onto US 82; TX 114 / East California Street

Navigation decision point

5
548.2 mi into trip | ~10h 1m in | I 10

Merge onto I 10

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
551.8 mi into trip | ~10h 6m 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 Wichita Falls, TX to El Paso, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Lubbock along the way.

Lubbock

49.6 mi in | ~56m | via US 82

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US Highway 62 102.3 mi 1h 46m
US Highway 82 West 93.5 mi 1h 38m
Hobbs Highway 47.9 mi 53m
Seagraves Road 40.4 mi 42m
West Carlsbad Highway 39.6 mi 45m
Seymour Highway 34 mi 37m
National Parks Highway 33.5 mi 37m
US Highway 82 33.5 mi 35m
Longest stretch: US Highway 62 — 102.3 mi, about 1h 46m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on US 287 Bus

0.7 mi · 1 min · Scott Avenue
2

Turn right onto Spur 447

0.2 mi · 22 sec · Kell Boulevard
3

Continue on Spur 447

0.9 mi · 1 min · Kell West Boulevard
4

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 22 sec
Toward US 82 West, US 277 North
5

Merge onto US 82; US 277

6.9 mi · 8 min · Kell Freeway
6

Continue on US 82; US 277

34 mi · 37 min · Seymour Highway
7

Continue on US 82; US 183; US 277; US 283

6.7 mi · 6 min · US 82; US 183; US 277; US 283
8

Take the exit onto US 82

0.4 mi · 52 sec · US 82
Toward US 82, US 183 Business: Seymour, Lubbock
9

Turn right onto US 82; US 183 Business; US 277 Business; US 283 Business

1.5 mi · 1 min · US Highway 82
10

Continue on US 82; US 183 Business; US 277 Business; US 283 Business

0.6 mi · 45 sec · North Main Street
11

Turn right onto US 82; TX 114

1.6 mi · 1 min · East California Street
12

Continue on US 82; TX 114

93 mi · 1 hr 38 min · US Highway 82 West
13

Continue on US 82; TX 114

24 mi · 25 min · West Highway 82
14

Continue on US 82; TX 114

1.0 mi · 1 min · East Main Street
15

Continue on US 82; TX 114

7.3 mi · 7 min · US Highway 82
16

Continue on US 82; TX 114

1.0 mi · 1 min · 4th Street
17

Continue on US 82; TX 114

25 mi · 26 min · US Highway 82
18

Turn straight onto US 82

2.5 mi · 3 min · Parkway Drive
19

Continue on US 82

26 mi · 29 min · Marsha Sharp Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Continue on US 62; US 82

15 mi · 16 min · US 62; US 82
21

Continue on US 62; US 385

40 mi · 42 min · Seagraves Road
22

Turn right onto US 62; US 180

0.3 mi · 18 sec · West Avenue A
23

Continue on US 62; US 180

28 mi · 31 min · Hobbs Highway
24

Continue on US 62; US 180

1.3 mi · 1 min · North Marland Boulevard
25

Continue on US 62; US 180

0.6 mi · 44 sec · East Marland Street
26

Continue on US 62; US 180

2.5 mi · 2 min · West Marland Boulevard
27

Continue on US 62; US 180

40 mi · 45 min · West Carlsbad Highway
28

Continue on US 62; US 180

20 mi · 21 min · Hobbs Highway
29

Continue on US 62; US 180

6.5 mi · 8 min · East Greene Street
30

Turn left onto US 62; US 180; US 285

2.0 mi · 2 min · South Canal Street
31

Turn slight right onto US 62; US 180

34 mi · 37 min · National Parks Highway
32

Continue on US 62; US 180

102 mi · 1 hr 46 min · US Highway 62
33

Continue on US 62; US 180

21 mi · 27 min · Montana Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
34

Turn slight left onto US 62; US 180

0.5 mi · 40 sec · East Paisano Drive
35

Turn right onto US 180

163 ft · 3 sec · Gateway Boulevard West
36

Take the ramp onto US 180

0.2 mi · 25 sec · US 180
Toward I 10 West
37

Merge onto I 10

3.6 mi · 4 min · I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 20 sec
Exit 19B Toward Missouri Avenue, Downtown Use the straight / slight right lanes.
39

Turn straight onto East Missouri Avenue

0.3 mi · 49 sec · East Missouri Avenue
40

Turn left onto TX 20

0.3 mi · 27 sec · North Mesa Street
41

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 276.3 miles from Wichita Falls, TX, or about 5h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 102.3 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 122 miles or 2h 13m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 276.3 miles or 5h 1m 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 276.3 miles or 5h 1m

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 58m

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 Wichita Falls, 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 Wichita Falls, TX

Aim for roughly 276 miles and 5.1 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into El Paso, TX

Aim for roughly 276 miles and 5.1 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 122 miles from Wichita Falls, 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 US Highway 62 for about 102.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 276.3 mi from Wichita Falls, TX · 5h 1m into the drive

Downtown Lubbock, TX, TX

First major stop

Coffee and fuel

Lubbock, TX

182 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.

Popular next leg

Lubbock, TX to El Paso, TX

347.6 mi · 5h 36m

Downtown Pecos, TX, TX

Second major stop

Overnight candidate

Pecos, TX

365 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

Seminole, TX

276 mi · about 5.1h in

A practical overnight split lands near Seminole, TX after about 276 miles or 5.1 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Spur, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 122 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Seminole, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 276.3 miles from Wichita Falls, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US Highway 62 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 102.3 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 276 miles or 5.1 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.

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 552.6
View on nps.gov
Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Guadalupe Mountains National Park

National Park

Come experience mountains and canyons, desert and dunes, night skies and spectacular vistas within a place unlike any other. Guadalupe Mountains National Park protects the world's most extensive Permi...

8 mi from route ~20 min detour $10 near mile 438.3
View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$84.41 one way

$168.83 round trip

$3.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 193 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $92.51 $185.01
premium $4.59 $99.88 $199.76
diesel $5.64 $122.77 $245.54

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$84

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$214–$324

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 193.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $58 in charging · 2 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 165.8 2 $58.02 $26.52
Efficient EV 138.2 1 $48.35 $22.10
EV Truck/SUV 221 2 $77.36 $35.37

Gas CO2

193 kg

EV CO2

65 kg (66% 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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Wichita Falls, TX

Morning in Wichita Falls on Monday

Local time

9:16 AM

CDT

Current temp

58°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

El Paso, TX

Morning in El Paso on Monday

Local time

8:16 AM

MDT

Current temp

55°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

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 8m 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 Wichita Falls, TX to El Paso, TX covers 552.6 miles and takes about 10h 8m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US Highway 62, US Highway 82 West, Hobbs Highway. 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 276 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 276.3 miles from Wichita Falls, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $84.41 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 552.6 miles you will encounter 12 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: at 1.8 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 49.6 miles (US 82): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 52 miles (US 82; TX 114 / East California Street): Navigation decision point.
On the drive from Wichita Falls, TX to El Paso, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Lubbock along the way.

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