How far is Donna, TX from Elsa, TX?
The driving distance from Donna, TX to Elsa, TX is about 12.9 miles (20.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 20m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 9.3 miles (14.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 40m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 00h 20m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Census designated place
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Donna and Elsa.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Donna and Elsa.
-
1
Start on South 11th Street
7 m · 5 sec · South 11th Street
-
2
Turn right onto Hooks Avenue
2960 ft · 57 sec · Hooks Avenue
-
3
Turn left onto North Salinas Boulevard
1.2 km · 1 min · North Salinas Boulevard
-
4
Turn right onto Frontage Road
2993 ft · 60 sec · Frontage Road
-
5
Take the ramp slight left toward I 2 East, US 83 East
1033 ft · 25 sec
-
6
Merge slight left
1.5 mi · 2 min
-
7
Take the exit slight right toward FM 88: Texas Boulevard
1560 ft · 38 sec
-
8
Turn straight onto Frontage Road
1 km · 1 min · Frontage Road
-
9
Turn left onto North Texas Boulevard
7.8 mi · 12 min · North Texas Boulevard
-
10
Continue on South Broadway Street
2637 ft · 49 sec · South Broadway Street
-
11
Turn right onto Edinburg Avenue
18 m · 1 sec · Edinburg Avenue
-
12
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Edinburg Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Donna and Elsa.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
North Texas Boulevard
Turn left onto North Texas Boulevard
7.83 mi · 00h 12m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Mostly Sunny leaving Donna and Mostly Sunny near Elsa.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Donna to Elsa?
The road trip is about 12.9 miles (20.7 km) and usually takes 00h 20m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Midway North is a useful midpoint, sitting about 6.5 miles from Donna and 6.4 miles from Elsa.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 9.3 miles (14.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.6 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:50 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $1.70 one way or $3.40 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Donna and Mostly Sunny near Elsa.
Stop Ideas Near Midway North
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
San Juan City Sanitation Department
City of Edinburg
Triple City Bingo
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Midway North.
McAllen, Texas
Harlingen, Texas
Brownsville, Texas
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Donna and Elsa. Straight-line distance: 9.25 mi (14.89 km).
#1 Donna
City in Hidalgo County, Texas, United States
| Population | 16,316 |
| Coordinates | 26.1703500, -98.0519500 |
| Altitude | 28 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Elsa
City in Hidalgo County, Texas, United States
| Population | 7,120 |
| Coordinates | 26.2934000, -97.9930600 |
| Altitude | 21 |
| Country | United States |
End: Elsa (-97.99306, 26.2934)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 21 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 19m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 15m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 12m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 11m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $1.70 | $3.40 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $1.91 | $3.83 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $2.07 | $4.13 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $1.80 | $3.59 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Texas · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.