How far is El Paso, TX from Ames, TX?
The driving distance from El Paso, TX to Ames, TX is about 790.1 miles (1271.6 km), with a travel time of about 13h 11m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 705.7 miles (1135.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 26h 23m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM MDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 13h 11m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between El Paso and Ames.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between El Paso and Ames.
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1
Start on North Mesa Street
1071 ft · 24 sec · North Mesa Street
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2
Turn right onto East Franklin Avenue
995 ft · 26 sec · East Franklin Avenue
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3
Take the ramp straight toward I 10 East
2078 ft · 51 sec
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4
Merge slight left
166.8 mi · 2 hr 43 min
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5
Keep slight right
363.5 mi · 5 hr 45 min
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6
Keep slight right
5.4 mi · 6 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward Frontage Road
3038 ft · 1 min
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8
Turn straight onto Interstate 10 West
2629 ft · 54 sec · Interstate 10 West
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9
Turn left onto North Loop 1604 West
2164 ft · 43 sec · North Loop 1604 West
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10
Take the ramp straight toward Loop 1604 East
554 ft · 14 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto Anderson Loop
25.4 mi · 29 min · Anderson Loop
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12
Turn left onto Interstate 10 East
1.5 km · 2 min · Interstate 10 East
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13
Take the ramp slight left
852 ft · 21 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto 90th Infantry Division Highway
14.9 mi · 15 min · 90th Infantry Division Highway
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15
Continue on I 10 East: Houston, Austin, Waco
151.1 mi · 2 hr 34 min
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16
Take the exit slight left toward I 10 Toll: Katy Tollway
1548 ft · 22 sec
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17
Merge slight left onto Katy Tollway
3.2 mi · 4 min · Katy Tollway
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18
Take the exit slight right
1092 ft · 15 sec
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19
Merge slight right onto Katy Freeway
10.9 mi · 14 min · Katy Freeway
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20
Continue on East Freeway
5.8 mi · 7 min · East Freeway
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21
Keep slight right to continue on Crosby Freeway
4.5 mi · 6 min · Crosby Freeway
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22
Turn straight onto Crosby Freeway
1.7 mi · 2 min · Crosby Freeway
-
23
Take the exit straight toward US 90
1304 ft · 32 sec
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24
Continue on Crosby Freeway
9.2 mi · 11 min · Crosby Freeway
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25
Continue on Crosby Freeway
2.1 mi · 2 min · Crosby Freeway
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26
Continue on Beaumont Highway
5 mi · 6 min · Beaumont Highway
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27
Continue on US Highway 90
1.5 mi · 2 min · US Highway 90
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28
Continue on United States Highway 90 West
15 mi · 18 min · United States Highway 90 West
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29
Turn left onto Martin L King Street North
30 m · 3 sec · Martin L King Street North
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30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Martin L King Street North
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between El Paso and Ames.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 10 East
Keep slight right
363 mi · 05h 45m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Sunny leaving El Paso and Partly Sunny near Ames.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from El Paso to Ames?
The road trip is about 790.1 miles (1271.6 km) and usually takes 13h 11m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Sonora is a useful midpoint, sitting about 394.6 miles from El Paso and 395.5 miles from Ames.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 705.7 miles (1135.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 84.4 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 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM MDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $105.36 one way or $210.72 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 247.8 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between El Paso and Ames, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around El Paso and Partly Sunny near Ames.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between El Paso and Ames. Straight-line distance: 705.7 mi (1135.72 km).
#1 El Paso
The twenty-third most populous city in the United States and the center of the El Paso metropolitan area.
| Population | 681,534 |
| Coordinates | 31.7587200, -106.4869300 |
| Altitude | 1133 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Ames
City in Liberty County, Texas, United States
| Population | 1,064 |
| Coordinates | 30.0538300, -94.7435300 |
| Altitude | 22 |
| Country | United States |
End: Ames (-94.74353, 30.05383)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 1272 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 26h 19m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 19h 45m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 15h 48m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 13h 10m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 11h 17m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 09h 51m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $105.36 | $210.72 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $118.55 | $237.09 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $128.00 | $255.99 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $111.32 | $222.65 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.