How far is McAllen, TX from El Paso, TX?
The driving distance from McAllen, TX to El Paso, TX is about 791.3 miles (1273.4 km), with a travel time of about 11h 15m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 629.2 miles (1012.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 22h 31m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM CDT.
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 11h 15m.
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.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between McAllen and El Paso.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between McAllen and El Paso.
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1
Start on West Business 83
7 m · 4 sec · West Business 83
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2
Turn right onto North 10th Street
1 mi · 2 min · North 10th Street
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3
Turn right onto Pecan Boulevard
1.6 mi · 3 min · Pecan Boulevard
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4
Continue on West Ferguson Avenue
1.3 mi · 2 min · West Ferguson Avenue
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5
Turn left onto North Cage Boulevard
531 ft · 11 sec · North Cage Boulevard
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6
Take the ramp straight toward I 69C North, US 281 North
78.7 mi · 1 hr 24 min
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7
Keep slight right
70.2 mi · 1 hr 20 min
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8
Keep slight left to continue on Nueces Street
14.7 mi · 19 min · Nueces Street
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9
Continue straight
1199 ft · 16 sec
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10
Take the exit straight
68.3 mi · 1 hr 11 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward Cesar Estrada Chavez Boulevard, Alamodome
1054 ft · 28 sec
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12
Turn left onto East César E. Chávez Boulevard
1.4 mi · 3 min · East César E. Chávez Boulevard
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13
Take the ramp straight toward I 10 West, I 35 North
1303 ft · 32 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto South Pan Am Expressway
28 m · 1 sec · South Pan Am Expressway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward I 10 West, US 87 North: El Paso
1.4 km · 1 min · McDermott Freeway
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16
Keep slight left to continue on McDermott Freeway
14.6 mi · 17 min · McDermott Freeway
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17
Keep slight right
535.3 mi · 8 hr 34 min
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18
Take the exit slight right toward Missouri Avenue, Downtown
851 ft · 21 sec
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19
Turn straight onto East Missouri Avenue
1799 ft · 49 sec · East Missouri Avenue
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20
Turn left onto North Mesa Street
1398 ft · 27 sec · North Mesa Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Mesa Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between McAllen and El Paso.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
McDermott Freeway
Keep slight right
535 mi · 08h 34m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving McAllen and Mostly Sunny near El Paso.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from McAllen to El Paso?
The road trip is about 791.3 miles (1273.4 km) and usually takes 11h 15m 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 394.9 miles from McAllen and 396.4 miles from El Paso.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 629.2 miles (1012.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 162.1 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 CDT. 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 $105.51 one way or $211.02 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 248.1 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between McAllen and El Paso, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around McAllen and Mostly Sunny near El Paso.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between McAllen and El Paso. Straight-line distance: 629.22 mi (1012.63 km).
#1 McAllen
The second most populous city in Hidalgo County, Texas.
| Population | 143,751 |
| Coordinates | 26.2034100, -98.2300100 |
| Altitude | 37 |
| Country | United States |
#2 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 |
End: North Mesa Street (-106.487016, 31.758664)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 1273 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 26h 21m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 19h 46m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 15h 49m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 13h 11m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 11h 18m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 09h 52m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $105.51 | $211.02 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $118.72 | $237.43 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $128.18 | $256.36 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $111.48 | $222.97 |
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.