El Paso to Big Bend: Best Routes, Drive Times & Road Tips
From mountain desert to river canyons, the drive from El Paso to Big Bend is a classic West Texas road trip. Plan for about 5½–6½ hours behind the wheel and roughly 300–340 miles, depending on your route and first stop (Terlingua/Study Butte, Panther Junction, or Marathon).
Primary Route: I-10 East → US-90 East (Marfa & Alpine)
The most scenic and flexible option—great if you want access to either park entrance.
- El Paso → Van Horn (I-10E): ~120 miles
- Van Horn → Marfa (US-90E): ~74 miles
- Marfa → Alpine (US-90E): ~26 miles
- From Alpine, choose your gateway:
- Western Entrance (Maverick): TX-118 south ~78 miles to Study Butte/Terlingua; continue 3 miles to the park entrance. Ideal for Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive and River Road (FM 170).
- Eastern Entrance (Persimmon Gap): Continue US-90 ~31 miles to Marathon, then US-385 south ~30 miles to the park’s east entrance; ~40 miles more to Panther Junction.
Faster to the East Side: I-10 East → Fort Stockton → US-385
Best when your target is Panther Junction or the Chisos Basin and you want steady highway speeds.
- El Paso → Fort Stockton (I-10E): ~240–250 miles
- Fort Stockton → Marathon (US-385S): ~58 miles
- Marathon → Persimmon Gap (US-385S): ~30 miles; then ~40 miles to Panther Junction
Estimated Drive Times & Distances
- El Paso → Terlingua/Study Butte (via Alpine/TX-118): ≈ 300 miles, ~5½–6 hours
- El Paso → Panther Junction (via Marathon/US-385): ≈ 330–340 miles, ~6–6½ hours
- El Paso → Marathon (via US-90 or I-10/US-385): ≈ 250–300 miles, ~4½–5½ hours
Actual times vary with traffic, construction, weather, and stops.
Great Stops Along the Way
- Marfa: Artsy downtown and wide-open sky vistas.
- Alpine: Last big supply stop before the park—fuel, food, and gear.
- Marathon: Gateway to the east entrance; grab coffee and top off your tank.
Road Tips, Fuel & Safety
- Top off often: Services thin out east of Alpine and south of Marathon; plan fuel in Alpine, Marathon, and Study Butte/Terlingua.
- Inside the park: Speed limit is generally 45 mph (lower where posted). Distances are long—budget time.
- Navigation: Cell coverage is spotty. Download offline maps and carry a paper map as backup.
- Heat & hydration: Carry at least one gallon of water per person per day, even in cooler months.
- Wildlife: Watch for deer, javelina, and livestock—especially at dawn and dusk.
Need a Car?
Flying some of the way or meeting friends en route? See Vehicle Rentals to Big Bend for options from El Paso, Midland, and Alpine.
More Route Guides
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