Routes, Drive Times & Road Tips to Big BendBig Bend sits deep in far West Texas. Whether you’re coming from El Paso, Midland/Odessa, San Antonio, Austin, Houston, or Dallas/Fort Worth, choose the route that matches your arrival town and the part of the park you want...
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
Explore other starting points:
Author: Edison
visitbigbend
Chisos Basin to remain open in Big Bend National Park. 🙌
With construction plans on hold, the previously anticipated closures will no longer take place, which means that winding road into the mountains will stay open and ready to welcome visitors.
Those who know, know: when summer heat settles over the desert, the Chisos Basin answers with fresh breezes, cooler temps and shaded trails.
Visit nps.gov for more information.
We love Big Bend Country for its wide-open beauty, rich culture, outdoor access, and the communities that call this region home.
Visit Big Bend aligns with the Brewster County Commissioners Court resolution expressing concern over a proposed physical border wall in the Big Bend region and supporting solutions that protect the land, the visitor experience, and the long-term well-being of this place. Full resolution at the link in bio.
We love this land. 💜✌️
Photo by @marcusc_photo
A little current, big canyon walls, and a shoreline snack break whenever you feel like it, that’s a Rio Grande adventure in Big Bend National Park. If your week has been loud, consider this your reminder to trade the to-do list for a paddle. Wear your PFD, bring plenty of water, and don’t forget sunscreen. We’ll provide the slower pace! Wonderful shot by @marcusc_photo
#visitbigbend #bigbendnps #bigbendnationalpark
More Big Bend National Park through the eyes of @goodmorningamerica!
Full piece linked in bio.
@bigbendnps
#bigbendnationalpark #visitbigbend
Really exciting news: Michael Strahan’s Big Bend adventure aired on Good Morning America this morning, and it’s a love letter to two of our favorite things: pitch-black night skies and a canoe trip through Santa Elena Canyon.
Check out the first @goodmorningamerica piece about our stunning dark skies here where photographer @tonymaples gives @michaelstrahan a front row seat to the Milky Way. Full piece linked in bio!
#BigBend #BigBendNPS #BigBendNationalPark #HikeTexas #TravelTexas #WestTexas #Marfa #MarathonTX #TerlinguaTX #TexasTravel #DarkSkies #Terlingua #VisitBigBend #VBB #BigBendNP @nationalparkservice
Out here, even the horses know how to take their time.
Photo by @marcusc_photo
Out here, the places that last usually aren’t trying to impress anyone. Chili Pepper Cafe is humble, local, and exactly what it claims to be, made-in-house Mexican food done right. Huevos a la Mexicana, beans that deserve their own fan club, and service with some real personality.
If you’re rolling through and ready to eat, start here.
@backpackermag put Lost Mine Trail on “Hike of the Week.” We won’t argue with that.
This is one of those Big Bend walks that starts out polite and ends with you standing very still, looking a long way into the Chisos, remembering you are small and lucky.
If you go, start early, parking is limited, carry more water than you think you need, and leave it better than you found it. Then come back and tell us what the view had to say.
Link to Backpacker article in bio.
#BigBend #BigBendNPS #BigBendNationalPark #HikeTexas #TravelTexas #WestTexas #Marfa #MarathonTX #TerlinguaTX #TexasTravel #LostMineTrail #ChisosMountains #LeaveNoTrace #HikingTexas #VisitBigBend #VBB
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