The distance from Abilene TX to El Paso by car is 453 miles, with a 6h33m driving time. The best road trip stops on the Abilene to El Paso drive are Midland TX, Odessa TX and Balmorhea State Park.
Planning an Abilene to El Paso road trip itinerary
The Abilene TX to El Paso TX drive takes you to the biggest city in western Texas.
The first port of call for many visitors in Abilene TX is Frontier Texas, a museum about life in the Old West. Unlike many dreary local history museums, Frontier Texas uses state of the art technology to be as interactive as possible, and the scope is much grander than the immediate local region.
Elsewhere, the Grace Museum inside a grand former hotel covers art and local history.
The other really interesting attraction in Abilene TX is the National Center For Children’s Illustrated Literature, which collects the original artwork from beloved children’s books.
For Abilene accommodation deals, compare prices here.
El Paso has plenty of stories behind it, some of which are covered on the ghosts, cowboys and outlaws tour. You can also explore the surrounding landscape on a UTV adventure tour, or going biking, hiking and rock-climbing in Franklin Mountains State Park.
As for other El Paso attractions, the Border Patrol Museum looks at the work of those who monitor the US’ borders, with a little bit too much emphasis on weaponry. The El Paso Museum of Archaeology, meanwhile, looks at the prehistory of the South West.
For El Paso accommodation, try the style-drenched Plaza Hotel Pioneer Park for a special occasion and the Springhill Suites for good value with a pool.
Abilene to El Paso distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Abilene TX to El Paso is 453 miles. You can expect a driving time of around six hours and 33 minutes. The quickest route is via the I-20 and I-10.
The best stops to add to an Abilene to El Paso road trip are Midland TX, Odessa TX and Balmorhea State Park.
Best stops between Abilene TX and El Paso: Midland TX
Midland TX is very much an oil town, and life revolves around the oil industry. The Permian Basin Petroleum Museum looks at why the oil is there in the first place, and how the region has developed. The city also plays host to the Museum of the Southwest, which covers art, science and regional history. The museum also has a planetarium.
For Midland accommodation options, hunt here.
Abilene TX to El Paso road trip attractions: Odessa TX
Odessa TX plays host to an ancient meteor crater, which has shifted in shape and size over the centuries. It’s currently about 15ft deep and 550ft wide, with a museum about the history of the crater next to it.
Otherwise, the top attraction is on the University of Texas of the Permian Basin campus, where there is a replica of Stonehenge.
Most Odessa hotels are unexciting, but good value. Find the best deals here.
Abilene to El Paso drive: Balmorhea State Park
Balmorhea State Park in Toyahvale TX is home to the world’s largest spring-fed swimming pool. More than 15 million gallons of water flow through this 1.3 million acre pool on a daily basis, fed by the San Solomon Springs. It’s naturally heated, too, with the water temperature at a steady 72 to 76 degrees all year. It’s also possible to go Scuba diving here.
More Texas road trips
- Where to stop on the El Paso to Albuquerque drive, El Paso to Santa Fe drive, El Paso to Tucson drive and El Paso to Phoenix drive.
- Best stops on the Dallas to Amarillo drive and the Fort Worth to Amarillo drive.
- Where to stop on the Dallas to Lubbock drive.
- The best stops on the Abilene to Fort Worth drive, Abilene to Lubbock drive and Abilene to Amarillo drive.
- Best stops on the Amarillo to Albuquerque drive and Lubbock to Albuquerque drive.
