How long is the Big Bend & West Texas Loop from El Paso route?

This route takes 10 days taking in 7 stops.

Where does this route start and end?

The route runs from El Paso, Texas to El Paso, Texas in West Texas, United States.

When is the best time to travel this route?

The best time to travel this route is October to April.

How active is this route?

Activity level: Active. Moderately active — expect some walking and light physical activity.

What transport do I need for this route?

This route works best with a car or a campervan.

What budget do I need for this route?

Mid-range spending — expect comfortable accommodation and a mix of dining options.

What type of accommodation suits this route?

Mixed accommodation works well along this route.

What is the pace of this trip?

Balanced — a good mix of sightseeing and downtime.

What type of trip is this?

This route is well-suited to: Classic road trip, Scenic, Nature, Adventure, Culture.

Big Bend & West Texas Loop from El Paso

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The route · 7 stops

6 overnight bases · 1 stop on the way

El Paso

1 night

The loop's air gateway, where the Franklin Mountains split the city and the Rio Grande marks the border with Mexico. Collect the car, ride the Wyler Aerial Tramway or drive Scenic Drive for the valley view, then stock up before the long desert miles south. A practical first night to shake off travel.The loop's air gateway, where the Franklin Mountains split the city and the Rio Grande marks the border with Mexico. Collect the car, ride the Wyler Aerial Tramway or drive Scenic Drive for the valley view, then stock up before the long desert miles south. A practical first night to shake off travel.

Recommendations

5h 2m · 362 km drive to Fort Davis

Fort Davis

2 nights

The highest town in Texas at around 5,000 ft, set in the cool, oak-dotted Davis Mountains. Tour Fort Davis National Historic Site, drive the Davis Mountains Scenic Loop, and time an evening at McDonald Observatory for one of its Star Parties under some of the darkest skies in the country.The highest town in Texas at around 5,000 ft, set in the cool, oak-dotted Davis Mountains. Tour Fort Davis National Historic Site, drive the Davis Mountains Scenic Loop, and time an evening at McDonald Observatory for one of its Star Parties under some of the darkest skies in the country.

Recommendations

36m · 43 km drive to Marfa

Marfa

2 nights

A tiny high-desert town turned minimalist art capital. See Donald Judd's installations at the Chinati Foundation (book ahead), photograph Prada Marfa out on US-90, and watch for the unexplained Marfa Lights after dark. Galleries, good coffee and design hotels make it the trip's cultural heart.A tiny high-desert town turned minimalist art capital. See Donald Judd's installations at the Chinati Foundation (book ahead), photograph Prada Marfa out on US-90, and watch for the unexplained Marfa Lights after dark. Galleries, good coffee and design hotels make it the trip's cultural heart.

Recommendations

2h 26m · 175 km drive to Big Bend National Park

Big Bend National Park

3 nights

The wild climax of the loop, where desert, mountains and the Rio Grande meet. Hike the Chisos Basin to the Window, drive Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive to Santa Elena Canyon, and soak in the riverside hot springs. Base in Terlingua or the Chisos Basin and allow three nights for hikes, drives and stargazing.The wild climax of the loop, where desert, mountains and the Rio Grande meet. Hike the Chisos Basin to the Window, drive Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive to Santa Elena Canyon, and soak in the riverside hot springs. Base in Terlingua or the Chisos Basin and allow three nights for hikes, drives and stargazing.

Recommendations

1h 53m · 136 km drive to Marathon

Marathon

1 night

A one-street ranching town on the high grasslands and the quiet eastern gateway to Big Bend via Persimmon Gap. The historic Gage Hotel anchors it, with a good restaurant and dark skies overhead. An easy, characterful overnight as you turn back north toward the interstate.A one-street ranching town on the high grasslands and the quiet eastern gateway to Big Bend via Persimmon Gap. The historic Gage Hotel anchors it, with a good restaurant and dark skies overhead. An easy, characterful overnight as you turn back north toward the interstate.

Recommendations

3h 13m · 231 km drive to Van Horn

Van Horn

1 night

The I-10 crossroads where the loop rejoins the interstate, about an hour from Guadalupe Mountains National Park and its 8,751-ft peak. Stay at the restored 1930 Hotel El Capitan and break the long drive back toward El Paso. A simple, historic stop with big desert sunsets.The I-10 crossroads where the loop rejoins the interstate, about an hour from Guadalupe Mountains National Park and its 8,751-ft peak. Stay at the restored 1930 Hotel El Capitan and break the long drive back toward El Paso. A simple, historic stop with big desert sunsets.

Recommendations

On the way

El Paso
3h 11m · 229 km
Close the loop back in El Paso. The run up I-10 from Van Horn returns you to the airport and the city where you started. Drop the car, or add a final night for Mexican food in the historic district before flying out.Close the loop back in El Paso. The run up I-10 from Van Horn returns you to the airport and the city where you started. Drop the car, or add a final night for Mexican food in the historic district before flying out.
Recommendations

Big Bend & West Texas Loop from El Paso

The route · 7 stops

El Paso

Fort Davis

Marfa

Big Bend National Park

Marathon

Van Horn

El Paso

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