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...
directions
Getting Here
Getting here can be half the fun, but not if you don’t plan well. Big Bend is one of the most remote areas of the lower 48 states. Because of this, it can be hard to visit, unless you have a good idea of how to get here and how to get around once you are here. Big Bend is a long way from major population centers, and public transportation connections are limited at best. Many people drive all the way, round trip. However, there are other alternatives that may save time, money and stress.
FlyCommercial planes do not land in Big Bend. The nearest airports with major airlines are Midland/Odessa, 235 miles from park headquarters, and El Paso, 330 miles from park headquarters. Midland lists American, Southwest, and United. El Paso lists more airlines, including Alaska, American, Delta, Frontier, Southwest, and United, and it is the longer drive. Rent the car at the airport. The park has no public transportation to it or inside it.
TrainAmtrak does not stop in the park. The nearest station is Alpine, 100 miles from park headquarters. Alpine is a stop on the Sunset Limited, which runs three days a week between New Orleans and Los Angeles. The Texas Eagle runs every day between Chicago and San Antonio, and cars that continue west are joined to the Sunset Limited in San Antonio. That connection can mean a layover. There is no public ride from the station into the park, so arrange a car before you arrive, and check Amtrak for the current days.
Vehicle rentalIf you fly, rent at the airport before the drive. Midland lists Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, and National inside the terminal. El Paso lists Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Payless, and Thrifty. Alpine does not have those counters. Trans-Pecos Jeeps in Alpine rents Jeep Gladiators and can deliver to the Amtrak station, Marathon, Study Butte, and Terlingua. Reserve that before you travel. You need the car for the whole visit, because the park has no public transportation.
MotorcyclesThe ride people come for is paved. FM 170, the River Road, follows the Rio Grande through Big Bend Ranch State Park. Inside the national park, Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive is 30 miles of overlooks toward Santa Elena Canyon, and the Chisos Basin Road climbs more than 2,000 feet on sharp curves. Do not confuse FM 170 with the park's dirt River Road. Check road conditions the day you ride. Primitive dirt roads need high clearance and true four-wheel drive.
FAQs
Can commercial planes land in Big Bend?
No. Nearest major airports are Midland/Odessa, 235 miles from park headquarters (American, Southwest, United), and El Paso, 330 miles (Alaska, American, Delta, Frontier, Southwest, United). Rent at the airport. There is no public transportation to the park or inside it.
Does the train stop in the park?
No. The nearest Amtrak station is Alpine, 100 miles from park headquarters, on the Sunset Limited (three days a week, New Orleans to Los Angeles). The Texas Eagle runs daily Chicago to San Antonio, and westbound cars join the Sunset Limited there, which can mean a layover. There is no public ride from the station into the park.
Where can I rent a car?
Midland: Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, National. El Paso: Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Payless, Thrifty. Alpine does not have those counters. Trans-Pecos Jeeps in Alpine can deliver to the Amtrak station, Marathon, Study Butte, and Terlingua. Reserve ahead. You need the car for the whole visit.
Can I ride a motorcycle there?
The paved ride is FM 170, the River Road, through Big Bend Ranch State Park. Inside the national park, Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive is 30 miles of overlooks, and Chisos Basin Road climbs more than 2,000 feet. Do not confuse FM 170 with the park's dirt River Road. Check road conditions the day you ride.