Car Hire
El Paso Airport

Once you have landed and collected your luggage, head to the main baggage reclaim area on the lower level of the terminal. The rental car desks for most major agencies are conveniently located together in this hall. You will see clear overhead signage directing you to the "Rental Cars" section. This centralised location lets you complete the necessary paperwork and get your rental agreement before heading out to collect your vehicle.

El Paso International Airport has a very convenient set-up where rental cars are in a consolidated facility directly adjacent to the terminal. After completing your paperwork at the desk, you can walk a short distance to the multi-storey car park where the vehicles are staged. There is no need to take a shuttle bus, which streamlines the process and helps you get on your way more quickly after a long flight.

While every traveller’s experience can vary, a realistic timeline from the aircraft door to driving away at ELP on a weekday afternoon is typically between 45 and 75 minutes. This includes disembarking, walking to baggage reclaim, waiting for your luggage, and completing the rental paperwork. The process at ELP is generally efficient, but timings can be influenced by how many other flights land at the same time. Having your reservation details and driving licence ready will help speed things up at the desk.

Arriving late at night at ELP is generally straightforward, as the airport is well lit and clearly signed. The rental car desks are in the main baggage reclaim area, which you will naturally pass through. The walk to the adjacent rental car car park is also covered and well illuminated. With fewer travellers around, the process can often feel calmer and quicker, allowing you to get on the road with minimal delay or confusion.

The most practical meeting point for a group arriving on different flights is the baggage reclaim area, specifically near the rental car desks. This central location serves multiple purposes: it’s where everyone will end up to collect their luggage, and it’s where the driver will need to be to sort the rental agreement. Once everyone has gathered and collected their bags, you can all head to the rental car car park together to pick up the vehicle.

The best place to wait is in the baggage reclaim hall, near the carousels and the rental car desks. While the designated driver completes the rental paperwork, the rest of the group can keep an eye on the luggage. Once the driver has the keys and the vehicle location, they can easily find everyone in the same area. From there, you can all walk together to the adjacent car park to load up, so no one gets left behind.

Your rental agreement will state the exact location of your vehicle, typically including a level and a bay or zone number. The rental car car park at ELP is well organised with clear, colour-coded or numbered signage for each level, aisle and space. Follow the overhead signs to the correct floor, then look for the row and bay number shown on your rental documents. This system is designed to reduce confusion and help you find your car efficiently.

Before leaving the rental car car park, it’s often easiest to get organised in your assigned parking bay. However, if you’d rather do it after exiting, the airport has a cell phone lot located about a minute’s drive from the rental facility. This is a safe, designated area to pull over without traffic pressure. It’s ideal for entering your destination into the sat nav, connecting your phone to the car’s system, and making any final adjustments.

The most important decision point immediately after leaving the airport is navigating the interchange from Airway Boulevard onto Interstate 10. You’ll need to decide quickly whether you want I-10 East (towards downtown and San Antonio) or I-10 West (towards Las Cruces and the West Side). The signs appear fairly soon after you exit the main airport loop, so it helps to know your direction of travel in advance to avoid a last-minute lane change.

The most direct route to Downtown El Paso is simple and well signed. From the airport, follow signs for Airway Boulevard, which leads directly to the on-ramps for Interstate 10. Take I-10 East. Stay on the interstate for just a few miles and you’ll see several clearly marked exits for downtown, such as the "Downtown" or "Stanton Street" exits. This route involves minimal complex merging and is the standard way to reach the city centre.

For a visitor heading to the West Side, the route is very straightforward. After leaving the airport, follow signs from Airway Boulevard to join Interstate 10 West, in the direction of Las Cruces. Stay on I-10 for several miles as it curves around the southern edge of the Franklin Mountains. Mesa Street is a major thoroughfare, and the exits for it from I-10 are large and clearly marked, making it an easy landmark to navigate towards.

During typical commuter hours, generally from 7:00-9:00 and 16:00-18:00, traffic on I-10 through El Paso can become congested, particularly around the downtown and West Side interchanges. While it can slow considerably, it rarely comes to a complete standstill for extended periods as it might in larger cities. As an out-of-town driver, it’s sensible to allow an extra 15 to 20 minutes during these peak windows and pay close attention to merging traffic.

In El Paso, as across much of Texas, major motorways like I-10 are flanked by parallel frontage roads that provide access to local businesses. A particularly helpful feature is the "Texas U-turn": a dedicated lane under motorway overpasses that lets you make a U-turn to travel in the opposite direction on the frontage road without waiting at traffic lights. Visitors sometimes get caught out by not realising these lanes exist, instead making less efficient turns at busy junctions.

To reach the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), take I-10 West from the airport area towards the Schuster Avenue or Sun Bowl Drive exits, which provide the most direct access to campus. The university has several large multi-storey car parks designated for visitors, such as the Sun Bowl Parking Garage. It’s best to identify the car park closest to your specific destination on campus in advance. Parking is typically paid by the hour at automated kiosks or via a mobile app.

Visiting Scenic Drive is a classic El Paso experience with an easy driving plan. The most common approach is from the west via Rim Road, which winds up the mountain. As you climb, you’ll find several small pull-offs for photos, but the main destination is the Murchison Park overlook at the top. This area has a dedicated car park where you can safely leave your vehicle, get out, and enjoy panoramic views of El Paso and Juárez.

The most accessible part of Franklin Mountains State Park by car is the Tom Mays Unit, which is easily reached via Transmountain Road (Loop 375). This section of the park provides access to many popular trailheads and picnic areas. The main car parks near the visitor centre and major trails can fill up quickly, especially on weekend mornings. To secure a good spot, it’s strongly recommended to arrive before 9:00 on a Saturday or Sunday.

The drive to Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site is a direct route east from El Paso. Take Montana Avenue, which becomes US Highway 62/180, and follow it for about 30 miles before turning onto Hueco Tanks Road. It’s crucial to know that access to the park is limited to protect its fragile resources, and reservations are almost always required well in advance. On arrival, you’ll check in at the visitor centre for a mandatory orientation before being allowed to explore.

A day trip to White Sands is very manageable and involves a scenic desert drive. The most direct route is to take US-54 East out of El Paso, heading north towards Alamogordo, New Mexico. The drive takes about 90 minutes to two hours. A good plan is to stop in Alamogordo for fuel, water and snacks before driving the final 15 miles west to the park entrance. The route is well signed, and the park has a main scenic drive with numerous pull-offs and parking areas for exploring the dunes.

A great plan is to take I-10 West from El Paso straight to the Mesilla exit (NM-28). Start by exploring the historic Old Mesilla Plaza, where you’ll find plenty of free on-street parking and public lots. After Mesilla, it’s a short 10-minute drive into central Las Cruces for lunch or further exploring. From there, it’s easy to rejoin I-10 East for a simple, direct drive back to El Paso, making for an efficient and enjoyable loop.

Crossing the state line between Texas and New Mexico by car is seamless, with no stops or checkpoints. Your GPS will work normally as you travel from one state to the other, and you may only notice a "Welcome to New Mexico" sign. Speed limits and road conditions are comparable, so you can follow your navigation as you would on any other drive. It’s a very common and easy trip for locals and visitors alike.

Fort Bliss is a very large military installation, and visitors should be aware that access is controlled through specific gates. Use one of the main visitor access control points, such as the Buffalo Soldier Gate, and be prepared to present identification. GPS can sometimes be unreliable once on post, so it helps to know the main road name you need, such as Cassidy Road or Robert E. Lee Road. Following the official on-post signage is often more reliable than relying solely on a navigation app.

When exploring the Downtown Arts District, the most convenient option is to use one of the many public multi-storey car parks or surface lots around the area. The Union Plaza Transit Terminal garage is a popular, centrally located choice. While metered on-street parking is available, it can be harder to find at busy times and often has time limits. Using a garage allows you to park once and explore museums, theatres and galleries on foot without worrying about topping up a meter.

At weekends, parking near the El Paso Museum of Art and other downtown attractions is generally manageable, though it can get busy during special events. The most reliable options are the many paid parking garages, such as the one next to the convention centre or near the Plaza Theatre. These provide secure, convenient parking and allow you to walk to the museum, San Jacinto Plaza and other nearby points of interest. Arriving earlier in the day can make it easier to find a space.

The El Paso Zoo has a large dedicated car park, but it can fill up quickly on popular weekend days. To make parking as easy as possible, plan to arrive within the first hour of the zoo opening, typically around 09:30 or 10:00. This gives you a prime spot close to the entrance before the midday crowds arrive. If you arrive later in the afternoon, you may need to park further away or wait for a space to open up.

The Outlet Shoppes are in Canutillo, just off I-10 west of El Paso. The drive is straightforward: take I-10 West and use Exit 2 for Talbot Avenue/Transmountain Road. The key is to stay on the frontage road and follow the large, clear signs into the shopping centre entrance. The outlets have a massive open-air car park, so finding a space is rarely an issue; the main task is simply taking the dedicated entrance ramp correctly.

During periods of high wind, which can create dust storms known as haboobs, visibility can be significantly reduced. Open, exposed stretches of road such as I-10 east of the city or US-54 north are often most affected. If you encounter these conditions, reduce your speed, switch on your headlights and increase your following distance. If visibility becomes dangerously low, it’s safest to pull over as far off the road as possible, switch off all lights, and wait for the storm to pass.

Intense desert sun can create significant glare, especially at sunrise and sunset. The most challenging times are when driving east in the morning or west in the late afternoon, as the sun will be directly in your line of sight. A good pair of sunglasses is essential for driving in El Paso. It also helps to keep your windscreen clean inside and out, as smears can worsen glare and reduce visibility.

Driving in El Paso at night is generally straightforward, as major roads like I-10 and Loop 375 are well lit and have reflective signage. Motorway exits within the city are well spaced and clearly signposted in advance, giving you plenty of time to change lanes. However, once you’re on more rural roads outside the city limits, lighting can be minimal. It’s sensible to stay extra alert and rely on your GPS for upcoming turns when driving in unfamiliar areas after dark.

A mid-size saloon or a compact SUV typically offers the best balance for driving in El Paso. These vehicles are large enough to feel stable and comfortable for motorway travel to places like the mountains or White Sands. At the same time, they’re manoeuvrable enough for downtown streets and fit easily into standard spaces in car parks and shopping centre lots. This versatility makes them a practical choice for the varied driving you’re likely to do in the region.

If you have a lot of luggage, it’s sensible to check the vehicle’s cargo space before leaving the rental area. For SUVs, look for a deep, wide load area without intrusive wheel arches that reduce usable space. For saloons, open the boot to confirm it has a large, practical opening and a flat floor. Don’t hesitate to do a quick test fit with your largest bags to make sure everything fits comfortably, avoiding a frustrating reshuffle later in the trip.

The most practical and safest place to install car seats is in your assigned parking bay within the rental car car park. This keeps you out of the flow of moving traffic and gives you the time and space to secure seats properly without feeling rushed. You can get the kids settled and organised before loading your luggage and setting off. The covered car park also provides welcome shade from the El Paso sun.

Before you drive off, take a few minutes for a quick check. First, make sure the air conditioning is blowing cold, as it’s essential in El Paso’s climate. Do a walk-around to note any existing scratches or dents on the rental agreement. Finally, confirm the fuel level on the gauge matches what’s stated in your contract. Sorting any of these items before leaving can save significant time and hassle later.

If your navigation fails, the key road to know is Airway Boulevard, the main route out of the airport. Follow signs for Airway, which will take you straight to the Interstate 10 interchange. From there, look for the large green signs for "I-10 East" towards Downtown and San Antonio, or "I-10 West" towards the West Side and Las Cruces, New Mexico. These two directions are the primary ways out of the airport area.

For convenient stops after collecting your car, leave the airport via Airway Boulevard. Just before the I-10 interchange, there are several shopping centres with grocery stores, pharmacies and fast-food options. This area is designed for easy access, letting you quickly pick up snacks, water and any other supplies you need. Turning onto Montana Avenue also offers plenty of retail options without the risk of getting pulled back into airport traffic loops.

There’s a high concentration of petrol stations on Airway Boulevard, the main road into El Paso International Airport. As you approach the airport entrance, you’ll see multiple well-known brands with large signs and easy in-and-out access. These stations are ideally placed for a quick, low-stress refuel before continuing to the rental car return area, so you don’t have to go out of your way.

The most common mistake is staying in the main lanes for "Departures" or "Arrivals" for too long. The "Rental Car Return" entrance is a specific, well-marked exit from the main airport road. To avoid missing it, move into the correct lane as soon as you see the first rental return signs. Missing the turn often means you have to loop all the way around the airport again, so paying close attention as you approach the terminal is essential.

The airport layout makes this very simple. First, follow the main airport road and stay in the "Departures" lane to drop off passengers and luggage at the upper-level kerb. Once they’re on their way, continue following the loop road. As you come back around towards the terminal entrance, move into the lane for "Rental Car Return". The signage will guide you directly to the return facility without needing to leave the airport grounds.

At ELP the process is very convenient. The rental car return is in the multi-storey car park directly opposite the main terminal building. After you’ve dropped off your vehicle and completed the return, simply walk out of the car park and across a covered pedestrian walkway. This leads you straight into the terminal’s main hall, where the airline check-in desks are clearly visible and arranged alphabetically.

While the car return itself is usually very quick early in the morning, the parts that can take longer than expected are the walk back to the terminal and, most importantly, airline check-in and security queues. Even if the rental desk isn’t busy, the TSA security checkpoint can have long lines, especially for the first wave of morning departures. It’s wise to return your car and be inside the terminal at least 90 minutes to two hours before your flight departs.

A good weekend strategy is to use your rental car for destinations outside the city centre and explore downtown on foot. Use the car for a scenic drive up the Franklin Mountains or a day trip to a nearby attraction like White Sands. When you want to visit the downtown arts district or museums, drive there once and park for the day in a central car park. This reduces the time spent hunting for parking and lets you enjoy the best of both worlds.