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Socorro Road: El Paso Mission Trail, El Paso Lower Valley, Texas
Photo: National Trails Office (US National Park Service)

Drives Texas Big Bend and West Texas

Socorro Road: El Paso Mission Trail

Socorro Road, FM 258 · Ysleta → San Elizario

Leisurely7.4 mi20 min0 ft climbHigh point ≈ 3,700 ftOne way
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The drive

Socorro Road follows the Rio Grande's old course through El Paso's lower valley and links three historic churches on the El Paso Mission Trail. It begins at Ysleta, runs southeast through the town of Socorro and ends at San Elizario. The land is flat, and the road bends through pecan orchards and adobe villages.

Franciscans established Ysleta about 1681 and Socorro about 1682. San Elizario became a military post, a presidio, in the late 1780s. A flood in 1829 changed the river's course and left these communities on the north bank. The present San Elizario chapel dates to the 1870s.

Ysleta and Socorro are still active parishes of the Catholic Diocese of El Paso. The trail is part of El Camino Real, a National Historic Trail. This is a relaxed drive, chosen for its history, not its curves.

Along the way

  1. Ysleta (Socorro Road)
  2. Socorro Mission
  3. San Elizario
Elevation
0 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 3,700 ft
YsletaSan Elizario
Curves
Mostly gentle curves
YsletaSan Elizario
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • Ysleta and Socorro are active parishes, so visiting hours can change; check before stopping.
  • Socorro Road is FM 258, a local road through towns rather than open country.
  • The Mission Trail is about nine miles long along Socorro Road.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check TxDOT DriveTexas.

Questions about this drive

How long is the El Paso Mission Trail along Socorro Road?

The drive on Socorro Road from Ysleta to San Elizario is 7.4 miles and takes about 20 minutes without stops.

Which missions are on the El Paso Mission Trail?

The trail links Ysleta Mission, Socorro Mission and the San Elizario presidio chapel along Socorro Road (FM 258).

Which is the oldest mission on Socorro Road?

Ysleta, established about 1681, is the oldest of the three; Socorro followed about 1682 and San Elizario became a presidio in the late 1780s.

What you get in the app

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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Socorro Road: El Paso Mission Trail, from Ysleta to San Elizario