Origin
Arlington, TX
Morning in Arlington on Friday
Local time
9:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Arlington, TX to Odessa, TX
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 50m
Distance
335.6 mi
540 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$51
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 37m
★
6 AM
5h 50m
8 AM
6h 17m
10 AM
6h 0m
12 PM
5h 57m
3 PM
6h 1m
5 PM
6h 15m
8 PM
5h 43m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Arlington, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Odessa, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 335.6-mile drive from Arlington, TX to Odessa, TX is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can comfortably be completed in a single day, taking approximately 5 hours and 50 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-20, with brief segments on West Freeway and Tom Landry Freeway at the start, this route keeps you on major roads for 99% of the trip. With an estimated fuel cost of $51, it's an economical option for traversing the Great Plains region of Texas. This is a classic West Texas road trip, ideal for those who prefer to cover distance efficiently rather than seeking out numerous roadside attractions.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
167.8 miles from Arlington, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 58m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 50m. Total distance: 335.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience for almost the entire 335.6 miles, with a significant 99% of the journey on major interstates. The bulk of your travel will be on I-20, including an uninterrupted stretch of 303.8 miles. This means you'll be in a consistent driving rhythm for the majority of the trip, with minimal deviations onto local roads. The character of the drive remains largely the same as you progress west across the Texas landscape, emphasizing forward momentum.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 11 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 20 is the longest continuous segment at about 303.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and West Freeway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near FM 157 / South Cooper Street.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 50m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (FM 157 / South Cooper Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles (I 30 / Tom Landry Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.4 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
FM 157 / South Cooper Street
Turn right onto FM 157 / South Cooper Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
2.3 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Turn left toward I 30 West
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 30 West
5
2.6 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
I 30 / Tom Landry Freeway
Merge onto I 30 / Tom Landry Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
30.1 mi into trip
|
~39m in
|
I 20
Merge onto I 20
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
5
334 mi into trip
|
~5h 47m in
Take the exit toward US 385: Andrews, Crane
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 385: Andrews, Crane
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 20 | 303.8 mi | 5h 8m |
| West Freeway | 15.5 mi | 17m |
| Tom Landry Freeway | 12 mi | 15m |
| South Cooper Street | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| South Grant Avenue | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| West Abram Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| West Lamar Boulevard | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| East Pool Road | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 303.8 mi, about 5h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington, TX and Odessa, TX.
1
Start on West Abram Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
West Abram Street
2
Turn right onto FM 157
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
South Cooper Street
Use the right lane.
3
Turn left onto West Lamar Boulevard
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
West Lamar Boulevard
Use the left lane.
4
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward I 30 West
Use the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 30
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Tom Landry Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 30; US 377
15 mi
·
17 min
·
West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 20
304 mi
·
5 hr 8 min
·
I 20
Use the slight right lane.
8
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
Toward US 385: Andrews, Crane
9
Turn straight onto East Pool Road
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
East Pool Road
10
Turn right onto US 385
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
South Grant Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Arrive at destination
US 385
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour, 50-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Arlington to maximize your daylight hours and avoid any potential rush hour traffic on Tom Landry Freeway. With only one recommended stop and a long uninterrupted stretch on I-20, plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly, perhaps around the halfway point. The estimated fuel cost of $51 makes this an affordable trip, but be sure to check current gas prices. A key tip for this route is to ensure your vehicle is in good condition before you leave, as services can become more spaced out the further west you travel.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 167.8 miles from Arlington, TX, or about 2h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 303.8 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 74 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 167.8 miles or 2h 58m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Odessa, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Arlington, TX so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Arlington, TX
This is one driving day of about 335.6 miles and 5h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 74 miles from Arlington, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 20 for about 303.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 167.8 mi from Arlington, TX · 2h 58m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
168 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 74 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 167.8 miles from Arlington, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 303.8 miles.
Arriving in Odessa, TX
The final approach into Odessa, TX usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Odessa, TX.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$50.71 one way
$101.42 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
117 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $55.51 | $111.01 |
| premium | $4.54 | $59.92 | $119.84 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $74.10 | $148.19 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$51
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$76–$101
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 117.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 100.7 | 1 | $35.24 | $16.11 |
| Efficient EV | 83.9 | 0 | $29.37 | $13.42 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 134.2 | 1 | $46.98 | $21.48 |
Gas CO2
117 kg
EV CO2
39 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Odessa, TX
Morning in Odessa on Friday
Local time
9:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
26 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 50m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Arlington, TX to Odessa, TX covers 335.6 miles and takes about 5h 50m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 20, West Freeway, Tom Landry Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 167.8 miles from Arlington, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $50.71 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a straightforward 5h 50m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (FM 157 / South Cooper Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles (I 30 / Tom Landry Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Arlington, TX to Odessa, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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