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Trip from Irving, TX to Odessa, TX

Data updated 0 seconds ago

Drive Time

5h 59m

Distance

347.4 mi

559 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$52

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
5h 47m ★
6 AM
6h 0m
8 AM
6h 26m
10 AM
6h 9m
12 PM
6h 6m
3 PM
6h 10m
5 PM
6h 25m
8 PM
5h 52m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

city in Ector and Midland counties in Texas, United States, that is county seat of Ector County

Odessa, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 347.4-mile drive from Irving, TX to Odessa, TX is a straightforward, highway-focused trip that can comfortably be completed in a single day, taking approximately 5 hours and 59 minutes. The majority of your journey, 98%, will be on major interstates, including I-20 and I-820 TEXpress, making it an efficient route. With an estimated fuel cost of $52, this trip through the heart of the Great Plains region of Texas is designed for expediency. You'll encounter one recommended stop along the way, and the longest uninterrupted stretch is a significant 303.8 miles on I-20, so be prepared for extended periods on the interstate.

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

173.7 miles from Irving, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 2m into the drive .

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Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused experience for nearly the entire 347.4 miles, with 98% of the route utilizing major interstates. The drive is characterized by long, straight stretches, particularly the impressive 303.8-mile segment on I-20, which forms the backbone of this journey. While efficient, the expansive Great Plains landscape means the scenery will be consistent for much of the drive. The inclusion of Jim Wright Freeway and I-820 TEXpress near the start provides a brief introduction to more urban-style freeway driving before merging onto the primary interstate.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 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 Jim Wright Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West Irving Boulevard.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 347.4 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (West Irving Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.4 miles (TX 183 / Airport Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.9 miles (Airport Freeway TEXpress): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 12 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | West Irving Boulevard

Turn right onto West Irving Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
5
3.4 mi into trip | ~6m in | TX 183 / Airport Freeway

Merge onto TX 183 / Airport Freeway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
9.9 mi into trip | ~13m in | Airport Freeway TEXpress

Take the exit onto Airport Freeway TEXpress toward TX 121 Express South, TX 183 Express West: Airport Freeway TEXpress West

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Toward TX 121 Express South, TX 183 Express Wes...
5
10.2 mi into trip | ~13m in | TX 183 TEXpress / SH 183 TEXpress

Merge onto TX 183 TEXpress / SH 183 TEXpress

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
35.6 mi into trip | ~41m in

Take the exit toward I 30 West: Weatherford

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 3A Toward I 30 West: Weatherford

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 20 303.8 mi 5h 8m
Jim Wright Freeway 12.8 mi 14m
I 820 TEXpress 6.9 mi 6m
Airport Freeway 6.5 mi 6m
West Freeway 6 mi 6m
West Irving Boulevard 2.9 mi 5m
SH 121/183 TEXpress 2.7 mi 2m
SH 183 TEXpress 2.6 mi 2m
Longest stretch: I 20 — 303.8 mi, about 5h 8m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Irving, TX and Odessa, TX.

1

Start on North Ohio Street

58 ft · 4 sec · North Ohio Street
2

Turn right onto West Irving Boulevard

2.9 mi · 5 min · West Irving Boulevard
Use the left lane.
3

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward TX 183: Fort Worth
4

Merge onto TX 183

6.5 mi · 6 min · Airport Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Take the exit onto Airport Freeway TEXpress

0.3 mi · 16 sec · Airport Freeway TEXpress
Toward TX 121 Express South, TX 183 Express West: Airport Freeway TEXpress West Use the slight left lane.
6

Merge onto TX 183 TEXpress

2.5 mi · 2 min · SH 183 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Continue on TX 121 TEXpress; TX 183 TEXpress

2.0 mi · 2 min · SH 121/183 TEXpress
8

Continue on TX 183 TEXpress

0.1 mi · 7 sec · SH 183 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Continue on TX 121 TEXpress; TX 183 TEXpress

0.7 mi · 42 sec · SH 121/183 TEXpress
10

Continue on I 820 TEXpress

6.9 mi · 6 min · I 820 TEXpress
Toward I 820 Express West Toll Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Merge onto I 820

0.4 mi · 24 sec · Northeast Loop
12

Continue on I 820

13 mi · 14 min · Jim Wright Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 1 min
Exit 3A Toward I 30 West: Weatherford Use the slight right lane.
14

Merge onto I 30

6.0 mi · 6 min · West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Merge onto I 20

304 mi · 5 hr 8 min · I 20
Use the slight right lane.
16

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 16 sec
Toward US 385: Andrews, Crane
17

Turn straight onto East Pool Road

0.1 mi · 16 sec · East Pool Road
18

Turn right onto US 385

1.4 mi · 2 min · South Grant Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
19

Arrive at destination

US 385

Trip Plan

Given the 5-hour, 59-minute duration, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day journey. Aim to depart early in the morning to maximize daylight and take advantage of fewer traffic delays. Plan for your single recommended stop strategically, perhaps around the halfway point of the 303.8-mile stretch on I-20, to break up the driving. Keep a close eye on your fuel levels, as extended highway driving means fewer immediate refueling opportunities between major towns, especially during that long segment on I-20. The estimated $52 fuel cost is a good baseline for budgeting.

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 173.7 miles from Irving, TX, or about 3h 2m 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 80 miles or 1h 27m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 173.7 miles or 3h 2m 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 58m

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 Irving, 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 Irving, TX

This is one driving day of about 347.4 miles and 5h 59m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Irving, 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 173.7 mi from Irving, TX · 3h 2m into the drive

Downtown Wichita Falls, TX, TX

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Wichita Falls, TX

174 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

Fort Worth, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Brownwood, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 173.7 miles from Irving, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top 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

$52.49 one way

$104.99 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 122 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $57.46 $114.92
premium $4.54 $62.03 $124.05
diesel $5.61 $76.70 $153.40

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$52

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$77–$102

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 121.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 104.2 1 $36.48 $16.68
Efficient EV 86.9 0 $30.40 $13.90
EV Truck/SUV 139 1 $48.64 $22.23

Gas CO2

122 kg

EV CO2

41 kg (66% 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.

Forecast data refreshed 5 days ago

Origin

Irving, TX

Late night in Irving on Wednesday

Local time

5:26 AM

CDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Odessa, TX

Late night in Odessa on Wednesday

Local time

5:26 AM

CDT

Current temp

58°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

3 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

5h 59m 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 Irving, TX to Odessa, TX covers 347.4 miles and takes about 5h 59m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 20, Jim Wright Freeway, I 820 TEXpress. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 173.7 miles from Irving, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $52.49 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 demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 347.4 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (West Irving Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.4 miles (TX 183 / Airport Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.9 miles (Airport Freeway TEXpress): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Irving, TX to Odessa, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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