Origin
Irving, TX
Late night in Irving on Wednesday
Local time
5:26 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
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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
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Odessa, TX
Wikimedia Commons
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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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.
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.
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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto West Irving Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto TX 183 / Airport Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
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
Merge onto TX 183 TEXpress / SH 183 TEXpress
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 30 West: Weatherford
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
| 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 |
Step-by-step road directions between Irving, TX and Odessa, TX.
Start on North Ohio Street
Turn right onto West Irving Boulevard
Take the ramp
Merge onto TX 183
Take the exit onto Airport Freeway TEXpress
Merge onto TX 183 TEXpress
Continue on TX 121 TEXpress; TX 183 TEXpress
Continue on TX 183 TEXpress
Continue on TX 121 TEXpress; TX 183 TEXpress
Continue on I 820 TEXpress
Merge onto I 820
Continue on I 820
Take the exit
Merge onto I 30
Merge onto I 20
Take the exit
Turn straight onto East Pool Road
Turn right onto US 385
Arrive at destination
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.
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.
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.
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
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
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 checkTop up before I 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 303.8 miles.
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.
Regular Gas
$52.49 one way
$104.99 round trip
| 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Irving on Wednesday
Local time
5:26 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Odessa on Wednesday
Local time
5:26 AM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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