Origin
Odessa, TX
Afternoon in Odessa on Sunday
Local time
3:10 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Odessa, TX to Arlington, TX
Drive Time
5h 49m
Distance
335.6 mi
540 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$51
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 37m
★
6 AM
5h 50m
8 AM
6h 16m
10 AM
5h 59m
12 PM
5h 56m
3 PM
6h 0m
5 PM
6h 15m
8 PM
5h 42m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Odessa, TX
Thomas balabaud
Arlington, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Trip Overview
Spanning 335.6 miles across the Great Plains, this drive from Odessa to Arlington is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 5 hours and 49 minutes. You will spend almost the entire trip on major highways, primarily following I-20 before transitioning to the West Freeway and Tom Landry Freeway as you approach the DFW metroplex. Because the drive is manageable within a single day, it works well as a direct transit route rather than a multi-day excursion. Budget roughly $51 for fuel to cover the distance, assuming standard vehicle efficiency. Whether you are traveling for business or visiting family, this route offers a predictable, highway-focused experience that keeps you moving steadily toward your destination.
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 Odessa, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 51m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a focused interstate experience, as 99% of this route consists of highway travel. The vast majority of your time behind the wheel will be spent on a single 304.1-mile stretch of I-20, which dominates the journey. This is a high-speed, efficient corridor that cuts through the Texas landscape with minimal deviation. While the road is consistent, the transition from the open stretches of the Great Plains into the denser traffic patterns of the Arlington area marks the most significant change in your driving environment. It is an ideal route for those who prefer steady cruising over navigating technical backroads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 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 304.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and West Freeway. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.7 miles in near I 20.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 335.6 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.7 miles (I 20): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 305.7 miles (I 30 / West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 333.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1.7 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
I 20
Merge onto I 20
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
8
305.7 mi into trip
|
~5h 11m in
|
I 30 / West Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30 / West Freeway toward I 30 East: Downtown Fort Worth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Exit 421
Toward I 30 East: Downtown Fort Worth
8
333.2 mi into trip
|
~5h 44m in
Take the exit toward Lamar Boulevard, Cooper Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 27A
Toward Lamar Boulevard, Cooper Street
6
334.2 mi into trip
|
~5h 46m in
|
West Randol Mill Road
Turn left onto West Randol Mill Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
334.6 mi into trip
|
~5h 47m in
|
North Center Street
Turn right onto North Center Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 20 | 304.1 mi | 5h 8m |
| West Freeway | 15.2 mi | 17m |
| Tom Landry Freeway | 12.3 mi | 15m |
| North Grant Avenue | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| North Center Street | 1 mi | 2m |
| North Cooper Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| West Randol Mill Road | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| East Interstate 20 | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 304.1 mi, about 5h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Odessa, TX and Arlington, TX.
1
Start on US 385
11 ft
·
7 sec
·
North Grant Avenue
2
Continue on US 385
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
North Grant Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Turn left onto East Interstate 20
350 ft
·
9 sec
·
East Interstate 20
4
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Toward I 20 East: Midland
5
Merge onto I 20
304 mi
·
5 hr 8 min
·
I 20
Use the none lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30
15 mi
·
17 min
·
West Freeway
Exit 421
Toward I 30 East: Downtown Fort Worth
Use the none lane.
7
Continue on I 30
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Tom Landry Freeway
Use the none lane.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 27A
Toward Lamar Boulevard, Cooper Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn right onto North Cooper Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North Cooper Street
Use the none lane.
10
Turn left onto West Randol Mill Road
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
West Randol Mill Road
Use the left lane.
11
Turn right onto North Center Street
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
North Center Street
Use the right lane.
12
Turn right onto West Abram Street
297 ft
·
8 sec
·
West Abram Street
13
Arrive at destination
West Abram Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a nearly six-hour commitment, planning your departure is key to avoiding peak traffic congestion as you approach Arlington. You should factor in at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh, as the long, monotonous stretches can be taxing on your focus. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the initial 304.1-mile leg on I-20 to ensure you don't run low between service intervals. Because the entire trip is achievable in one day, you have the flexibility to leave early in the morning to beat the heat or mid-day to arrive by the evening. Prioritize consistent pacing to make the best use of the highway-heavy infrastructure.
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 Odessa, TX, or about 2h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 304.1 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 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 167.8 miles or 2h 51m 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 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Arlington, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Odessa, 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 Odessa, TX
This is one driving day of about 335.6 miles and 5h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Odessa, 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 304.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 167.8 mi from Odessa, TX · 2h 51m 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 167.8 miles from Odessa, 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 304.1 miles.
Arriving in Arlington, TX
The final approach into Arlington, 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 Arlington, 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
$51.26 one way
$102.53 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
117 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $56.18 | $112.36 |
| premium | $4.59 | $60.66 | $121.32 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $74.56 | $149.12 |
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, 2026-04-06.
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
Arlington, TX
Afternoon in Arlington on Sunday
Local time
3:10 PM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
54°F
Brownwood, TX
168 mi in
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
22 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 49m 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 Odessa, TX to Arlington, TX covers 335.6 miles and takes about 5h 49m 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 Odessa, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $51.26 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 335.6 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.7 miles (I 20): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 305.7 miles (I 30 / West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 333.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Odessa, TX to Arlington, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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