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 Austin, TX
Drive Time
6h 35m
Distance
335 mi
539 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$51
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 23m
★
6 AM
6h 35m
8 AM
6h 59m
10 AM
6h 44m
12 PM
6h 41m
3 PM
6h 45m
5 PM
6h 58m
8 PM
6h 28m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Odessa, TX
Thomas balabaud
Austin, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Connecting the Great Plains of Odessa to the heart of Austin, this 337-mile journey typically takes about 5 hours and 45 minutes to complete. Because the duration is manageable for a single day, you can comfortably tackle the entire trip in one go without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via North Grant Avenue and Interstate 20, making for a straightforward path across Texas. Budgeting approximately $50 for fuel will cover your gas expenses for the trek. Since both cities reside within the Great Plains, you can expect a consistent regional backdrop throughout your time on the road. It is a practical, efficient route that serves as a reliable link between these two Texas hubs.
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
167.5 miles from Odessa, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 7m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive as you transition from Odessa toward your destination. While the route incorporates I-20 East to facilitate your progress, the nature of the roads requires you to stay alert through various local segments. You will spend your time navigating a mix of city streets and highway travel, which keeps the driving experience varied rather than monotonous. Because the highway share is low, the journey feels more like an active, hands-on drive than a mindless cruise on an open interstate. Prepare for a steady pace that demands your attention to turns and transitions as you cross the state.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 30 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 87 is the longest continuous segment at about 104.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 87 and East State Highway 158. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 22.1 miles in.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 335 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: at 22.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 261.4 miles (TX 16; TX 71 / Bessemer Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 333.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
22.1 mi into trip
|
~24m in
Take the exit toward TX 158, FM 715: Garden City, San Angelo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 137B
Toward TX 158, FM 715: Garden City, San Angelo
6
261.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 51m in
|
TX 16; TX 71 / Bessemer Avenue
Turn right onto TX 16; TX 71 / Bessemer Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
7
333.1 mi into trip
|
~6h 30m in
Take the exit toward 5th Street, Lake Austin Boulevard, Cesar Chavez 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.
Toward 5th Street, Lake Austin Boulevard, Cesar...
9
333.2 mi into trip
|
~6h 31m in
Keep slight left at fork toward West 5th Street, Lake Austin Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward West 5th Street, Lake Austin Boulevard
8
333.4 mi into trip
|
~6h 31m in
Keep slight right at fork toward 5th Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward 5th Street
Towns Along This Route
Between Odessa, TX and Austin, TX, road signs point toward Fm 715: Garden City and San Angelo.
Fm 715: Garden City
22.1 mi in
|
~24m
San Angelo
22.1 mi in
|
~24m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 87 | 104.4 mi | 1h 55m |
| East State Highway 158 | 61.4 mi | 1h 9m |
| TX 71 | 58 mi | 1h 18m |
| State Highway 71 | 47.2 mi | 50m |
| I 20 | 20.4 mi | 21m |
| US Highway 87 South | 14.6 mi | 14m |
| Bee Caves Road | 10.3 mi | 15m |
| TX 29 | 2.8 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
US 87
— 104.4 mi, about 1h 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Odessa, TX and Austin, 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
20 mi
·
21 min
·
I 20
Use the none lane.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 137B
Toward TX 158, FM 715: Garden City, San Angelo
7
Turn straight onto East Interstate 20
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
East Interstate 20
8
Turn right onto TX 158
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Garden City Highway
9
Continue on TX 158
61 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
East State Highway 158
10
Merge onto US 87; TX 158; TX 163
2.6 mi
·
2 min
·
US Highway 87 North
11
Continue on US 87; TX 158; TX 163
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
4th Street
12
Continue on US 87
15 mi
·
14 min
·
US Highway 87 South
13
Continue on US 87
104 mi
·
1 hr 55 min
·
US 87
Use the none lane.
14
Turn right onto US 87; US 190; US 377
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Bridge Street
15
Turn left onto TX 71
47 mi
·
50 min
·
State Highway 71
16
Turn left onto TX 29; TX 71
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
TX 29; TX 71
17
Turn right onto TX 16; TX 71
0.4 mi
·
31 sec
·
Bessemer Avenue
Use the none lane.
18
Continue on TX 16; TX 71
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Ford Street
19
Turn left onto TX 71
58 mi
·
1 hr 18 min
·
TX 71
Use the none lane.
20
Turn left onto RM 2244
8.0 mi
·
11 min
·
Bee Caves Road
Use the left lane.
21
Continue on RM 2244
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Bee Cave Road
22
Continue on RM 2244
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Bee Caves Road
Use the none lane.
23
Turn left onto South Mopac Service Road
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
South Mopac Service Road
Use the left lane.
24
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Toward Loop 1 North
25
Merge onto Loop 1
0.6 mi
·
42 sec
·
South Mopac Expressway
26
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
Toward 5th Street, Lake Austin Boulevard, Cesar Chavez Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Toward West 5th Street, Lake Austin Boulevard
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight right at fork
120 ft
·
2 sec
Toward 5th Street
Use the slight right lane.
29
Turn straight onto West 5th Street
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
West 5th Street
Use the none / straight lanes.
30
Arrive at destination
East 5th Street
Trip Plan
Plan to depart early in the day to maximize your time once you arrive in Austin. Since this route includes only one major stop, you have plenty of flexibility to pace your driving according to your personal comfort level. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge as you navigate the local portions of the drive to ensure you stay within your $50 budget. Because this is a turn-heavy route, utilizing a reliable GPS is highly recommended to handle the local sections with confidence. Taking a single, well-timed break will help you stay refreshed and ready for the final stretch of your 337-mile trip.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 167.5 miles from Odessa, TX, or about 3h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 104.4 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 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 167.5 miles or 3h 7m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Austin, 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 miles and 6h 35m.
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 US 87 for about 104.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 167.5 mi from Odessa, TX · 3h 7m 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 167.5 miles from Odessa, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 87 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 104.4 miles.
Arriving in Austin, TX
The final approach into Austin, 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 Austin, 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
$51.17 one way
$102.35 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
117 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $56.08 | $112.16 |
| premium | $4.59 | $60.55 | $121.10 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $74.43 | $148.85 |
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: 117.2 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 | 100.5 | 1 | $35.18 | $16.08 |
| Efficient EV | 83.8 | 0 | $29.31 | $13.40 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 134 | 1 | $46.90 | $21.44 |
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
Austin, TX
Afternoon in Austin on Sunday
Local time
3:10 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°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
7 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
6h 35m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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 Austin, TX covers 335 miles and takes about 6h 35m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 87, East State Highway 158, TX 71. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 167.5 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 $51.17 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 19 significant decision points across 335 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: at 22.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 261.4 miles (TX 16; TX 71 / Bessemer Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 333.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Odessa, TX and Austin, TX, road signs point toward Fm 715: Garden City and San Angelo.
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