Spanning 392.4 miles across the Texas Great Plains, this drive from Irving to Kermit typically takes about 6 hours and 58 minutes. Because the route is straightforward and heavily highway-focused, you can comfortably complete the journey in a single day. Budgeting approximately $60 for fuel should cover your primary travel costs for the trip. Since both your starting point and destination remain within the Great Plains region, you will experience consistent terrain throughout your transit. While it is a long stretch for a single sitting, it serves as a reliable connection between the Dallas-Fort Worth area and West Texas.
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
196.2 miles from Irving, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 25m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 20
299.7 mi
5h 4m
State Highway 302
40.4 mi
51m
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
East 42nd Street
5.6 mi
6m
West Irving Boulevard
2.9 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 299.7 mi, about 5h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Irving, TX and Kermit, 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 WestUse 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 TollUse 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 3AToward I 30 West: WeatherfordUse 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
300 mi·5 hr 4 min·I 20
Use the slight right lane.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·19 sec
Toward Loop 338: Odessa
17
Turn left onto East Interstate 20
235 ft·4 sec·East Interstate 20
18
Turn right onto Loop 338
0.7 mi·53 sec·Southeast Loop 338
19
Continue on Loop 338
1.6 mi·2 min·Ray C. Stoker, Jr. Memorial Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Turn left onto State Highway 191 East
0.5 mi·43 sec·State Highway 191 East
Use the left lane.
21
Continue on TX 191
5.6 mi·6 min·East 42nd Street
Use the straight lane.
22
At end of road, turn right onto Spur 450
0.4 mi·34 sec·Kermit Highway
Use the right lane.
23
Continue on TX 302
40 mi·51 min·State Highway 302
24
Continue on TX 302
0.5 mi·48 sec·East Jim Sharp Boulevard
25
Turn right onto TX 18
0.8 mi·1 min·South Poplar Street
26
Turn right onto TX 115
167 ft·5 sec·East Austin Street
27
Turn right
111 ft·8 sec
28
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To manage the nearly seven-hour duration effectively, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Since the longest uninterrupted segment covers nearly 300 miles, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during that stretch to avoid running low between service exits. Leaving early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid fatigue and ensure you reach Kermit before nightfall. Given the high highway percentage, prioritize vehicle maintenance checks before departure to ensure your tires and fluids are ready for extended high-speed travel. Use your single planned stop as a midpoint reset to maintain focus during the final push into West Texas.
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 196.2 miles from Irving, TX, or about 3h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 299.7 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 86 miles or 1h 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 196.2 miles or 3h 25m 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 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kermit, 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 392.4 miles and 6h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 86 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 299.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 350.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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...
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
7
350.3 mi into trip|~6h 3m in|Spur 450 / Kermit Highway
At end of road, turn right onto Spur 450 / Kermit Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$59.29 one way
$118.59 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg137 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$64.90
$129.80
premium
$4.54
$70.06
$140.12
diesel
$5.61
$86.64
$173.27
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$59
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$84–$109
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 137.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
117.7
1
$41.20
$18.84
Efficient EV
98.1
1
$34.33
$15.70
EV Truck/SUV
157
1
$54.94
$25.11
Gas CO2
137 kg
EV CO2
46 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 as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Irving, TX
Night
in Irving on Saturday
Local time
11:15 PM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Partly Sunny
S 15 to 20 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 17 at 7:31AM CDT until April 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 17 at 7:25AM CDT until April 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Destination
Kermit, TX
Night
in Kermit on Saturday
Local time
11:15 PM
CDT
Current temp
55°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
30 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
6h 58m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a high-speed, interstate-heavy experience, as 96% of this route consists of highways. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-20, which accounts for a significant 299.7-mile stretch of the journey. The drive begins with urban navigation via the Jim Wright Freeway before transitioning into the long, open-road rhythm of the interstate. Toward the end of the trip, you will shift onto State Highway 302 to complete your approach into Kermit. Prepare for a focused, consistent driving pace that requires stamina for long hours behind the wheel.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 299.7 mi on I 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and State Highway 302. 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.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 392.4 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Irving, TX to Kermit, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Loop 338: Odessa along the way.
Irving is a city in the Prairies and Lakes region of Texas. Part of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, Irving has experienced exponential growth over the past fifty years, and is home to a multitude of attractions of all types, from modern art to major sporting events. Founded in 1902 out of the remnants of the small community of Kit, Irving is now a bustling city of approximately 197,000 residents.
Rather like Dallas, it is divided into a highly affluent northern half and less affluent but highly diverse southern half. It is bounded to the east by the northern fork (Elm Fork) of the Trinity River and to the northwest by the sprawling D/FW International Airport.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 58m. Total distance: 392.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 58m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 299.7 miles on I 20. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Kermit, TX before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.0 hours each way, a round trip means 14.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Kermit, TX before the return drive.
