Origin
Irving, TX
Night in Irving on Saturday
Local time
11:15 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Irving, TX to Odessa, TX
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
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
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
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.
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 .
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 76 miles or 1h 23m 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 76 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.
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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 76 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
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 checkTop up before I 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 303.8 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 35.6 — 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...
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
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.
Destination
Odessa, TX
Night in Odessa on Saturday
Local time
11:15 PM
CDT
Current temp
81°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
20 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 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.
What kind of drive is this?
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.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 303.8 mi on I 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
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.
About the Cities
Starting in Irving, TX
Full guide →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.
Arriving in Odessa, TX
Full guide →Founded 1881
Odessa is a city of 120,000 people (2018) in West Texas, 20 mi (32 km) west of its sister city, Midland. Much of the major industry in the area is oil- and gas-related. As such, the Midland/Odessa area is colloquially known as the petroplex. Many of the attractions you will find in the area are in Midland, so if you're visiting Odessa, the Midland article deserves a look as well. It's also notable as the fountainhead for the Friday Night Lights media franchise, which began with a 1990 book that explored football at the city's Permian High School, later followed by a movie that was mostly faithful to the book, and then a TV series that was a looser adaptation.
Top landmarks
- • White-Pool House — historic place in Odessa, Ector County, Texas
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 59m. Total distance: 347.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 303.8 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 Odessa, 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 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 12.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Odessa, TX before the return drive.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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