Traveling from Killeen to Odessa spans 316.6 miles and typically takes about 5 hours and 56 minutes. You will primarily navigate via East Veterans Memorial Boulevard, the Central Texas Expressway, and US 190 West. Because this trip is manageable within a single day, you likely won't need an overnight stop, though you should budget approximately $48 for fuel. Both cities sit within the Great Plains region, meaning the landscape remains consistent as you transition across the Texas interior. It is a straightforward trek, but the turn-heavy nature of the local roads requires your full attention throughout the journey.
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
158.3 miles from Killeen, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 59m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
United States Highway 87
71.2 mi
1h 16m
TX 158
62.7 mi
1h 11m
US Highway 190 West
61 mi
1h 9m
US Highway 87 North
25.8 mi
26m
I 20
21 mi
22m
US 87
15.8 mi
16m
North US Highway 183
15.1 mi
15m
US 190
12.8 mi
14m
Longest stretch:
United States Highway 87
— 71.2 mi, about 1h 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Killeen, TX and Odessa, TX.
1
Start on this road
74 ft·10 sec·this road
2
Turn left
83 ft·8 sec
3
Turn right onto US 190 Bus
2.6 mi·4 min·East Veterans Memorial Boulevard
4
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
5
Merge onto I 14; US 190
4.3 mi·4 min·Central Texas Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto US 190
13 mi·14 min·US 190
Toward US 190 West: LampasasUse the slight left lane.
7
Turn right onto FM 1715
6.4 mi·8 min·FM 1715
8
At end of road, turn left onto FM 580
2.6 mi·2 min·East FM 580
9
Continue on FM 580
1.1 mi·2 min·East Avenue J
10
At end of road, turn right onto US 183; US 190; US 281
0.4 mi·32 sec·North Key Avenue
11
Continue on US 183; US 190; US 281
0.2 mi·14 sec·North US Highway 281
12
Keep slight left at fork onto US 183; US 190
15 mi·15 min·North US Highway 183
13
Turn left onto US 190
61 mi·1 hr 9 min·US Highway 190 West
14
Continue on US 190
0.1 mi·13 sec·Boy Street
15
Turn left onto US 190; US 377
0.7 mi·54 sec·Bridge Street
16
At end of road, turn right onto US 190; US 377
271 ft·8 sec·Main Street
17
Turn left onto US 190; US 377
281 ft·7 sec·Church Street
18
Turn right onto US 87
0.2 mi·13 sec·Commerce Street
19
Turn straight onto US 87
71 mi·1 hr 16 min·United States Highway 87
20
Continue on US 87; Loop 306
4.1 mi·5 min·South Bryant Boulevard
21
Continue on US 87; US 277
1.4 mi·2 min·South Koenigheim Street
22
Continue on US 87; US 277; US 67 Bus
4.3 mi·6 min·North Bryant Boulevard
23
Continue on US 87
23 mi·23 min·US Highway 87 North
24
Continue on US 87
16 mi·16 min·US 87
25
Turn straight onto US 87; TX 158; TX 163
2.6 mi·2 min·US Highway 87 North
26
Take the exit onto TX 158
63 mi·1 hr 11 min·TX 158
Toward SH 158 West: Midland
27
Turn left onto East Interstate 20
0.3 mi·30 sec·East Interstate 20
28
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward I 20 West: Odessa
29
Merge onto I 20; TX 158
5.9 mi·5 min·I 20; TX 158
30
Continue on I 20; TX 349
15 mi·16 min·I 20; TX 349
31
Take the exit
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward US 385: Andrews, Crane
32
Turn straight onto East Pool Road
0.1 mi·16 sec·East Pool Road
33
Turn right onto US 385
1.4 mi·2 min·South Grant Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
34
Arrive at destination
US 385
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 316.6-mile trek, aim for an early departure to navigate the turn-heavy sections during daylight hours. Since you have one planned stop along the way, use that time to stretch and refuel to manage the nearly six-hour duration comfortably. Keep your $48 fuel budget in mind when selecting your pit stop to ensure you don't overpay in more remote stretches. Being flexible with your pace is a significant advantage on this route, as the lack of highway driving means you can adjust your itinerary based on traffic or road conditions. Prioritize checking your tire pressure before leaving Killeen, as the winding local roads will put more wear on your vehicle than a standard highway route would.
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 158.3 miles from Killeen, TX, or about 2h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 71.2 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 70 miles or 1h 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 158.3 miles or 2h 59m 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 52m
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 Killeen, 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 Killeen, TX
This is one driving day of about 316.6 miles and 5h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 miles from Killeen, 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 United States Highway 87 for about 71.2 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 107.8 — 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
Turn left
Navigation decision point
5
3.1 mi into trip|~5m in|I 14; US 190 / Central Texas Expressway
Merge onto I 14; US 190 / Central Texas Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
7.4 mi into trip|~9m in|US 190
Keep slight left at fork onto US 190 toward US 190 West: Lampasas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward US 190 West: Lampasas
5
107.8 mi into trip|~2h 4m in|US 190; US 377 / Main Street
At end of road, turn right onto US 190; US 377 / Main Street
Navigation decision point
5
107.8 mi into trip|~2h 4m in|US 190; US 377 / Church Street
Turn left onto US 190; US 377 / Church Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$47.84 one way
$95.68 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg111 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$52.36
$104.73
premium
$4.54
$56.53
$113.05
diesel
$5.61
$69.90
$139.80
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 110.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
95
1
$33.24
$15.20
Efficient EV
79.2
0
$27.70
$12.66
EV Truck/SUV
126.6
1
$44.32
$20.26
Gas CO2
111 kg
EV CO2
37 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Killeen, TX
Late night
in Killeen on Sunday
Local time
2:50 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Odessa, TX
Late night
in Odessa on Sunday
Local time
2:50 AM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
71°F
Eden, TX
158 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
21 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 56m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a drive characterized by its turn-heavy, local road profile rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. You will spend your time navigating off the major highway systems, which makes for a more active experience behind the wheel. The route demands constant engagement as you transition through various local stretches instead of settling into a high-speed highway rhythm. Because the highway share is 0%, you should prepare for a slower, more deliberate pace compared to typical cross-country transit. Stay alert as the road requires frequent adjustments rather than long, uninterrupted stretches of driving.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 71.2 mi on United States Highway 87.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on United States Highway 87 and TX 158. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
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 20 significant decision points across 316.6 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: Navigation decision point; at 3.1 miles (I 14; US 190 / Central Texas Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.4 miles (US 190): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Killeen, TX to Odessa, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Sh 158 West: Midland along the way.
Killeen is a city in the Central Hill Country of Texas. It is home to U.S. Army installation Fort Cavasos, one of the largest military bases in the world.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 56m. Total distance: 316.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 71.2 miles on United States Highway 87. 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: Navigation decision point; at 3.1 miles (I 14; US 190 / Central Texas Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.4 miles (US 190): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.9 hours each way, a round trip means 11.9 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.
