Origin
Lubbock, TX
Late night in Lubbock on Tuesday
Local time
4:37 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lubbock, TX to Odessa, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 27m
Distance
137.8 mi
222 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 17m
★
6 AM
2h 27m
8 AM
2h 47m
10 AM
2h 34m
12 PM
2h 32m
3 PM
2h 35m
5 PM
2h 46m
8 PM
2h 21m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lubbock, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Odessa, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Lubbock to Odessa is 137.8 miles and takes about 2h 27m via US Highway 87 and TX 349, with a fuel budget near $21 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward drive across Texas. You'll mainly be on highways, making it a quick and efficient connection between these two West Texas cities. Given the relatively short distance and duration, this route is ideal for a single-day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure and arrival times.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
68.9 miles from Lubbock, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 12m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US Highway 87 | 51.2 mi | 51m |
| State Highway 349 | 46.8 mi | 46m |
| TX 349 | 12.4 mi | 12m |
| Tahoka Highway | 4.4 mi | 4m |
| Sergeant Michael Naylor Memorial Highway | 3.2 mi | 3m |
| East 2nd Street | 2.6 mi | 4m |
| North FM 1788 | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| Chris Kyle Memorial Highway | 2.3 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
US Highway 87
— 51.2 mi, about 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lubbock, TX and Odessa, TX.
1
Start on US 62; TX 114
33 ft
·
6 sec
·
19th Street
2
Turn left onto US 84
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Avenue Q
3
Turn left onto 34th Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
34th Street
4
Turn right onto Interstate 27
263 ft
·
5 sec
·
Interstate 27
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
6
Merge onto I 27; US 87
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Marshall Formby Memorial Highway
7
Continue on I 27; US 87
4.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Tahoka Highway
8
Continue on US 87
51 mi
·
51 min
·
US Highway 87
9
Continue on US 87
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Lubbock Highway
10
Continue on US 87
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North Lynn Avenue
11
Continue on US 87; US 180
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
South Dallas Avenue
12
Turn right onto TX 349
47 mi
·
46 min
·
State Highway 349
13
Take the exit onto TX 349
12 mi
·
12 min
·
TX 349
14
Turn left onto TX 349; FM 1788
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
North FM 1788
15
Turn right onto State Highway 191
0.4 mi
·
26 sec
·
State Highway 191
16
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
17
Merge onto TX 191
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Sergeant Michael Naylor Memorial Highway
18
Continue on TX 191
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Chris Kyle Memorial Highway
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Toward Loop 338
20
Turn straight onto State Highway 191 East
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
State Highway 191 East
21
Turn left onto Loop 338
436 ft
·
16 sec
·
Northeast Loop 338
Use the left / straight lanes.
22
Continue on Loop 338
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Ray C. Stoker, Jr. Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
23
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
Toward I 20 Business: Midland
Use the right lane.
24
Keep slight left at fork
217 ft
·
12 sec
25
Turn right onto I 20 Bus
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
East Highway 80
26
Continue on I 20 Bus
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
East 2nd Street
27
Turn left onto US 385
0.2 mi
·
50 sec
·
North Grant Avenue
28
Continue on US 385
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
·
South Grant Avenue
29
Arrive at destination
US 385
Trip Plan
For this 2h 27m drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize your daylight hours. With only 137.8 miles, you won't need many stops, but it's wise to fuel up in Lubbock before you leave, as gas stations might be less frequent along parts of TX 349. The estimated fuel cost is around $21, so plan accordingly. Since this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to take your time or push through quickly. Keep an eye out for changing speed limits as you transition between highway and local roads near Odessa.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 68.9 miles from Lubbock, TX, or about 1h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 51.2 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 30 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 68.9 miles or 1h 12m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 56m
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 Lubbock, 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 Lubbock, TX
This is one driving day of about 137.8 miles and 2h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Lubbock, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US Highway 87 for about 51.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
69 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 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 68.9 miles from Lubbock, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 155 decision points cluster between mile 1 and 133.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
1 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
34th Street
Turn left onto 34th Street
Navigation decision point
4
63.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 7m in
|
TX 349 / State Highway 349
Turn right onto TX 349 / State Highway 349
Navigation decision point
5
132 mi into trip
|
~2h 17m in
|
Loop 338 / Northeast Loop 338
Turn left onto Loop 338 / Northeast Loop 338
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
133.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 19m in
Take the exit toward I 20 Business: Midland
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 20 Business: Midland
5
133.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 20m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.82 one way
$41.64 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
48 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $22.79 | $45.58 |
| premium | $4.54 | $24.60 | $49.21 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $30.42 | $60.85 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 48.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 41.3 | 0 | $14.47 | $6.61 |
| Efficient EV | 34.5 | 0 | $12.06 | $5.51 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 55.1 | 0 | $19.29 | $8.82 |
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
Late night in Odessa on Tuesday
Local time
4:37 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°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
4 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
2h 27m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 83% of the trip on major roads. You'll experience a continuous stretch of 51.2 miles on US Highway 87, which is the longest unbroken highway segment. The drive transitions to surface roads as you approach Odessa, specifically on TX 349. Expect a more rural cruising feel for the majority of the trip, with minimal urban merging or complex intersections.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 51.2 mi on US Highway 87.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 87 and State Highway 349. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in near 34th Street.
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 15 significant decision points across 137.8 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 1 miles (34th Street): Navigation decision point; at 63.9 miles (TX 349 / State Highway 349): Navigation decision point; at 132 miles (Loop 338 / Northeast Loop 338): Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Starting in Lubbock, TX
Full guide →“Hub City” · Founded 1890
Lubbock is the largest city in the Panhandle of Texas and serves as the area's agricultural and economic hub. Lubbock, commonly known as the Hub City, is in the center of the South Plains, an expansive cotton-growing region.
Top landmarks
- • Buddy Holly Center — music museum and art gallery in Lubbock, Texas
- • Holden Properties Historic District — historic district in Lubbock, Lubbock County, Texas
- • Cactus Theater — building in Lubbock, Lubbock County, Texas
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 2h 27m. Total distance: 137.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 51.2 miles on US Highway 87. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles (34th Street): Navigation decision point; at 63.9 miles (TX 349 / State Highway 349): Navigation decision point; at 132 miles (Loop 338 / Northeast Loop 338): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Odessa, TX before heading back.
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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