Midland, TX to Irving, TX is 325.5 miles and takes about 5h 37m via I 20, with a fuel budget near $49 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Texas, traversing the Great Plains region for both its origin and destination. It's a straightforward highway-focused trip, making it a solid choice for a single-day journey when you need to get from West Texas to the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex efficiently. You'll spend most of your time on the interstate, so prepare for a steady pace.
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
162.8 miles from Midland, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 46m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 20
276 mi
4h 38m
Jim Wright Freeway
12.6 mi
14m
I 820 TEXpress
6.9 mi
6m
West Freeway
5.6 mi
5m
Airport Freeway
5 mi
5m
East Highway 80
4.5 mi
5m
SH 121/183 TEXpress
4.4 mi
4m
West Irving Boulevard
2.7 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 276 mi, about 4h 38m
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 36 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,369 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,769
Quietest
2 AM
~188 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Midland, TX and Irving, TX.
1
Start on Loop 269
44 ft·3 sec·West Wall Street
2
Turn right onto TX 349 Bus
383 ft·10 sec·North Big Spring Street
3
Turn right onto West Texas Avenue
0.5 mi·57 sec·West Texas Avenue
4
Turn straight onto I 20 Bus
1.3 mi·2 min·East Front Street
5
Continue on I 20 Bus
4.5 mi·5 min·East Highway 80
Use the straight lane.
6
Take the exit
1.4 mi·1 min
Toward I 20 East: Abilene
7
Merge onto I 20
276 mi·4 hr 38 min·I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30
5.6 mi·5 min·West Freeway
Exit 421Toward I 30 East: Downtown Fort WorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 5BToward I 820 NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 820
13 mi·14 min·Jim Wright Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 820
0.3 mi·18 sec·Northeast Loop
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 820 TEXpress
6.9 mi·6 min·I 820 TEXpress
Toward I 820 Express East: DFW Airport Dallas EntranceUse the straight / slight left lanes.
13
Continue on TX 121 TEXpress; TX 183 TEXpress
4.4 mi·4 min·SH 121/183 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on TX 183 TEXpress
2.5 mi·2 min·SH 183 TEXpress
Toward TX 183 Express EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
262 ft·6 sec
Use the slight right lane.
16
Merge onto TX 183
5.0 mi·5 min·Airport Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward TX 356: Irving Boulevard, Belt Line Road SouthUse the right lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward TX 356: Irving BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on TX 356
2.7 mi·4 min·West Irving Boulevard
Use the left lane.
20
Continue on TX 356
0.4 mi·52 sec·West 2nd Street
21
Turn left onto South Ohio Street
436 ft·19 sec·South Ohio Street
22
Arrive at destination
North Ohio Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour 37-minute duration, leaving Midland in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight and arrive in Irving with ample time. While the drive is manageable in one day, there's a 276-mile stretch on I 20, so plan for at least one fuel and rest stop around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially on the longer interstate segments, as services can sometimes be spaced out. The route's predominantly highway nature means you can maintain a steady pace, but be aware of potential traffic increases as you get closer to the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
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 162.8 miles from Midland, TX, or about 2h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 276 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 72 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 162.8 miles or 2h 46m 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 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Irving, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Midland, 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 Midland, TX
This is one driving day of about 325.5 miles and 5h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 72 miles from Midland, 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 276 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 283.7 and 322 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
283.7 mi into trip|~4h 48m in|I 30 / West Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30 / West Freeway toward I 30 East: Downtown Fort Worth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 421
Toward I 30 East: Downtown Fort Worth
7
289.3 mi into trip|~4h 54m in
Take the exit toward I 820 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 5B
Toward I 820 North
7
303 mi into trip|~5h 11m in|I 820 TEXpress
Keep slight left at fork onto I 820 TEXpress toward I 820 Express East: DFW Airport Dallas Entrance
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 820 Express East: DFW Airport Dallas E...
7
321.9 mi into trip|~5h 30m in
Take the exit toward TX 356: Irving Boulevard, Belt Line Road South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward TX 356: Irving Boulevard, Belt Line Road...
7
322 mi into trip|~5h 30m in
Keep slight left at fork toward TX 356: Irving Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward TX 356: Irving Boulevard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.58 one way
$89.17 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg114 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$49.80
$99.60
premium
$4.23
$54.14
$108.29
diesel
$4.80
$61.46
$122.92
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 113.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
97.7
1
$34.18
$15.62
Efficient EV
81.4
0
$28.48
$13.02
EV Truck/SUV
130.2
1
$45.57
$20.83
Gas CO2
114 kg
EV CO2
38 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Midland, TX
Morning
in Midland on Sunday
Local time
9:44 AM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 15 mph45% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 10:31AM CDT until July 18 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 10:14AM CDT until July 17 at 11:15AM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Destination
Irving, TX
Morning
in Irving on Sunday
Local time
9:44 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Mostly Sunny
SSW 10 mph9% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 10:31AM CDT until July 18 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 10:14AM CDT until July 17 at 11:15AM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
99°F
Albany, TX
163 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
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
5h 37m 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?
This route is heavily highway-focused, with 97% of the drive taking place on major roads like I 20 and I 820 TEXpress. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 276 miles primarily on I 20, which means consistent speed limits and limited turn-offs for a significant portion of the journey. Expect a driving experience characterized by open highways, a direct path, and minimal deviations from the interstate system. The inclusion of Jim Wright Freeway and I 820 TEXpress indicates a transition into more urban freeway environments as you approach your destination.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 276 mi on I 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 around 283.7 miles in near I 30 / West Freeway.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 325.5 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 283.7 miles (I 30 / West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 289.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 303 miles (I 820 TEXpress): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Midland is a city in the Permian Basin region of Texas. Its warm climate, friendly people, and central location are the primary reasons for the city's popularity. It is home to about 133,000 people (census, 1 April 2020) Twenty minutes to the west is Odessa, with a population of about 100,000. Nearly a quarter of a million people reside in the Midland/Odessa metropolitan area.
Top landmarks
•George W. Bush Childhood Home — historic place in Midland, Midland County, Texas
•Tower Petroleum Building — historic place in Midland, Midland County, Texas
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.
Top landmarks
•Ruth Paine Home — house in Irving, Texas, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 37m. Total distance: 325.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 276 miles on I 20. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 36 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Irving, 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. There are 36 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 283.7 miles (I 30 / West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 289.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 303 miles (I 820 TEXpress): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Irving, TX before the return drive.
