Connecting the Great Plains of Odessa to the heart of Austin, this 337-mile journey typically takes about 5 hours and 45 minutes to complete. Because the duration is manageable for a single day, you can comfortably tackle the entire trip in one go without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via North Grant Avenue and Interstate 20, making for a straightforward path across Texas. Budgeting approximately $50 for fuel will cover your gas expenses for the trek. Since both cities reside within the Great Plains, you can expect a consistent regional backdrop throughout your time on the road. It is a practical, efficient route that serves as a reliable link between these two Texas hubs.
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
167.5 miles from Odessa, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 7m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 87
104.4 mi
1h 55m
East State Highway 158
61.4 mi
1h 9m
TX 71
58 mi
1h 18m
State Highway 71
47.2 mi
50m
I 20
20.4 mi
21m
US Highway 87 South
14.6 mi
14m
Bee Caves Road
10.3 mi
15m
TX 29
2.8 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
US 87
— 104.4 mi, about 1h 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Odessa, TX and Austin, TX.
1
Start on US 385
11 ft·7 sec·North Grant Avenue
2
Continue on US 385
1.4 mi·2 min·North Grant Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Turn left onto East Interstate 20
350 ft·9 sec·East Interstate 20
4
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward I 20 East: Midland
5
Merge onto I 20
20 mi·21 min·I 20
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 137BToward TX 158, FM 715: Garden City, San Angelo
7
Turn straight onto East Interstate 20
0.9 mi·1 min·East Interstate 20
8
Turn right onto TX 158
1.2 mi·1 min·Garden City Highway
9
Continue on TX 158
61 mi·1 hr 9 min·East State Highway 158
10
Merge onto US 87; TX 158; TX 163
2.6 mi·2 min·US Highway 87 North
11
Continue on US 87; TX 158; TX 163
1.2 mi·2 min·4th Street
12
Continue on US 87
15 mi·14 min·US Highway 87 South
13
Continue on US 87
104 mi·1 hr 55 min·US 87
14
Turn right onto US 87; US 190; US 377
2.8 mi·3 min·Bridge Street
15
Turn left onto TX 71
47 mi·50 min·State Highway 71
16
Turn left onto TX 29; TX 71
2.8 mi·3 min·TX 29; TX 71
17
Turn right onto TX 16; TX 71
0.4 mi·31 sec·Bessemer Avenue
18
Continue on TX 16; TX 71
1.1 mi·1 min·Ford Street
19
Turn left onto TX 71
58 mi·1 hr 18 min·TX 71
20
Turn left onto RM 2244
8.0 mi·11 min·Bee Caves Road
Use the left lane.
21
Continue on RM 2244
1.0 mi·1 min·Bee Cave Road
22
Continue on RM 2244
2.3 mi·4 min·Bee Caves Road
23
Turn left onto South Mopac Service Road
0.2 mi·16 sec·South Mopac Service Road
Use the left lane.
24
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward Loop 1 North
25
Merge onto Loop 1
0.6 mi·42 sec·South Mopac Expressway
26
Take the exit
0.1 mi·12 sec
Toward 5th Street, Lake Austin Boulevard, Cesar Chavez StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·14 sec
Toward West 5th Street, Lake Austin BoulevardUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight right at fork
120 ft·2 sec
Toward 5th StreetUse the slight right lane.
29
Turn straight onto West 5th Street
1.6 mi·3 min·West 5th Street
Use the straight lane.
30
Arrive at destination
East 5th Street
Trip Plan
Plan to depart early in the day to maximize your time once you arrive in Austin. Since this route includes only one major stop, you have plenty of flexibility to pace your driving according to your personal comfort level. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge as you navigate the local portions of the drive to ensure you stay within your $50 budget. Because this is a turn-heavy route, utilizing a reliable GPS is highly recommended to handle the local sections with confidence. Taking a single, well-timed break will help you stay refreshed and ready for the final stretch of your 337-mile trip.
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 167.5 miles from Odessa, TX, or about 3h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 104.4 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 74 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 167.5 miles or 3h 7m 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 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Austin, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Odessa, 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 Odessa, TX
This is one driving day of about 335 miles and 6h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 74 miles from Odessa, 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 US 87 for about 104.4 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 22.1 and 333.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
22.1 mi into trip|~24m in
Take the exit toward TX 158, FM 715: Garden City, San Angelo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 137B
Toward TX 158, FM 715: Garden City, San Angelo
6
332.2 mi into trip|~6h 29m in|South Mopac Service Road
Turn left onto South Mopac Service Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
333.1 mi into trip|~6h 30m in
Take the exit toward 5th Street, Lake Austin Boulevard, Cesar Chavez Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward 5th Street, Lake Austin Boulevard, Cesar...
9
333.2 mi into trip|~6h 31m in
Keep slight left at fork toward West 5th Street, Lake Austin Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward West 5th Street, Lake Austin Boulevard
8
333.4 mi into trip|~6h 31m in
Keep slight right at fork toward 5th Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward 5th Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$50.62 one way
$101.24 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg117 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$55.41
$110.81
premium
$4.54
$59.81
$119.62
diesel
$5.61
$73.96
$147.93
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$51
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$76–$101
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 117.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
100.5
1
$35.18
$16.08
Efficient EV
83.8
0
$29.31
$13.40
EV Truck/SUV
134
1
$46.90
$21.44
Gas CO2
117 kg
EV CO2
39 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 18, 2026
Origin
Odessa, TX
Late night
in Odessa on Sunday
Local time
1:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Austin, TX
Late night
in Austin on Sunday
Local time
1:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 5 to 10 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 18 at 4:01AM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 18 at 2:47AM CDT until April 18 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
80°F
Mason, TX
168 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
15 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 35m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park tells the story of our 36th president beginning with his ancestors until his final resting place on his beloved LBJ Ranch. This entire "circle of life" gives...
23 mi from route
~57 min detour
Free
near mile 288.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive as you transition from Odessa toward your destination. While the route incorporates I-20 East to facilitate your progress, the nature of the roads requires you to stay alert through various local segments. You will spend your time navigating a mix of city streets and highway travel, which keeps the driving experience varied rather than monotonous. Because the highway share is low, the journey feels more like an active, hands-on drive than a mindless cruise on an open interstate. Prepare for a steady pace that demands your attention to turns and transitions as you cross the state.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 104.4 mi on US 87.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 87 and East State Highway 158. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 22.1 miles in.
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 19 significant decision points across 335 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 22.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 332.2 miles (South Mopac Service Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 333.1 miles: 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.
Between Odessa, TX and Austin, TX, road signs point toward Fm 715: Garden City and San Angelo.
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
Austin is a city of about 1,054,000 (2026) surpassing Fort Worth to become the 4th most populous city in Texas. It is on the southeast edge of the Hill Country region of Texas, making it the fourth-largest city in the state and the 11th-largest in the country. It is the capital of Texas and a college town, and also a center of an alternative culture away from the major cities on the US coasts, though the city is rapidly gentrifying with its rising popularity. Austin's attitude is commonly emblazoned about town on T-shirts and bumper stickers that read: "Keep Austin Weird." Austin is also marketed as the Live Music Capital of the World due to the large number of venues.
Top landmarks
•Texas State Capitol — capitol and seat of government of the U.S. state of Texas
•Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum — presidential library and museum for U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson in Austin,...
•Texas State Cemetery — historic cemetery in Austin, Texas, USA
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 35m. Total distance: 335 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 35m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 104.4 miles on US 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 Austin, 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: at 22.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 332.2 miles (South Mopac Service Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 333.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.6 hours each way, a round trip means 13.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Austin, TX before the return drive.
