Trip from Odessa, TX to Austin, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 35m
Distance
335 mi
539 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$46
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Odessa, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Austin, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
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 |
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 24 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~1,922 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~273 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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 Odessa, TX and Austin, TX.
Start on US 385
Continue on US 385
Turn left onto East Interstate 20
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 20
Take the exit
Turn straight onto East Interstate 20
Turn right onto TX 158
Continue on TX 158
Merge onto US 87; TX 158; TX 163
Continue on US 87; TX 158; TX 163
Continue on US 87
Continue on US 87
Turn right onto US 87; US 190; US 377
Turn left onto TX 71
Turn left onto TX 29; TX 71
Turn right onto TX 16; TX 71
Continue on TX 16; TX 71
Turn left onto TX 71
Turn left onto RM 2244
Continue on RM 2244
Continue on RM 2244
Turn left onto South Mopac Service Road
Take the ramp
Merge onto Loop 1
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight right at fork
Turn straight onto West 5th Street
Arrive at destination
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.
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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
168 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
A short stop after about 74 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 167.5 miles from Odessa, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 87 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 104.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Coke County Rest Area
Flying J Travel Center
Flying J Travel Center
Love's Travel Stop
Pilot Travel Center
Pilot Travel Center
Love's Travel Stop
TXB Market
Austin Bat Tours
Near the end, right off the route
Austin, Texas
Hours: 9 am–10 pm
Visit websiteJack Rabbit
Near the start, right off the route
Odessa, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18007804678
Visit websiteMcKinney Park
Near the start, short detour
Odessa, Texas
Hours: 6 am–11 pm
+14323683548
Visit websiteBadu Park
Later in the drive, short detour
Llano, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
+13252474158
Visit websiteDiscover Odessa
Near the start, right off the route
Odessa, Texas
Hours: 8 am–5 pm
+14323337871
Visit websiteJim Parker Park
Near the start, short detour
Odessa, Texas
Hours: 6 am–11 pm
+14323683548
Botanical Gates of Paradise
Near the end, short detour
Austin, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
Ector County Coliseum
Near the start, short detour
Odessa, Texas
Hours: 8 am–5 pm
+14323663541
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 195 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.
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
Turn left onto South Mopac Service Road
Lane positioning matters here
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
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
Keep slight right at fork toward 5th Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.88 one way
$91.77 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $51.25 | $102.50 |
| premium | $4.23 | $55.72 | $111.45 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $63.25 | $126.51 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
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, 2026-07-13.
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.
Origin
Odessa, TX
Late night in Odessa on Monday
Local time
12:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 8:45AM CDT until July 17 at 11:45AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 8:25AM CDT until July 20 at 6:32PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Austin, TX
Late night in Austin on Monday
Local time
12:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Partly Sunny
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 8:45AM CDT until July 17 at 11:45AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 8:25AM CDT until July 20 at 6:32PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
95°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
6 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
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
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.
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.
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.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
Total Climb
39 ft
Total Descent
2,451 ft
Highest Point
2,898 ft
Elevation Range
2,411 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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.
Fm 715: Garden City
San Angelo
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Starbucks
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
Odessa, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websiteStarbucks
Cafe
Near the end, right off the route
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: Mo-Fr 05:30-21:00, Sa,Su 06:30-19:00
Bennu Coffee Shop
Cafe
Near the end, right off the route
Austin
Hours: Mo-Su 06:00-01:00
Visit websiteStarbucks
Cafe
Near the end, right off the route
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Starbucks
Cafe
Near the end, short detour
Austin, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websiteStarbucks
Cafe
Near the end, short detour
Cuisine: coffee_shop
III Forks
Restaurant
Near the end, right off the route
Cuisine: steak_house
Visit websiteSonic
Fast_food
Later in the drive, right off the route
Llano, TX
Cuisine: burger
Hours: Mo-Th 07:00-22:00; Fr 07:00-23:00; Sa 08...
Visit websiteTaco Bell
Fast_food
Later in the drive, right off the route
Llano, TX
Cuisine: tex-mex
Hours: 09:00-24:00
Visit websiteMom's
Restaurant
Later in the drive, right off the route
Ed & Tom's Bar-B-Que
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
Odessa, TX
Cuisine: barbecue
24 Diner
Restaurant
Near the end, right off the route
Austin, TX
Cuisine: diner
Hours: 07:00-23:00
Visit websiteSouth Congress Bat Colony
Attraction
Near the end, right off the route
Doug Sahm Hill
Viewpoint
Near the end, right off the route
Santa Rita No. 1 Oil Well
Attraction
Near the end, short detour
Bee Caves Preserve
Park
Near the end, short detour
Gus Fruh Park
Park
Near the end, short detour
Lake Austin
Attraction
Near the end, short detour
Site of The Dawson Saloon
Memorial
Near the start, right off the route
Odessa Telephone Exchange
Memorial
Near the start, right off the route
Odessa Land & Townsite Company
Memorial
Near the start, right off the route
Site of Old Livery Stable and Wagon Yard
Memorial
Near the start, right off the route
Twinkle Twinkle Lone Star Guitar
Monument
Near the end, right off the route
Site of The Odessa Sanitarium
Memorial
Near the start, right off the route
Southern Hotel
Hotel
Later in the drive, right off the route
TX
Westgate Motel
Motel
Near the start, short detour
Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.
About the Cities
Starting 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
Arriving in Austin, TX
Full guide →“City of the Violet Crown” · Founded 1835
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
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 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
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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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