Concho County Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from West 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 47m
Distance
342.2 mi
551 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$47
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 36m
★
6 AM
6h 48m
8 AM
7h 11m
10 AM
6h 56m
12 PM
6h 54m
3 PM
6h 57m
5 PM
7h 10m
8 PM
6h 41m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
West Odessa, TX
Megan Bailey
Austin, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
West Odessa, TX to Austin, TX is 342.2 miles and takes about 6h 47m via US 87, with a fuel budget near $50 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region, taking you from West Texas into the heart of the state. The profile is mostly highway, so expect a straightforward drive. With only one recommended stop and a manageable duration, this route is a solid option for a single-day transit between these two Texas cities.
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
171.1 miles from West Odessa, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 16m 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 | 16.1 mi | 16m |
| US Highway 87 South | 14.6 mi | 14m |
| West University Boulevard | 11.3 mi | 17m |
| Bee Caves Road | 10.3 mi | 15m |
Longest stretch:
US 87
— 104.4 mi, about 1h 55m
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~1,837 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~269 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 45 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 West Odessa, TX and Austin, TX.
1
Start on this road
97 ft
·
7 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left
79 ft
·
10 sec
3
Turn left onto FM 2020
11 mi
·
17 min
·
West University Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Turn right onto Loop 338
0.6 mi
·
51 sec
·
Ray C. Stoker, Jr. Memorial Highway
Use the right lane.
5
Continue on Loop 338
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Northeast Loop 338
Use the straight lane.
6
Turn left onto East Interstate 20
367 ft
·
9 sec
·
East Interstate 20
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward I 20 East: Midland
8
Merge onto I 20
16 mi
·
16 min
·
I 20
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 137B
Toward TX 158, FM 715: Garden City, San Angelo
10
Turn straight onto East Interstate 20
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
East Interstate 20
11
Turn right onto TX 158
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Garden City Highway
12
Continue on TX 158
61 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
East State Highway 158
13
Merge onto US 87; TX 158; TX 163
2.6 mi
·
2 min
·
US Highway 87 North
14
Continue on US 87; TX 158; TX 163
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
4th Street
15
Continue on US 87
15 mi
·
14 min
·
US Highway 87 South
16
Continue on US 87
104 mi
·
1 hr 55 min
·
US 87
17
Turn right onto US 87; US 190; US 377
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Bridge Street
18
Turn left onto TX 71
47 mi
·
50 min
·
State Highway 71
19
Turn left onto TX 29; TX 71
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
TX 29; TX 71
20
Turn right onto TX 16; TX 71
0.4 mi
·
31 sec
·
Bessemer Avenue
21
Continue on TX 16; TX 71
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Ford Street
22
Turn left onto TX 71
58 mi
·
1 hr 18 min
·
TX 71
23
Turn left onto RM 2244
8.0 mi
·
11 min
·
Bee Caves Road
Use the left lane.
24
Continue on RM 2244
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Bee Cave Road
25
Continue on RM 2244
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Bee Caves Road
26
Turn left onto South Mopac Service Road
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
South Mopac Service Road
Use the left lane.
27
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Toward Loop 1 North
28
Merge onto Loop 1
0.6 mi
·
42 sec
·
South Mopac Expressway
29
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
Toward 5th Street, Lake Austin Boulevard, Cesar Chavez Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Toward West 5th Street, Lake Austin Boulevard
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
31
Keep slight right at fork
120 ft
·
2 sec
Toward 5th Street
Use the slight right lane.
32
Turn straight onto West 5th Street
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
West 5th Street
Use the straight lane.
33
Arrive at destination
East 5th Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6h 47m drive, consider an early morning departure from West Odessa to maximize daylight. With a fuel cost estimated at $50, planning your fill-ups ahead of time is wise, especially given the longest stretch without services might be around 104.4 miles on US 87. While the drive is feasible in one day, a single stop is recommended for a break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the mid-point of the journey to ensure you have enough to reach your next refueling opportunity.
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 171.1 miles from West Odessa, TX, or about 3h 16m 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 75 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 171.1 miles or 3h 16m 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 22m
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 West 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 West Odessa, TX
This is one driving day of about 342.2 miles and 6h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 75 miles from West 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
171 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 75 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 171.1 miles from West 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
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
1.2 mi from route
TXB Market
2.4 mi from route
Austin Bat Tours
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.2 mi from route
~1 min detour
Austin, Texas
Hours: 9 am–10 pm
Visit websiteBadu Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, right off the route
Final third
0.2 mi from route
~1 min detour
Llano, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
+13252474158
Visit websiteBotanical Gates of Paradise
4.1
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.7 mi from route
~4 min detour
Austin, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
Permian Basin Petroleum Museum
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Midland, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+14326834403
Visit websiteDennis the Menace Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
3.2 mi from route
~8 min detour
Midland, Texas
Hours: 6 am–10 pm
+14326857356
Visit websiteHeart of Texas Country Music Museum
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Final third
2.8 mi from route
~7 min detour
Brady, Texas
Hours: Closed
+13255971895
Visit websiteMuseum of the Southwest
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the start, ~9 min detour
First break
3.6 mi from route
~9 min detour
Midland, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+14326832882
Visit websiteBlakemore Planetarium
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~9 min detour
First break
3.5 mi from route
~9 min detour
Midland, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+14322379106
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 215 decision points cluster between mile 11.3 and 340.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
11.3 mi into trip
|
~17m in
|
Loop 338 / Ray C. Stoker, Jr. Memorial Highway
Turn right onto Loop 338 / Ray C. Stoker, Jr. Memorial Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
29.2 mi into trip
|
~37m 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
7
340.3 mi into trip
|
~6h 43m 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
340.4 mi into trip
|
~6h 43m 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
340.5 mi into trip
|
~6h 44m 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
$46.87 one way
$93.74 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
120 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $52.35 | $104.71 |
| premium | $4.23 | $56.92 | $113.84 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $64.61 | $129.23 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$47
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 119.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 102.7 | 1 | $35.93 | $16.43 |
| Efficient EV | 85.6 | 0 | $29.94 | $13.69 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 136.9 | 1 | $47.91 | $21.90 |
Gas CO2
120 kg
EV CO2
40 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
West Odessa, TX
Late night in West Odessa on Monday
Local time
2:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
87°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
S 15 mph
36% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 7:12AM CDT until July 17 at 10:15AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 7:00AM CDT until July 17 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Destination
Austin, TX
Late night in Austin on Monday
Local time
2:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Partly Sunny
SSE 5 to 10 mph
6% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 7:12AM CDT until July 17 at 10:15AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 7:00AM CDT until July 17 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
95°F
Mason, TX
171 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
5 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 47m 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...
22 mi from route
~56 min detour
Free
near mile 295
Park Closure: Texas White House Complex Closure
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 90% of the route on major roads. You'll experience a stretch of 104.4 miles on US 87 before transitioning to surface roads. Expect a rural cruising feel for much of the trip, punctuated by the occasional exit or town. The highway portions offer consistent speed limits and straightforward navigation.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 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 11.3 miles in near Loop 338 / Ray C. Stoker, Jr. Memorial Highway.
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 21 significant decision points across 342.2 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 11.3 miles (Loop 338 / Ray C. Stoker, Jr. Memorial Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 29.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 340.3 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
2,963 ft
487 ft
Total Climb
44 ft
Total Descent
2,520 ft
Highest Point
2,963 ft
Elevation Range
2,477 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 West Odessa, TX and Austin, TX, road signs point toward Fm 715: Garden City and San Angelo.
Fm 715: Garden City
29.2 mi in
|
~37m
San Angelo
29.2 mi in
|
~37m
About the Cities
Starting in West Odessa, TX
Full guide →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 47m. Total distance: 342.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 47m 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.
Yes — we found about 9 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 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. There are 9 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 11.3 miles (Loop 338 / Ray C. Stoker, Jr. Memorial Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 29.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 340.3 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 6.8 hours each way, a round trip means 13.6 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.
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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