How far is Odessa, TX from Abilene, TX?

The driving distance from Odessa, TX to Abilene, TX is about 170.4 miles (274.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 58m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 159.6 miles (256.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 56m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
170.47 mi
02h 58m
Flight
159.65 mi
256.93 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Odessa.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
159.65 mi
Kilometers
256.93 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
170.47 mi
Kilometers
274.35 km
Drive Time
02h 58m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 02h 58m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Abilene
Thu, Oct 15, 2:46 PM CDT
Return by in Odessa
Thu, Oct 15, 5:44 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Odessa
2026-10-15T11:48
Arrive Abilene
Thu, Oct 15, 2:46 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 58m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:58 AM to 12:58 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
12:34 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Odessa
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Coahoma
TX

Human settlement in Howard County, Texas, United States of America

From Odessa
85.1 mi
01h 29m
To Abilene
85.4 mi
01h 29m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
77°F
Thursday

Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms then Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph E
Destination
87°F
Thursday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Odessa and Abilene.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Odessa and Abilene.

  1. 1

    Start on North Grant Avenue

    4 m · 7 sec · North Grant Avenue

  2. 2

    Continue on North Grant Avenue

    1.4 mi · 3 min · North Grant Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn left onto East Interstate 20

    107 m · 9 sec · East Interstate 20

  4. 4

    Take the ramp slight left toward I 20 East: Midland

    720 ft · 18 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    161.8 mi · 2 hr 44 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward I 20 East, US 84 East: Abilene

    4.7 mi · 7 min

  7. 7

    Turn left onto South Leggett Drive

    109 m · 12 sec · South Leggett Drive

  8. 8

    Turn right onto North 1st Street

    2.2 mi · 4 min · North 1st Street

  9. 9

    Turn right onto South Pine Street

    78 m · 7 sec · South Pine Street

  10. 10

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Pine Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Odessa and Abilene.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
10 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
5.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 20 East
167 mi · 98%
North 1st Street
2.2 mi · 1%
North Grant Avenue
1.45 mi · 1%
South Leggett Drive
0.07 mi
East Interstate 20
0.07 mi
South Pine Street
0.05 mi
Longest Stretch

I 20 East

Merge slight left

162 mi · 02h 44m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 58m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 56m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+10.8 mi
159.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Coahoma
01h 29m from Odessa
Leave By
12:34 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms then Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Odessa and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Abilene.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Odessa to Abilene?

The road trip is about 170.4 miles (274.3 km) and usually takes 02h 58m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Coahoma is a useful midpoint, sitting about 85.1 miles from Odessa and 85.4 miles from Abilene.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 159.6 miles (256.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.8 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:34 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.11 one way or $46.22 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms then Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms around Odessa and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Abilene.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Odessa and Abilene. Straight-line distance: 159.65 mi (256.93 km).

Odessa

#1 Odessa

The second most populous city in Ector County, Texas.

Population125,413
Coordinates31.8456800, -102.3676400
Altitude884
CountryUnited States
Abilene

#2 Abilene

The third most populous city in Taylor County, Texas.

Population124,407
Coordinates32.4487400, -99.7331400
Altitude524
CountryUnited States
Start: Odessa (-102.36764, 31.84568)
End: Abilene (-99.73314, 32.44874)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 274 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 40m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 15m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 24m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 50m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 26m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 07m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.02 gal
22.77 L · about $23.11
Round trip
$46.22
12.04 gal · 45.54 L
Estimated CO2
53.5 kg one way
Round trip: 107 kg / 236 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.84 $23.11 $46.22
Mid-grade $4.35 $26.17 $52.34
Premium $4.72 $28.43 $56.86
Diesel $5.78 $34.77 $69.54

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Texas · Oct 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Odessa and Abilene. The current time is 11:48:39.

Distance to Other Cities

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.