Driving to Midland in a few weeks for work. Anyone know of the best route? Playing with google maps, there seem to be a 100 different routes all within an hour or so of driving time estimate.

Efficiency, scenery, and a worthwhile lunch stop are all factors. Thanks!

I always went this way:

1. Take I-10 West
2. When you get to San Antonio, exit onto the 1604 Loop (This is my preference simply to avoid the downtown SA traffic. You could stay on 10 and be just fine)
3. Continue on I-10 West all the way to Ozona and exit onto Highway 163
4. Just as you leave Ozona, veer left onto Highway 137
5. Follow 137 through Big Lake and turn left onto Highway 158
6. Highway 158 will take you right into downtown Midland.

I've traveled back and forth from Midland and Houston thousands of times, and that's the route that we've always taken. We can usually make that drive in a little over 7 hours or so.

Depending on your willingness to speed, I've taken I-20 to Hwy 6 through CS all the way to 290 in Houston and made it in about 7 hrs as well. I averaged 80ish mph though so you really have to stay in it to keep that pace.

Also my route avoids 158 which is arguably the most dangerous road in West Texas, but if you're travelling on a weekend it's not bad.

Which side of Houston are you coming from?
If Katy - Go I-10 to Ozona to Midland as shown above.
If North Houston - Can go I-45 to I-20 to Midland.
You can cut off near Ennis, I think, south of Dallas.

Drive to airport.
Walk to terminal.
Sit on plane.
Get rental car.

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Also my route avoids 158 which is arguably the most dangerous road in West Texas, but if you're travelling on a weekend it's not bad.

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This is also something to consider these days. I haven't made that drive in awhile, and I hear the traffic out there has really picked up with the oil boom

None of the local school districts even allow their school buses on 158 anymore, it's too risky. Our company has recommended we take an alternate route to work if at all possible. Apparently last year there were as many fatalities on roads in Midland as in the Austin, which has 2-3x the population.

Damn. Perhaps it's time for Midland to think about another freeway-type road other than the loop to create better traffic flow?

There are rumors of the loop expanding to the south. I don't really know what other roads it would make sense to build to go south towards the field. The problem is oilfield traffic with lots of new truck drivers + long hours behind the wheel and impatience/tight deadlines.

Thanks for all the info, I'll probably take the I-10 route there, and maybe take a route through central TX and Austin on the way back just for a change of scenery.

Thanks for the heads up on 158, I'll be driving on Sunday both ways so hopefully won't be too bad.

if traffic on 158 is going to be this bad, it needs to be divide 4 lanes all the way to san angelo.

I always make the trip pass through Aggie land....
290
Hwy 6 to Hearne
485 to 53 to Temple
53/36 to Abilene
I20 to Midland

sports, how long does College Station to Midland take you? I've always gone Hwy 6 to I-20, I-20 to Midland. 6.5 hours if you don't stop. I've heard your route may be quicker.

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sports, how long does College Station to Midland take you? I've always gone Hwy 6 to I-20, I-20 to Midland. 6.5 hours if you don't stop. I've heard your route may be quicker.

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I've always made better time going the route you take. But the route through Temple is very pretty. So it's a tradeoff in my opinion

It depends on what part of Houston you are coming from. If I go to my Brother's house in Spring, I take I20, Hwy 6 then I45 to Spring. If I go to my parent's house in Texas City, I go to Ozona, I10 to Houston, Sam Houston Tollway to I45 and down. Distance is about the same, it's all about avoiding Houston traffic as much as possible.
If you go the Ozona route, be extremely cautious of oilfield traffic. Give those trucks plenty of room. They will pull right in front of you coming off those lease roads pulling onto hwy 137.

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1. Take I-10 West
2. When you get to San Antonio, exit onto the 1604 Loop (This is my preference simply to avoid the downtown SA traffic. You could stay on 10 and be just fine)
3. Continue on I-10 West all the way to Ozona and exit onto Highway 163
4. Just as you leave Ozona, veer left onto Highway 137
5. Follow 137 through Big Lake and turn left onto Highway 158
6. Highway 158 will take you right into downtown Midland.

I've traveled back and forth from Midland and Houston thousands of times, and that's the route that we've always taken. We can usually make that drive in a little over 7 hours or so.

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You can also keep heading west on I-10 past Ozona and take 349 (1st exit after crossing the Pecos River)from Iraan to Rankin to Midland. It's about the same distance but a much better road and safer than 158. It's more scenic, too.

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It's more scenic, too.

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I have never gone through Iraan before, but I promise this is probably 100% accurate. 137 is a boring boring drive