Loop 338
State Loop 338 encircles the city of Odessa in West Texas along a 34 mile course. South of IH 20, the belt route is two lanes wide. The loop reduces to two lanes north from Yukon Road to U.S. 385 along the northwestern quadrant as well.
Wrapping around Odessa from U.S. 385 southward to IH 20, the northeastern quadrant of Loop 338 is a four-lane, divided highway. Through the west side of Odesssa, SL 338 overlaps with SH 302 for 4.58 miles from IH 20 north to SS 450 (Kermit Highway). The north-south stretch varies from a five-lane arterial to a four-lane divided highway, with interchanges at SS 450, FM 2020, FM 3472 and Business Loop I-20.
North (Outer Loop)
This view looks north along Loop 338 from IH 20 on the east side of Odessa.
07/05/08
Loop 338's first grade separation north of IH 20 lies one half mile north of Trunk Street at Business Loop I-20. The business route was designated over former U.S. 80 in 1993 when U.S. 80 was truncated to end in the DFW area.
07/05/08
Loop 338 meets Business Loop I-20 at a folded diamond interchange across a Union Pacific Railroad line. This section of the loop opened in 1967. It was extended south of IH 20 to become a full circle around Odessa in the late 80s and early 90s.
07/05/08
Loop 338 northbound at BL 20. Midland International Air & Space Port (MAF) is to the east, located between Odessa and Midland.
07/05/08
Confirming marker for SL 338 north beyond the loop ramp for Business Loop I-20 (old U.S. 80). The hotel in the distance serves the adjacent University of Texas of the Permian Basin. The University opened in 1973 to give Midland/Odessa a center for higher education.
07/05/08
The first light encountered north of IH 20 is with University Boulevard and Circle Drive. University runs west along the south side of UTPB and all the way through Odessa to Loop 338 again on the west side of town. However that intersection is grade separated, while this one is not.
07/05/08
A Loop 338 northbound reassurance marker past University Boulevard.
07/05/08
SH 191 appears in the distance as the next major intersection for the loop.
07/05/08
SH 191 forms an important link between Midland and Odessa, and is a freeway between the two cities. It is more used than IH 20 as a connection because the majority of the urban population lives far to the north of the interstate.
07/05/08
Loop 338 northbound at the diamond interchange with SH 191.
07/05/08
Photo Credits:
- Justin Cozart: 07/05/08
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Page Updated Tuesday January 30, 2018.