Midland travel guide

Midland, United States

By the Travel Wiki editorial team

Midland

Introduction

Midland is the county seat of Midland County in West Texas, with small portions reaching into Martin County. It sits in the Permian Basin and is a major center for American oil and natural gas production, so the city's identity is bound up with the energy industry that surrounds it.

Getting around

Midland is sprawling and car-oriented, and that shapes nearly every decision about getting around. Destinations are spread across a wide area, so a private vehicle is by far the most practical way to cover the city. Midland sits on Interstate 20 roughly halfway between Fort Worth and El Paso, which makes it easy to reach by car and straightforward to navigate once you're there. Renting a car puts the city's scattered hotels, restaurants and attractions within easy reach and opens up day trips across the region. If you'd rather not drive, taxis, ride-hailing and shuttle services are available; ride-hailing and taxis are generally the most flexible way to get around without a car, particularly in the evenings or on Sundays when the buses don't run. Shuttles are useful for airport transfers and other pre-planned trips.

Public transit is provided by the EZ-Rider bus system, which runs fixed routes through the city, alongside service from All Aboard America. It's a usable option if your trip lines up with a route and a schedule, but coverage and frequency are limited: routes don't reach every part of the metro area, buses run mainly during daytime hours on weekdays and Saturdays only, and there is no service on Sundays or major holidays. Check current routes and timetables in advance and build your day around them. There is no rail, metro or tram network, so ground transport here means road-based options. Walking won't get you through daily errands given the sprawl, though downtown is the most walkable area and short walks there are pleasant and useful. Biking is a mixed proposition: some bike lanes and trails exist and the flat terrain helps, but high temperatures, occasional dust storms and car-oriented infrastructure make it a leisure activity or a supplement to driving rather than a replacement. From Midland International Air & Space Port, itself the closest commercial airport to Big Bend National Park, you can reach town by pre-arranged shuttle, taxi, ride-hailing or rental car, with EZ-Rider the budget option subject to its limited routes and hours.

Three days in Midland

Day one: Start in Midland itself, getting your bearings in the county seat of Midland County in West Texas. Walking and biking are good ways to cover the downtown streets, and public transit around town is handled by EZ Rider. If you need a car, renting is straightforward, and Interstate routes connect Midland with both Fort Worth and El Paso. Check schedules carefully, since some services run only on Saturdays or Sundays.

Day two: Look outward across the Permian Basin, which stretches beyond Midland into neighbouring Martin County. Shuttles and services such as All Aboard America can help you get around the wider region, and there are options from Midland International Air and Space Port if you are arriving or departing by air. Check timetables in advance, as some connections operate only on certain days.

Day three: Give the day over to a longer excursion. Big Bend National Park lies within reach for a full day out, and American Destinations can help with arranging the trip. If you are returning to Midland afterwards, plan your transport ahead and confirm what runs on Saturdays and Sundays before you set off.

About this place