Movers in Odessa

Odessa at a glance

Odessa is the seat of Ector County, with 114,428 people at the 2020 census. It's the other half of the Midland-Odessa area and home to the University of Texas Permian Basin.

What that means for your move

Many moves in the area run between Odessa and Midland, about 20 miles apart along I-20. A move like this still means loading, highway driving and unloading, so ask whether the mover prices it as a local hourly job or by the trip. Students moving in and out around UTPB's semesters add to the busy weeks. See local moving.

Founded as a water stop

Odessa was founded in 1881 as a water stop and cattle shipping point on the Texas and Pacific Railway. Workers building the railroad are said to have named it after Odessa in the Russian Empire because the shortgrass prairie reminded them of the steppes back home.

Friday Night Lights

The city is famous as the setting of the book Friday Night Lights and its film. It was incorporated in 1927, after oil was discovered nearby, and it has grown with every oil boom since. Booms bring a lot of short-notice moves, rentals and temporary housing, and movers get busy when they come. If you're moving for work on a tight timeline, book as early as you can and have your dates and addresses ready. See apartment moving.