If you want to understand Midland, the Petroleum Museum is a good place to start. It’s the story of the ground under our feet and the industry that built the town, all under one roof off I-20.
The Permian Basin Petroleum Museum sits at 1500 West Interstate 20 in Midland, on the north service road near Exit 136. It opened in 1975 and has spent the decades since telling the story of the Permian Basin: the geology, the technology, and the people behind one of the most productive oil regions in the world. Here’s what to know before you go.
Where It Is and When It’s Open
The museum is easy to reach right off Interstate 20 on the west side of Midland.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 2 to 5 p.m. on Sunday. At last check, admission was $12 for adults, $8 for students (kindergarten through college) and seniors 65 and up, and free for children under five. Check petroleummuseum.org for current prices and holiday hours.
What You’ll See Inside
The indoor galleries cover a lot of ground. One section walks through the geology of the Permian period, when a shallow sea covered West Texas and laid down the marine life that eventually became oil and gas. From there the exhibits move into the technology of the petroleum industry: how drilling works, how the science evolved, and how the Basin became what it is today.
Two collections tend to surprise first-time visitors. The museum holds a gallery of Chaparral race cars designed by Midland’s own Jim Hall, the innovator whose ground-effects and aerodynamic ideas changed motorsport. It also displays paintings by artist Tom Lovell that depict the natural and human history of the region.
The Petroleum Hall of Fame rounds out the indoor experience, honoring more than 140 men and women who shaped the Permian Basin’s oil and gas industry.
The Outdoor Rig Yard
Don’t skip the outside. The museum’s 40-acre outdoor exhibit area holds antique and modern drilling rigs, production equipment, and related machinery, described as one of the largest collections of its type in the world. Walking among the full-size rigs gives a sense of scale that the indoor models can’t, and it’s a favorite stop for kids who want to see the real thing up close. Wear comfortable shoes and plan for sun; there’s not much shade out among the equipment.
Good to Know Before You Go
Give yourself a couple of hours to see it properly, more if you’re reading every panel. The museum works well as an indoor stop on a hot afternoon, and it pairs naturally with other stops on this side of town. If you’re building a day around it, our roundup of things to do in Midland with kids and the guide to the I-20 Wildlife Preserve, just down the interstate, both make easy add-ons. It’s also a solid rainy-day or out-of-towner option when you want to show visitors what makes Midland tick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Petroleum Museum in Midland?
It’s at 1500 West Interstate 20 in Midland, on the north service road near Exit 136 on the west side of town.
What are the Petroleum Museum’s hours?
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 2 to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Check petroleummuseum.org for holiday hours.
How much does the Petroleum Museum cost?
At last check, $12 for adults, $8 for students and seniors, and free for kids under five. See the museum’s website for current pricing.
Is the Petroleum Museum good for kids?
Yes. The outdoor rig yard and interactive exhibits tend to hold younger visitors’ attention, and student pricing keeps it an easy family outing.
How long does it take to visit?
Most visitors spend one to two hours, longer if you explore the full 40-acre outdoor exhibit area.
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