SH 82 was originally designated on August 21, 1923, on a route from the West Texas town of Monahans south to Fort Stockton, with a planned extension south to Sanderson, replacing part of SH 17.

[5] The planned extension to Sanderson was transferred to newly designated U.S. Highway 285 (cosigned since 1935) on September 26, 1939.

On February 27, 1958, the remainder of the route was renumbered as SH 18, to coordinate with its intersection with New Mexico State Road 18.

On January 7, 1987, the route was extended 2.1 miles (3.4 km) to SH 73 incorporating the former Spur 214.

Media related to Texas State Highway 82 at Wikimedia Commons