Trip from Alice, TX to Lubbock, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
9h 5m
Distance
509.5 mi
820 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$70
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Alice, TX
Atahan Demir
Lubbock, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Embarking on the 514.4-mile journey from Alice, TX, to Lubbock, TX, will take approximately 7 hours and 58 minutes of driving time. This long-distance drive is comfortably achievable in a single day, though you'll want to start early to make the most of it. With an estimated fuel cost of $79 and planned stops, this trip through the Great Plains region of Texas offers a straightforward travel experience. It’s a practical route for those looking to cover ground efficiently between these two Texas cities.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
254.7 miles from Alice, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 34m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 281 | 104.9 mi | 1h 52m |
| I 10 | 98.7 mi | 1h 37m |
| US 84 | 74.5 mi | 1h 14m |
| Frisco Avenue | 41.9 mi | 44m |
| State Highway 153 | 29.5 mi | 33m |
| North Main Street | 29.3 mi | 30m |
| Highway 84 | 20 mi | 19m |
| Roberts Avenue | 16.5 mi | 18m |
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~537 veh/hr typical · worst 948
Quietest
3 AM
~95 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alice, TX and Lubbock, TX.
Start on East 2nd Street
Turn right onto North Cameron Street
Turn left onto East 3rd Street
At end of road, turn right onto US 281 Business
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 281
Keep slight left at fork onto US 281
Continue on US 281
Take the exit onto US 281
Take the exit
Turn left onto East César E. Chávez Boulevard
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 10; I 35; US 87
Take the exit onto I 10; US 87
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 87
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
Take the exit onto US 83
Turn right onto US 83; US 377
Continue on US 83
Continue on US 83
Turn right onto US 67; US 83
Turn left onto TX 158
Turn right onto FM 2111
Turn left onto TX 153
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 153
Turn right onto TX 70
Continue on TX 70
Turn left onto Northwest Georgia Avenue
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 20; US 84
Take the exit onto US 84
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84
Turn right onto Loop 46
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 207
Turn straight onto TX 207
Turn left onto Spur 575
Turn right onto US 84
Continue on US 84
Continue on US 84
Continue on US 84
Continue on US 84
Continue on US 84
Turn right onto US 62; TX 114
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 7-hour and 58-minute drive, an early morning departure from Alice, TX, is recommended to ensure you reach Lubbock, TX, with daylight to spare. With two planned stops, you can break up the 514.4-mile journey effectively, perhaps every 2-3 hours. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $79 estimated cost reflects the distance, and plan your refueling stops accordingly. Since this is a single-day trip, flexibility is your advantage; adjust your stop timing as needed based on traffic or your personal pace.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 112 miles or 2h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 254.7 miles or 4h 34m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 254.7 miles or 4h 34m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 8h 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lubbock, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
Open the route before leaving Alice, TX so your first major turns are already loaded.
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Alice, TX
Aim for roughly 255 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Lubbock, TX
Aim for roughly 255 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
168 mi into the route
Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch
This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.
Second major stop
Overnight candidate
336 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Mount Pleasant, TXOvernight Options
Night 1
255 mi · about 4.5h in
A practical overnight split lands near Junction, TX after about 255 miles or 4.5 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
A short stop after about 112 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 254.7 miles from Alice, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 281 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 104.9 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 255 miles or 4.5 hours on the road.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Rest Area
Kerr County Westbound Rest Area
Llano Estacado Picnic Area
Picnic Area
Love's Travel Stop
Picnic Area
Rest Area
Picnic Area
Kerr County Eastbound Rest Area
Picnic Area
Picnic Area
Picnic Area
Live Oak County Southbound Rest Area
Service Plaza
Scenic View
Picnic Area
Love's Travel Stop
TA
Service Plaza
Eagles Landing Travel Plaza
QuikTrip
Picnic Area
Pilot Travel Center
Love's Travel Stop
Picnic Area
Live Oak County Northbound Rest Area
Pilot Travel Center
Service Plaza
Service Plaza
Service Plaza
Service Plaza
Service Plaza
Service Plaza
Service Plaza
Service Plaza
Service Plaza
Service Plaza
Flying J Travel Center
Mackenzie Main City Park
Near the end, short detour
Lubbock, Texas
Hours: 7 am–8 pm
+18067752673
Visit websiteAmerican Windmill Museum
Near the end, short detour
Lubbock, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+18067478734
Visit websiteThe Escape Game San Antonio
Early in the drive, ~12 min detour
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 8 am–12 pm
+17262273834
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 315 decision points cluster between mile 123.6 and 239.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the exit toward Cesar Estrada Chavez Boulevard, Alamodome
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit onto I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway toward I 10 West, US 87 North: El Paso
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit onto US 83 toward US 83 North, US 377: Junction, Menard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$69.79 one way
$139.57 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $77.95 | $155.90 |
| premium | $4.23 | $84.75 | $169.50 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $96.20 | $192.41 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$70
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$200–$310
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 178.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $54 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 152.9 | 1 | $53.50 | $24.46 |
| Efficient EV | 127.4 | 1 | $44.58 | $20.38 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 203.8 | 2 | $71.33 | $32.61 |
Gas CO2
178 kg
EV CO2
60 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Alice, TX
Late night in Alice on Monday
Local time
12:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Partly Sunny
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 5:23PM CDT until July 16 at 8:30PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 16 at 5:19PM CDT until July 16 at 5:30PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
Destination
Lubbock, TX
Late night in Lubbock on Monday
Local time
12:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 5:23PM CDT until July 16 at 8:30PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 16 at 5:19PM CDT until July 16 at 5:30PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
11 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
9h 5m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Welcome to San Antonio Missions, a National Park Service site and the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas. Each mission in the park is a center of community and has been since the early 1700s. Th...
Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park tells the story of our 36th president beginning with his ancestors until his final resting place on his beloved LBJ Ranch. This entire "circle of life" gives...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is characterized by its extensive use of local roads, with a 0% highway share, meaning you'll be navigating Texas's state and county routes for the entire 514.4-mile stretch. Expect a consistent driving experience without the high speeds of interstates. The drive progresses through varied Texas landscapes as you traverse from the Great Plains region of Alice to the Great Plains region of Lubbock. The absence of a designated longest stretch suggests a continuous flow of driving, punctuated by your planned stops.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 281 and I 10. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 123.6 miles in.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 31 significant decision points across 509.5 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 123.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 125.5 miles (I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 126.4 miles (I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
Total Climb
3,586 ft
Total Descent
583 ft
Highest Point
3,203 ft
~509.5 mi in
Elevation Range
3,003 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Alice, TX and Lubbock, TX, road signs point toward Alamodome and Menard.
Alamodome
Menard
About the Cities
Starting in Alice, TX
Full guide →Founded 1888
Alice is a city of 19,000 people (2018) on the South Texas Plains between Corpus Christi, McAllen, Laredo, and San Antonio. It is a focal point for the oil industry in the area, and is considered to the "birthplace of Tejano music".
Arriving in Lubbock, TX
Full guide →“Hub City” · Founded 1890
Lubbock is the largest city in the Panhandle of Texas and serves as the area's agricultural and economic hub. Lubbock, commonly known as the Hub City, is in the center of the South Plains, an expansive cotton-growing region.
Top landmarks
- • Buddy Holly Center — music museum and art gallery in Lubbock, Texas
- • Holden Properties Historic District — historic district in Lubbock, Lubbock County, Texas
- • Cactus Theater — building in Lubbock, Lubbock County, Texas
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Frequently Asked Questions
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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