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
Longest stretch:
US 281
— 104.9 mi, about 1h 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alice, TX and Lubbock, TX.
1
Start on East 2nd Street
94 ft·6 sec·East 2nd Street
2
Turn right onto North Cameron Street
357 ft·15 sec·North Cameron Street
3
Turn left onto East 3rd Street
0.8 mi·1 min·East 3rd Street
4
At end of road, turn right onto US 281 Business
2.7 mi·4 min·North Johnson Street
5
Take the ramp
0.6 mi·1 min
6
Merge onto US 281
36 mi·41 min·US 281
7
Keep slight left at fork onto US 281
15 mi·18 min·Nueces Street
8
Continue on US 281
0.2 mi·15 sec·US 281
9
Take the exit onto US 281
68 mi·1 hr 10 min·US 281
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 140BToward Cesar Estrada Chavez Boulevard, AlamodomeUse the slight right lane.
11
Turn left onto East César E. Chávez Boulevard
1.4 mi·3 min·East César E. Chávez Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
12
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 10 West, I 35 North
13
Merge onto I 10; I 35; US 87
93 ft·1 sec·South Pan Am Expressway
14
Take the exit onto I 10; US 87
0.9 mi·1 min·McDermott Freeway
Exit 156Toward I 10 West, US 87 North: El PasoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 87
15 mi·17 min·McDermott Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
99 mi·1 hr 37 min·I 10; US 87
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
17
Take the exit onto US 83
0.3 mi·44 sec·US 83
Exit 456Toward US 83 North, US 377: Junction, Menard
18
Turn right onto US 83; US 377
29 mi·30 min·North Main Street
Use the right lane.
19
Continue on US 83
42 mi·44 min·Frisco Avenue
20
Continue on US 83
17 mi·18 min·Roberts Avenue
21
Turn right onto US 67; US 83
387 ft·18 sec·Hutchings Avenue
Use the right lane.
22
Turn left onto TX 158
6.3 mi·7 min·North Broadway Street
Use the left lane.
23
Turn right onto FM 2111
12 mi·13 min·FM 2111
24
Turn left onto TX 153
29 mi·33 min·State Highway 153
25
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 153
19 ft·0 sec·State Highway 153
26
Turn right onto TX 70
10 mi·10 min·State Highway 70
27
Continue on TX 70
0.8 mi·1 min·Lamar Street
28
Turn left onto Northwest Georgia Avenue
0.1 mi·16 sec·Northwest Georgia Avenue
29
Take the ramp
340 ft·8 sec
Toward I 20 West: Midland
30
Merge onto I 20; US 84
6.0 mi·5 min·I 20; US 84
31
Take the exit onto US 84
0.3 mi·19 sec·US 84
Exit 238AToward US 84 West: Snyder, Lubbock
32
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84
74 mi·1 hr 14 min·US 84
33
Turn right onto Loop 46
1.0 mi·1 min·South Avenue F
34
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 207
0.1 mi·10 sec·North Avenue F
35
Turn straight onto TX 207
0.4 mi·38 sec·Ralls Road
36
Turn left onto Spur 575
0.1 mi·17 sec·East 15th Street
37
Turn right onto US 84
1.0 mi·1 min·North US Highway 84
38
Continue on US 84
20 mi·19 min·Highway 84
39
Continue on US 84
4.6 mi·4 min·Trooper Jerry Don Davis Memorial Highway
40
Continue on US 84
6.8 mi·6 min·East Highway 84
41
Continue on US 84
4.9 mi·6 min·Slaton Road
42
Continue on US 84
2.9 mi·3 min·Avenue Q South Drive
43
Turn right onto US 62; TX 114
33 ft·0 sec·19th Street
44
Arrive at destination
US 62; TX 114
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 254.7 miles from Alice, TX, or about 4h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 104.9 miles.
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.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 112 miles from Alice, TX.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 281 for about 104.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 31
5 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.
8
123.6 mi into trip|~2h 19m in
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
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 140B
Toward Cesar Estrada Chavez Boulevard, Alamodom...
8
125.5 mi into trip|~2h 23m in|I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway
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
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 156
Toward I 10 West, US 87 North: El Paso
6
126.4 mi into trip|~2h 24m in|I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
141 mi into trip|~2h 41m in|I 10; US 87
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
239.7 mi into trip|~4h 18m in|US 83
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
Exit 456
Toward US 83 North, US 377: Junction, Menard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$76.99 one way
$153.97 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg178 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$84.27
$168.54
premium
$4.54
$90.97
$181.94
diesel
$5.61
$112.49
$224.98
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$77
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$207–$317
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, 2026-04-13.
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.
Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Alice, TX
Late night
in Alice on Sunday
Local time
1:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
89°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Lubbock, TX
Late night
in Lubbock on Sunday
Local time
1:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
9 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 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...
26 mi from route
~66 min detour
Free
near mile 175.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
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.
75% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
44 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 104.9 mi on US 281.
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.
Driving Effort9/10
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.
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.
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".
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.
The longest stretch is about 104.9 miles on US 281. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 255 miles on day one.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Lubbock, TX before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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.
Yes — San Antonio Missions National Historical Park and Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 9.1 hours each way, a round trip means 18.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Lubbock, TX before the return drive.
