Trip from Austin, TX to Lockney, TX

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

7h 42m

Distance

400.3 mi

644 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$55

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 28 min

4 AM

7h 33m ★

6 AM

7h 42m

8 AM

8h 1m

10 AM

7h 49m

12 PM

7h 47m

3 PM

7h 50m

5 PM

8h 0m

8 PM

7h 36m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Austin, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Lockney, TX

Jeff Stapleton

Trip Overview

Austin to Lockney is 400.3 miles and takes about 7h 42m via US 84 and US 183, with a fuel budget near $58 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip takes you north through the heart of Texas, moving from the Great Plains region in Austin to the same region in Lockney. The drive is mostly on major highways, making it a straightforward trek for a single day. With two planned stops and a fuel cost under $60, it's an accessible option for getting across the state without breaking the bank.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

200.1 miles from Austin, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 46m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
US 84	104.9 mi	1h 49m
North US Highway 183	72.6 mi	1h 18m
State Highway 153	69 mi	1h 14m
Ralls Road	55.5 mi	1h 19m
East Commerce Street	22 mi	25m
183A Toll	14.6 mi	14m
US 183	11.3 mi	13m
US 70	10.9 mi	16m

Longest stretch: US 84 — 104.9 mi, about 1h 49m

Traffic on I-20

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

3 PM

~1,210 veh/hr typical · worst 1,594

Quietest

3 AM

~203 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

6×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

Averaged across 31 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 Austin, TX and Lockney, TX.

Start on East 5th Street

0.3 mi · 52 sec · East 5th Street

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn left onto Red River Street

0.1 mi · 20 sec · Red River Street

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto East 7th Street

0.1 mi · 17 sec · East 7th Street

Use the right lane.

Turn left onto North Interstate 35

0.2 mi · 26 sec · North Interstate 35

Use the left lane.

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 22 sec

Toward I 35 North, US 290 East

Merge onto I 35; US 290

0.6 mi · 42 sec · Purple Heart Trail

Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 290

4.0 mi · 4 min · Purple Heart Trail

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 1 min

Exit 240B Toward US 183 North: Lampasas Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto US 183

11 mi · 13 min · US 183

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on 183A Toll

15 mi · 14 min · 183A Toll

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 183

36 mi · 38 min · North US Highway 183

Continue on US 183

2.3 mi · 4 min · South Key Avenue

Continue on US 183; US 190; US 281

0.2 mi · 14 sec · North US Highway 281

Keep slight left at fork onto US 183; US 190

37 mi · 40 min · North US Highway 183

At end of road, turn left onto US 84; US 183; TX 16

30 mi · 34 min · US 84; US 183; TX 16

Turn left onto US 67; US 84; US 183; US 377

1.7 mi · 2 min · Early Boulevard

Continue on US 67; US 84; US 377

22 mi · 25 min · East Commerce Street

Keep slight right at fork onto US 84; US 283

7.2 mi · 8 min · Wallis Avenue

Turn right onto TX 153

0.9 mi · 1 min · East Walnut Street

Continue on TX 153; TX 206

1.0 mi · 1 min · West Walnut Street

Continue on TX 153

69 mi · 1 hr 14 min · State Highway 153

Keep slight right at fork onto TX 153

19 ft · 0 sec · State Highway 153

Turn right onto TX 70

10 mi · 10 min · State Highway 70

Continue on TX 70

0.8 mi · 1 min · Lamar Street

Turn left onto Northwest Georgia Avenue

0.1 mi · 16 sec · Northwest Georgia Avenue

Take the ramp

340 ft · 8 sec

Toward I 20 West: Midland

Merge onto I 20; US 84

6.0 mi · 5 min · I 20; US 84

Take the exit onto US 84

0.3 mi · 19 sec · US 84

Exit 238A Toward US 84 West: Snyder, Lubbock

Keep slight left at fork onto US 84

74 mi · 1 hr 14 min · US 84

Turn right onto Loop 46

1.0 mi · 1 min · South Avenue F

Keep slight left at fork onto TX 207

0.1 mi · 10 sec · North Avenue F

Turn straight onto TX 207

55 mi · 1 hr 19 min · Ralls Road

At end of road, turn left onto US 70

11 mi · 16 min · US 70

Turn right onto FM 378

0.8 mi · 1 min · Farm to Market Road 378

Turn left onto FM 97

0.5 mi · 51 sec · East Locust Street

Arrive at destination

FM 97

Trip Plan

Since this is a single-day drive of just under 8 hours, leaving Austin in the morning is your best bet to arrive in Lockney with daylight to spare. You have two recommended stops to break up the 400.3 miles, which should be sufficient for stretching your legs and grabbing a bite. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 104.9-mile stretch on US 84, as services can be spread out in some rural sections. The estimated fuel cost of $58 is based on average prices, so it's wise to budget a little extra.

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 200.1 miles from Austin, TX, or about 3h 46m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 104.9 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 88 miles or 1h 40m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 200.1 miles or 3h 46m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 6h 15m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lockney, TX than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Austin, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Austin, TX

This is one driving day of about 400.3 miles and 7h 42m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 88 miles from Austin, TX.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on US 84 for about 104.9 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in and county seat of Runnels County, Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ballinger, TX

200 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Kempner, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 88 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Ballinger, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 200.1 miles from Austin, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour

Austin, Texas

Hours: 9 am–10 pm

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour

Austin, Texas

Hours: 5 am–10 pm

+15129746700

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 26

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 256.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0.3 mi into trip | ~0m in | Red River Street

Turn left onto Red River Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

0.5 mi into trip | ~1m in | East 7th Street

Turn right onto East 7th Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

1.5 mi into trip | ~3m in | I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail

Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

5.5 mi into trip | ~7m in

Take the exit toward US 183 North: Lampasas

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 240B Toward US 183 North: Lampasas

256.9 mi into trip | ~4h 47m in | US 84

Take the exit onto US 84 toward US 84 West: Snyder, Lubbock

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 238A Toward US 84 West: Snyder, Lubbock

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$54.83 one way

$109.66 round trip

$3.48/gal 25.4 MPG avg 140 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$3.89	$61.24	$122.49
premium	$4.23	$66.59	$133.17
diesel	$4.80	$75.58	$151.17

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$55

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$80–$105

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 140.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $42 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	120.1	1	$42.03	$19.21
Efficient EV	100.1	1	$35.03	$16.01
EV Truck/SUV	160.1	2	$56.04	$25.62

Gas CO2

140 kg

EV CO2

47 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 Jul 17, 2026

Origin

Austin, TX

Morning in Austin on Sunday

Local time

9:41 AM

CDT

Current temp

75°F

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

SE 5 mph 29% chance Live forecast

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 10:46PM CDT until July 17 at 3:45AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 16 at 9:36PM CDT until July 19 at 3:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

Destination

Lockney, TX

Morning in Lockney on Sunday

Local time

9:41 AM

CDT

Current temp

63°F

Partly Cloudy

S 10 to 15 mph 12% chance Live forecast

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 10:46PM CDT until July 17 at 3:45AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 16 at 9:36PM CDT until July 19 at 3:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

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.

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

12 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

7h 42m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

This route features 71% highway driving, meaning you'll spend the majority of your time on major roads. The longest continuous stretch without a major road change is 104.9 miles, primarily on US 84. You'll transition from highway to surface roads for portions of the trip, particularly when navigating through towns or on State Highway 153. Expect stretches of rural cruising interspersed with more developed areas.

71% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 104.9 mi on US 84.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 84 and North US Highway 183. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near Red River Street.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 26 significant decision points across 400.3 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 0.3 miles (Red River Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.5 miles (East 7th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.5 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes

3,280 ft 487 ft

Total Climb

3,032 ft

Total Descent

239 ft

Highest Point

3,280 ft

~400.3 mi in

Elevation Range

2,793 ft

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Austin, TX to Lockney, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Lubbock along the way.

Lubbock

256.9 mi in | ~4h 47m | via US 84

About the Cities

Starting in Austin, TX

Full guide →

“City of the Violet Crown” · Founded 1835

Austin is a city of about 1,054,000 (2026) surpassing Fort Worth to become the 4th most populous city in Texas. It is on the southeast edge of the Hill Country region of Texas, making it the fourth-largest city in the state and the 11th-largest in the country. It is the capital of Texas and a college town, and also a center of an alternative culture away from the major cities on the US coasts, though the city is rapidly gentrifying with its rising popularity. Austin's attitude is commonly emblazoned about town on T-shirts and bumper stickers that read: "Keep Austin Weird." Austin is also marketed as the Live Music Capital of the World due to the large number of venues.

Top landmarks

• Texas State Capitol — capitol and seat of government of the U.S. state of Texas
• Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum — presidential library and museum for U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson in Austin,...
• Texas State Cemetery — historic cemetery in Austin, Texas, USA

Arriving in Lockney, TX

Full guide →

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 42m. Total distance: 400.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h 42m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 104.9 miles on US 84. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 12 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.

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 Lockney, 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. There are 12 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Not recommended in a single day. At 7.7 hours each way, a round trip means 15.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Lockney, TX before the return drive.

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, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore more options from Austin, TX or browse trips ending in Lockney, TX.

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Trip from Austin, TX to Lockney, TX

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Traffic on I-20

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Rest Area US-84 US-283

Llano Estacado Picnic Area

San Saba Picnic Area

Blanco Canyon

Rest Area

Rest Area

Love's Travel Stop

TA

Eagles Landing Travel Plaza

Service Plaza

Picnic Area

Rest Area

Austin Bat Tours

Botanical Gates of Paradise

The Martin & Frances Lehnis Railroad Museum

Brown County Museum of History

Barton Creek Greenbelt

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Austin, TX

Lockney, TX

Same local time

12 degrees cooler at arrival

7h 42m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Elevation Profile

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in Austin, TX

Arriving in Lockney, TX

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

Continue From Lockney, TX

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