Carthage to Lubbock is 504.3 miles and takes about 8h 52m via Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway and I 20, with a fuel budget near $73 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This long-haul drive crosses the Great Plains twice, moving from one part of Texas to another. It's a straightforward trip, primarily on interstate and US highways, suitable for a single long day if you start early. You'll be covering a significant distance across the state, so be prepared for a full day behind the wheel.
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
252.2 miles from Carthage, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 34m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
219.1 mi
3h 43m
I 20
111.2 mi
1h 52m
US 84
74.5 mi
1h 14m
TX 149
25.8 mi
38m
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
22 mi
23m
Highway 84
20 mi
19m
East Highway 84
6.8 mi
6m
Slaton Road
4.9 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
— 219.1 mi, about 3h 43m
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 100 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,980 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,487
Quietest
2 AM
~249 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Carthage, TX and Lubbock, TX.
1
Start on Panola Street
383 ft·11 sec·Panola Street
2
Turn right onto US 59 Business
0.6 mi·58 sec·North Saint Mary Street
3
Turn left onto Cottage Road
1.3 mi·2 min·Cottage Road
4
Continue on TX 149
26 mi·38 min·TX 149
5
Turn left onto FM 349
4.8 mi·6 min·FM 349
Use the straight lane.
6
Turn right onto FM 2011
2.8 mi·3 min·FM 2011
7
Turn right onto FM 2087
0.2 mi·20 sec·FM 2087 South
8
Turn sharp left onto IH 20 Service Road
230 ft·3 sec·IH 20 Service Road
9
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward I 20
10
Merge onto I 20; US 259
92 mi·1 hr 32 min·I 20; US 259
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20
19 mi·20 min·I 20
Toward I 20 West: Fort WorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 20
22 mi·23 min·Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 20
25 mi·26 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20
4.0 mi·4 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Toward I 20 WestUse the straight lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20
190 mi·3 hr 12 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Toward I 20 West: AbileneUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit onto US 84
0.3 mi·19 sec·US 84
Exit 238AToward US 84 West: Snyder, Lubbock
17
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84
74 mi·1 hr 14 min·US 84
18
Turn right onto Loop 46
1.0 mi·1 min·South Avenue F
19
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 207
0.1 mi·10 sec·North Avenue F
20
Turn straight onto TX 207
0.4 mi·38 sec·Ralls Road
21
Turn left onto Spur 575
0.1 mi·17 sec·East 15th Street
22
Turn right onto US 84
1.0 mi·1 min·North US Highway 84
23
Continue on US 84
20 mi·19 min·Highway 84
24
Continue on US 84
4.6 mi·4 min·Trooper Jerry Don Davis Memorial Highway
25
Continue on US 84
6.8 mi·6 min·East Highway 84
26
Continue on US 84
4.9 mi·6 min·Slaton Road
27
Continue on US 84
2.9 mi·3 min·Avenue Q South Drive
28
Turn right onto US 62; TX 114
33 ft·0 sec·19th Street
29
Arrive at destination
US 62; TX 114
Trip Plan
Given the 8h 52m estimated drive time, starting your trip from Carthage early in the morning is highly recommended to maximize daylight. With two recommended stops, you can break up the 504.3 miles into manageable segments. Consider stopping around the halfway point or where you feel ready to stretch your legs and refuel. The $73 fuel estimate is a good baseline, but always check current prices. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longer stretches, as services can be spread out.
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 252.2 miles from Carthage, TX, or about 4h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 219.1 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 111 miles or 2h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 252.2 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 252.2 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 7h 49m
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 Carthage, 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 Carthage, TX
Aim for roughly 252 miles and 4.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Lubbock, TX
Aim for roughly 252 miles and 4.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 111 miles from Carthage, 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 Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway for about 219.1 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 35.4 and 388.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
35.4 mi into trip|~51m in|IH 20 Service Road
Turn sharp left onto IH 20 Service Road
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
7
127.7 mi into trip|~2h 24m in|I 20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20 toward I 20 West: Fort Worth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 20 West: Fort Worth
7
193.9 mi into trip|~3h 35m in|I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway toward I 20 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 20 West
7
198 mi into trip|~3h 39m in|I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway toward I 20 West: Abilene
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 20 West: Abilene
6
388.1 mi into trip|~6h 52m 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
$69.07 one way
$138.15 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg176 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$77.15
$154.31
premium
$4.23
$83.88
$167.77
diesel
$4.80
$95.22
$190.44
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$69
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$199–$309
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 176.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $53 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
151.3
1
$52.95
$24.21
Efficient EV
126.1
1
$44.13
$20.17
EV Truck/SUV
201.7
2
$70.60
$32.28
Gas CO2
176 kg
EV CO2
59 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 16, 2026
Origin
Carthage, TX
Late night
in Carthage on Monday
Local time
3:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 5 mph19% chanceLive forecast
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
3:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSE 10 mph24% chanceLive forecast
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
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
8h 52m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip features a 53% highway share, meaning you'll spend a good portion of your time on interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 219.1 miles on Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway. You'll notice the transition from more developed areas with frequent exits to more rural cruising as you progress westward. Expect to see a mix of high-speed interstate travel and more moderate speeds on US highways.
53% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 219.1 mi on Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
At 8h 52m, this is a long-haul route where pacing matters more than any single turn. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 35.4 miles in near IH 20 Service Road.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 504.3 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 35.4 miles (IH 20 Service Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 127.7 miles (I 20): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 193.9 miles (I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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
The longest stretch is about 219.1 miles on Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway. 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 252 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 35.4 miles (IH 20 Service Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 127.7 miles (I 20): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 193.9 miles (I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.9 hours each way, a round trip means 17.8 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.
