Llano Estacado Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Cedar Hill, 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
5h 55m
Distance
342.1 mi
551 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$47
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 42m
★
6 AM
5h 55m
8 AM
6h 21m
10 AM
6h 4m
12 PM
6h 2m
3 PM
6h 6m
5 PM
6h 20m
8 PM
5h 47m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cedar Hill, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Lubbock, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 342.1-mile drive from Cedar Hill, TX, to Lubbock, TX, is a feasible one-day trip, taking approximately 5 hours and 55 minutes. The route primarily utilizes Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway and US 84, with about 31% of the journey on highways. You can expect a fuel cost of around $52 for this journey across the Great Plains. With only one recommended stop, this trip offers a straightforward passage through Texas. It's a good option if you're looking for a direct route with minimal detours.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
171.1 miles from Cedar Hill, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 59m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway | 218.3 mi | 3h 43m |
| US 84 | 74.5 mi | 1h 14m |
| Highway 84 | 20 mi | 19m |
| East Highway 84 | 6.8 mi | 6m |
| West FM 1382 | 4.9 mi | 6m |
| Slaton Road | 4.9 mi | 6m |
| Trooper Jerry Don Davis Memorial Highway | 4.6 mi | 4m |
| Avenue Q South Drive | 2.9 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
— 218.3 mi, about 3h 43m
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 84 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,998 veh/hr typical · worst 2,491
Quietest
2 AM
~243 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 Cedar Hill, TX and Lubbock, TX.
1
Start on Cedar Street
171 ft
·
9 sec
·
Cedar Street
2
Turn left onto South Main Street
424 ft
·
14 sec
·
South Main Street
3
Continue on North Main Street
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
North Main Street
4
Turn right onto Straus Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Straus Road
5
Turn left onto FM 1382
4.9 mi
·
6 min
·
West FM 1382
6
Continue on FM 1382
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South Belt Line Road
7
Turn left onto East Interstate 20
0.5 mi
·
47 sec
·
East Interstate 20
Use the left lane.
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Toward I 20 West
9
Merge onto I 20
24 mi
·
25 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20
4.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Toward I 20 West
Use the straight lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20
190 mi
·
3 hr 12 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Toward I 20 West: Abilene
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit onto US 84
0.3 mi
·
19 sec
·
US 84
Exit 238A
Toward US 84 West: Snyder, Lubbock
13
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84
74 mi
·
1 hr 14 min
·
US 84
14
Turn right onto Loop 46
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Avenue F
15
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 207
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
North Avenue F
16
Turn straight onto TX 207
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
·
Ralls Road
17
Turn left onto Spur 575
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
East 15th Street
18
Turn right onto US 84
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North US Highway 84
19
Continue on US 84
20 mi
·
19 min
·
Highway 84
20
Continue on US 84
4.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Trooper Jerry Don Davis Memorial Highway
21
Continue on US 84
6.8 mi
·
6 min
·
East Highway 84
22
Continue on US 84
4.9 mi
·
6 min
·
Slaton Road
23
Continue on US 84
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Avenue Q South Drive
24
Turn right onto US 62; TX 114
33 ft
·
0 sec
·
19th Street
25
Arrive at destination
US 62; TX 114
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour, 55-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Cedar Hill to maximize daylight and arrive in Lubbock with time to spare. While the drive is manageable in one day, with only one suggested stop, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 218.3-mile stretch on Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway, as services might be spaced out. The estimated fuel cost of $52 is a helpful budgeting tool for this trip.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 171.1 miles from Cedar Hill, TX, or about 2h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 218.3 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 75 miles or 1h 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 171.1 miles or 2h 59m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 51m
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 Cedar Hill, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Cedar Hill, TX
This is one driving day of about 342.1 miles and 5h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 75 miles from Cedar Hill, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway for about 218.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
171 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 75 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 171.1 miles from Cedar Hill, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 218.3 miles.
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.
Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Picnic Area
0 mi from route
I-20 Westbound Picnic Area
0 mi from route
I-20 Eastbound Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Eastland County Eastbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Eastland County Westbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Nolan County Eastbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Eagles Landing Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
Callahan County Eastbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Callahan County Westbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
1.3 mi from route
Mackenzie Main City Park
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.6 mi from route
~4 min detour
Lubbock, Texas
Hours: 7 am–8 pm
+18067752673
Visit websiteAmerican Windmill Museum
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.8 mi from route
~5 min detour
Lubbock, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+18067478734
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 6.9 and 225.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
6.9 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
East Interstate 20
Turn left onto East Interstate 20
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
7.6 mi into trip
|
~11m in
|
I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Merge onto I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
31.8 mi into trip
|
~37m 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
35.8 mi into trip
|
~42m 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
225.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 54m 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
$46.86 one way
$93.71 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
120 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $52.34 | $104.68 |
| premium | $4.23 | $56.90 | $113.81 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $64.59 | $129.19 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$47
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 119.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 102.6 | 1 | $35.92 | $16.42 |
| Efficient EV | 85.5 | 0 | $29.93 | $13.68 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 136.8 | 1 | $47.89 | $21.89 |
Gas CO2
120 kg
EV CO2
40 kg (67% 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
Cedar Hill, TX
Morning in Cedar Hill on Monday
Local time
9:24 AM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Mostly Sunny
S 5 to 10 mph
8% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 7:12AM CDT until July 17 at 10:15AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 7:00AM CDT until July 17 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Destination
Lubbock, TX
Morning in Lubbock on Monday
Local time
9:24 AM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 10 to 15 mph
34% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 7:12AM CDT until July 17 at 10:15AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 7:00AM CDT until July 17 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS San Angelo 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
6 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
5h 55m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed drive on this route, blending highway speeds with other road types. You'll spend a significant portion, the longest uninterrupted stretch being 218.3 miles, on Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway. With 31% of the drive on highways, the pace is generally consistent, but be prepared for variations as you transition between major roadways and other routes like US 84. This journey doesn't present a monotonous interstate experience but rather a practical progression across the Texas landscape.
31% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 218.3 mi on Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 6.9 miles in near East Interstate 20.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 342.1 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 6.9 miles (East Interstate 20): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.6 miles (I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.8 miles (I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
3,203 ft
657 ft
Total Climb
2,717 ft
Total Descent
344 ft
Highest Point
3,203 ft
~342.1 mi in
Elevation Range
2,546 ft
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Sugar Browns Coffee Co.
Cafe
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Lubbock, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop;pastry;kolache
Visit websiteJessica's Tea Room
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
0 mi from route
Cuisine: coffee_shop
The Coffee Shop
Cafe
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.6 mi from route
~2 min detour
Lubbock, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Starbucks
Cafe
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.2 mi from route
~3 min detour
Lubbock, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websiteStarbucks
Cafe
Near the start, short detour
1.2 mi from route
~3 min detour
Cedar Hill, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: Mo-Su 08:00-22:00
Visit websiteBurkhart Cafe
Cafe
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.4 mi from route
~3 min detour
Cuisine: sandwich;pizza
Hours: Mo-Th 11:00-19:00; Fr 11:00-17:00
Visit websiteBurrito King
Restaurant
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.2 mi from route
Lubbock, TX
Cuisine: mexican
Hours: Tu-Sa 07:00-15:00; Su 08:00-15:00
Visit websiteSam's Pizza & Pasta
Fast_food
Near the start, right off the route
0 mi from route
Cuisine: pizza
Hours: Mo-Su 11:00-22:00
Visit websiteChristopher's Smokehouse BBQ
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.1 mi from route
Cuisine: regional
Claraboya Scratch Kitchen Bar
Restaurant
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
Lubbock, TX
Hours: Su 06:00-14:00; Mo-Th 06:00-10:00,11:00-...
Visit websiteThe West Table
Restaurant
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.6 mi from route
~2 min detour
Lubbock, TX
Cuisine: american;brunch;dessert
Cha Cha's
Restaurant
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.6 mi from route
~2 min detour
Lubbock, TX
Cuisine: american;mexican
Santa Land
Attraction
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.6 mi from route
~4 min detour
Lubbock, TX
Talala Overlook
Viewpoint
Near the start, short detour
2.7 mi from route
~7 min detour
Staff Camp
Camp_site
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
3.2 mi from route
~8 min detour
The Buddy Holly Center
Museum
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Lubbock, TX
Visit websiteLubbock High School
Memorial
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Bacon Home
Memorial
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Lubbock Tornado Memorial
Monument
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
First Methodist Church of Lubbock
Memorial
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Site of J.H. McCleskey No. 1, Discovery Well of the Ranger Oil Boom
Memorial
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.6 mi from route
~1 min detour
Pioneer Pocket Hotel
Hotel
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.6 mi from route
~2 min detour
Lubbock, TX
Villa Town
Hotel
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.4 mi from route
~6 min detour
Staff Camp
Camp_site
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
3.2 mi from route
~8 min detour
Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.
About the Cities
Starting in Cedar Hill, TX
Full guide →Founded 1846
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).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 55m. Total distance: 342.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 218.3 miles on Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 30 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 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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 30 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 6.9 miles (East Interstate 20): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.6 miles (I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.8 miles (I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.9 hours each way, a round trip means 11.8 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.
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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