Trip from Denison, TX to Lubbock, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 6m
Distance
330.5 mi
532 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$45
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.
Denison, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Lubbock, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Denison, TX to Lubbock, TX is 330.5 miles and takes about 6 hours 6 minutes via US 82, with a fuel budget near $50 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within the Great Plains region, traversing the heart of Texas. Expect a consistent, straightforward route that's ideal for a single-day trip. Given the relatively short duration and minimal stops, it's a practical choice for getting from point A to point B efficiently. If you're looking for a no-fuss drive across the state, this is a solid option.
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
165.3 miles from Denison, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 7m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 82 | 108.1 mi | 2h |
| US Highway 82 West | 93.5 mi | 1h 38m |
| US Highway 82 | 33.5 mi | 35m |
| West Highway 82 | 24.4 mi | 25m |
| East Buck Owens Freeway | 20.3 mi | 22m |
| East US Highway 82 | 12.3 mi | 14m |
| J M Lindsay Boulevard | 12.1 mi | 13m |
| Division Street | 10 mi | 11m |
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Denison, TX and Lubbock, TX.
Start on this road
Turn left onto US 69
Continue on Spur 503
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn straight onto TX 91
Turn right onto East Highway 82
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 82
Continue on US 82
Continue on US 82
Continue on US 82
Turn straight onto US 82
Merge onto US 82
Take the exit onto US 82
Take the exit onto US 82
Turn right onto US 82; US 183 Business; US 277 Business; US 283 Business
Continue on US 82; US 183 Business; US 277 Business; US 283 Business
Turn right onto US 82; TX 114
Continue on US 82; TX 114
Continue on US 82; TX 114
Continue on US 82; TX 114
Continue on US 82; TX 114
Continue on US 82; TX 114
Continue on US 82; TX 114
Continue on US 62; TX 114
Continue on US 62; TX 114
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 6-hour drive, starting in the morning is your best bet to ensure you arrive with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop and a predominantly highway profile, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 108.1-mile stretch on US 82, as services might be less frequent in some areas. The estimated fuel cost of $50 should help you budget accordingly. Since this is a manageable one-day trip, you can afford to take a brief break when needed without significantly impacting your arrival time.
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 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 73 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 165.3 miles or 3h 7m 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 59m
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 Denison, 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 Denison, TX
This is one driving day of about 330.5 miles and 6h 6m.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
165 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
A short stop after about 73 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 165.3 miles from Denison, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 82 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 108.1 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.
Rest Area
Crosby County Eastbound Rest Area
Flying J Travel Center
Love's Travel Stop
QuikTrip
Service Plaza
Flying J Travel Center
Rest Area
Road Ranger
Texas Travel Information Center at Wichita Falls
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 websiteManiac’s Mansion (TAG’s)
Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour
Wichita Falls, Texas
Hours: 5–9 pm
+19402575543
Visit websiteMuseum of North Texas History
Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour
Wichita Falls, Texas
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+19403227628
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 170.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left onto US 69 / North Austin Avenue
Navigation decision point
Take the exit toward TX 91: Texoma Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Keep slight right at fork toward TX 91 South: Sherman
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Take the exit onto US 82 toward US 82 West, US 277 South: Lubbock, Abilene
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit onto US 82 toward US 82, US 183 Business: Seymour, Lubbock
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.27 one way
$90.54 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $50.56 | $101.13 |
| premium | $4.23 | $54.97 | $109.95 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $62.40 | $124.81 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 115.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 99.2 | 1 | $34.70 | $15.86 |
| Efficient EV | 82.6 | 0 | $28.92 | $13.22 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 132.2 | 1 | $46.27 | $21.15 |
Gas CO2
116 kg
EV CO2
39 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
Denison, TX
Morning in Denison on Sunday
Local time
10:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Mostly Sunny
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:14AM CDT until July 17 at 11:45AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:04AM CDT until July 21 at 3:57AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Destination
Lubbock, TX
Morning in Lubbock on Sunday
Local time
10:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:14AM CDT until July 17 at 11:45AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:04AM CDT until July 21 at 3:57AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi 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
5 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
6h 6m 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 is almost entirely highway driving, with a 90% highway share. You'll be on US 82 for the majority of the trip, experiencing a longest stretch of 108.1 miles on this highway. Expect to transition from highway to surface roads as you approach your destination. The extensive highway mileage means you'll likely encounter consistent cruising speeds for most of the drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 82 and US Highway 82 West. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 69 / North Austin Avenue.
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 330.5 miles you will encounter 11 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: near the start (US 69 / North Austin Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 3.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 3.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
Total Climb
2,473 ft
Total Descent
0 ft
Highest Point
3,203 ft
~330.5 mi in
Elevation Range
2,473 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.
On the drive from Denison, TX to Lubbock, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Abilene along the way.
Abilene
About the Cities
Starting in Denison, TX
Full guide →Founded 1872
Denison is in the Blackland Prairie region.
Top landmarks
- • Eisenhower Birthplace State Historic Site — building in Denison, Grayson County, Texas
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 6h 6m. Total distance: 330.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 6m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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