Llano Estacado Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Forest Hill, TX to Lubbock, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 23, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 30m
Distance
319.3 mi
514 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$48
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 17m
★
6 AM
5h 30m
8 AM
5h 57m
10 AM
5h 40m
12 PM
5h 37m
3 PM
5h 41m
5 PM
5h 56m
8 PM
5h 22m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Forest Hill, TX
Eddie O.
Lubbock, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Forest Hill, TX to Lubbock, TX is 319.3 miles and takes about 5h 30m via Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway and US 84, with a fuel budget near $48 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily traverses the Great Plains region across Texas, offering a straightforward journey that's well within reach for a single day. You'll encounter a mix of highway driving, so expect a steady pace for most of the trip. With a recommended one-day drive and a manageable fuel cost, this route is a practical choice for getting from point A to point B efficiently.
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
159.6 miles from Forest Hill, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 46m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway | 201.4 mi | 3h 25m |
| US 84 | 74.5 mi | 1h 14m |
| Highway 84 | 20 mi | 19m |
| East Highway 84 | 6.8 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 |
| South Avenue F | 1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
— 201.4 mi, about 3h 25m
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 72 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,599 veh/hr typical · worst 2,068
Quietest
2 AM
~199 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 105 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 Forest Hill, TX and Lubbock, TX.
1
Start on Duncan Drive
297 ft
·
14 sec
·
Duncan Drive
2
Turn right onto Forest Haven Drive
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Forest Haven Drive
3
At end of road, turn right onto Grady Street
0.1 mi
·
35 sec
·
Grady Street
4
Turn left onto Banbury Drive
0.2 mi
·
41 sec
·
Banbury Drive
5
Turn right onto Duer Drive
492 ft
·
27 sec
·
Duer Drive
6
Turn left onto Forest Hill Drive
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
Forest Hill Drive
7
Turn right onto Southeast Loop 820
0.4 mi
·
39 sec
·
Southeast Loop 820
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward I 20 West
Use the slight left lane.
9
Merge onto I 20
7.3 mi
·
7 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
Given this is a one-day trip, leaving in the morning is ideal to maximize daylight and avoid any potential fatigue. With only one recommended stop, you have a lot of flexibility in how you pace yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 201.4-mile stretch on the Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway, as services might be less frequent. The total duration is around 5h 30m, so plan for a brief break midway or as needed. The estimated fuel cost of $48 makes this a budget-friendly option for a single-day excursion.
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 159.6 miles from Forest Hill, TX, or about 2h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 201.4 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 70 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 159.6 miles or 2h 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 4h 28m
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 Forest 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 Forest Hill, TX
This is one driving day of about 319.3 miles and 5h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 miles from Forest 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 201.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
160 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 70 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 159.6 miles from Forest 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 201.4 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 websiteParamount Theatre
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour
Halfway reset
4.1 mi from route
~10 min detour
Abilene, Texas
+13256769620
Visit websiteAdamson-Spalding Storybook Garden
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour
Halfway reset
4.1 mi from route
~10 min detour
Abilene, Texas
Visit website12th Armored Division Memorial
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour
Halfway reset
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Abilene, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+13256776515
Visit websiteThe Discovery Center & Truth Bookstore
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour
Halfway reset
4.2 mi from route
~11 min detour
Abilene, Texas
Hours: 1–5 pm
+13256735050
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 175 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 203 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.4 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
Grady Street
At end of road, turn right onto Grady Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
5
0.5 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
Banbury Drive
Turn left onto Banbury Drive
Navigation decision point
7
8.9 mi into trip
|
~12m 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
12.9 mi into trip
|
~17m 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
203 mi into trip
|
~3h 30m 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
$47.93 one way
$95.87 round trip
$3.81/gal
25.4 MPG avg
112 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $53.04 | $106.07 |
| premium | $4.57 | $57.39 | $114.77 |
| diesel | $6.28 | $78.89 | $157.79 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 111.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 95.8 | 1 | $33.53 | $15.33 |
| Efficient EV | 79.8 | 0 | $27.94 | $12.77 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 127.7 | 1 | $44.70 | $20.44 |
Gas CO2
112 kg
EV CO2
37 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
Forest Hill, TX
Late night in Forest Hill on Friday
Local time
5:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Partly Cloudy
0 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Lubbock, TX
Late night in Lubbock on Friday
Local time
5:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Mostly Clear
S 5 mph
0% chance
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.
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
5h 30m 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?
This drive features a mixed profile, with 32% of the journey on highways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on the Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway, including a longest stretch of 201.4 miles. This means you'll experience some extended periods of consistent highway travel. As you progress, the route transitions, offering a blend of faster highway sections and what is generally considered a mixed drive. Expect a consistent, predictable road experience for the majority of the 5h 30m duration.
32% 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: 201.4 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 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near Grady Street.
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 319.3 miles you will encounter 17 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 0.4 miles (Grady Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.5 miles (Banbury Drive): Navigation decision point; at 8.9 miles (I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
3,203 ft
682 ft
Total Climb
2,863 ft
Total Descent
342 ft
Highest Point
3,203 ft
~319.3 mi in
Elevation Range
2,521 ft
About the Cities
Arriving in Lubbock, TX
Full guide →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 30m. Total distance: 319.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 201.4 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 0.4 miles (Grady Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.5 miles (Banbury Drive): Navigation decision point; at 8.9 miles (I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.0 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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