Llano Estacado Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Huntsville, TX to Lubbock, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
8h 42m
Distance
505 mi
813 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$77
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
8h 34m
★
6 AM
8h 42m
8 AM
8h 58m
10 AM
8h 48m
12 PM
8h 46m
3 PM
8h 48m
5 PM
8h 57m
8 PM
8h 37m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Huntsville, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Lubbock, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Huntsville to Lubbock is 505 miles and takes about 8h 42m via Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway and US 84, with a fuel budget near $73 and enough daylight to finish in a day if you start early. This trip covers ground across Texas, moving from the Great Plains region to another part of the Great Plains. Given its profile as a long-haul drive, it's best split over two days to avoid fatigue. You'll spend the majority of your time on major highways, making it a straightforward, if lengthy, traverse across the state.
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
252.5 miles from Huntsville, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 23m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway | 194.1 mi | 3h 17m |
| US 84 | 74.5 mi | 1h 14m |
| US 190 | 68.7 mi | 1h 8m |
| US 287 | 62.8 mi | 1h 11m |
| I 45 | 61.3 mi | 1h 1m |
| Highway 84 | 20 mi | 19m |
| East Highway 84 | 6.8 mi | 6m |
| Slaton Road | 4.9 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
— 194.1 mi, about 3h 17m
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 Huntsville, TX and Lubbock, TX.
1
Start on University Avenue
90 ft
·
11 sec
·
University Avenue
2
Turn left onto US 190; TX 30
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
11th Street
3
Turn right onto US 190
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Interstate 45 North
4
Take the ramp onto US 190
69 mi
·
1 hr 8 min
·
US 190
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Continue on I 45
61 mi
·
1 hr 1 min
·
I 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit onto US 287
63 mi
·
1 hr 11 min
·
US 287
Exit 247
Toward US 287 North: Waxahachie, Fort Worth
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
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.
8
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.
9
Take the exit onto US 84
0.3 mi
·
19 sec
·
US 84
Exit 238A
Toward US 84 West: Snyder, Lubbock
10
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84
74 mi
·
1 hr 14 min
·
US 84
11
Turn right onto Loop 46
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Avenue F
12
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 207
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
North Avenue F
13
Turn straight onto TX 207
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
·
Ralls Road
14
Turn left onto Spur 575
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
East 15th Street
15
Turn right onto US 84
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North US Highway 84
16
Continue on US 84
20 mi
·
19 min
·
Highway 84
17
Continue on US 84
4.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Trooper Jerry Don Davis Memorial Highway
18
Continue on US 84
6.8 mi
·
6 min
·
East Highway 84
19
Continue on US 84
4.9 mi
·
6 min
·
Slaton Road
20
Continue on US 84
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Avenue Q South Drive
21
Turn right onto US 62; TX 114
33 ft
·
0 sec
·
19th Street
22
Arrive at destination
US 62; TX 114
Trip Plan
This 505-mile drive is recommended for two days. To make the most of your time, aim to depart Huntsville early on day one, covering roughly half the distance. This pacing allows for a relaxed second day into Lubbock. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 194.1-mile stretch on Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway, as services can be spaced out. Plan for your overnight stop around the halfway point to break up the 8-hour driving duration comfortably.
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 252.5 miles from Huntsville, TX, or about 4h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 194.1 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 1h 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 252.5 miles or 4h 23m 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 252.5 miles or 4h 23m
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 38m
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 Huntsville, 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 Huntsville, TX
Aim for roughly 253 miles and 4.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Lubbock, TX
Aim for roughly 253 miles and 4.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 111 miles from Huntsville, 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 194.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
167 mi into the route
Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch
This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.
Second major stop
Overnight candidate
333 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Mount Pleasant, TXOvernight Options
Night 1
253 mi · about 4.4h in
A practical overnight split lands near Mineral Wells, TX after about 253 miles or 4.4 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 111 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 252.5 miles from Huntsville, 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 194.1 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 253 miles or 4.4 hours on the road.
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
Love's Travel Stop
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
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
TA Express
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
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
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
Navarro County Northbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
TA Express
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Walker County Southbound Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Walker County Northbound Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Navarro County Southbound Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
Rest Area
0.8 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
1.3 mi from route
Buc-ee's
2.4 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 135 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 388.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 190; TX 30 / 11th Street
Turn left onto US 190; TX 30 / 11th Street
Navigation decision point
8
131.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 13m in
|
US 287
Take the exit onto US 287 toward US 287 North: Waxahachie, Fort Worth
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 247
Toward US 287 North: Waxahachie, Fort Worth
7
194.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 24m 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
198.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 28m 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
388.8 mi into trip
|
~6h 41m 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
$77.32 one way
$154.64 round trip
$3.89/gal
25.4 MPG avg
177 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.29 | $85.33 | $170.67 |
| premium | $4.64 | $92.21 | $184.42 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $122.85 | $245.70 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$77
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$207–$317
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 176.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $53 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 151.5 | 1 | $53.03 | $24.24 |
| Efficient EV | 126.3 | 1 | $44.19 | $20.20 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 202 | 2 | $70.70 | $32.32 |
Gas CO2
177 kg
EV CO2
59 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
Huntsville, TX
Late night in Huntsville on Sunday
Local time
4:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Sunny
N 10 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued October 17 at 6:53AM CDT until October 17 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 17 at 3:25AM CDT until October 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Destination
Lubbock, TX
Late night in Lubbock on Sunday
Local time
4:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Patchy Frost then Sunny
NNE 0 to 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued October 17 at 6:53AM CDT until October 17 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 17 at 3:25AM CDT until October 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
87°F
Mansfield, TX
167 mi in
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 42m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on highways for 59% of this 505-mile drive. The Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway accounts for the longest continuous stretch at 194.1 miles. After this, you'll transition to US 84 and US 190, which will involve more surface road driving. Expect extended periods of rural cruising between towns, with fewer exits compared to a purely interstate experience.
59% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 194.1 mi on Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
At 8h 42m, this is a long-haul route where pacing matters more than any single turn. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 190; TX 30 / 11th 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 505 miles you will encounter 13 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 190; TX 30 / 11th Street): Navigation decision point; at 131.8 miles (US 287): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 194.6 miles (I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
3,203 ft
334 ft
Total Climb
3,028 ft
Total Descent
195 ft
Highest Point
3,203 ft
~505 mi in
Elevation Range
2,868 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 Huntsville, TX to Lubbock, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Fort Worth along the way.
Fort Worth
131.8 mi in
|
~2h 13m
|
via US 287
About the Cities
Starting in Huntsville, TX
Full guide →Founded 1836
Huntsville is a small city of about 45,000 residents, located in Walker County, part of the Piney Woods region of Texas. Huntsville is famous as the home of Texas hero, General Sam Houston with an enormous statue of Sam Houston next to Interstate 45, it's famous as a prison town, and is also home to Sam Houston State University.
Top landmarks
- • Woodland — building in Huntsville, Walker County, Texas
- • Steamboat House — historic place in Walker County, Texas
- • Sam Houston Memorial Museum
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?
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
8h 42m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 194.1 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 253 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 47 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 47 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 190; TX 30 / 11th Street): Navigation decision point; at 131.8 miles (US 287): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 194.6 miles (I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.7 hours each way, a round trip means 17.4 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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