Llano Estacado Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Joshua, 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
5h 41m
Distance
328.1 mi
528 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$45
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 28m
★
6 AM
5h 42m
8 AM
6h 8m
10 AM
5h 51m
12 PM
5h 48m
3 PM
5h 52m
5 PM
6h 7m
8 PM
5h 34m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Joshua, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Lubbock, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Joshua, TX to Lubbock, TX is 328.1 miles and takes about 5h 41m via Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway and US 84, with a fuel budget near $48 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region, moving from one area to another. It's a straightforward drive primarily on major highways, making it a solid option if you need to get between these two points efficiently. You'll spend a good portion of your time on the highway, so expect a consistent pace. This route is well-suited for a single-day drive with minimal fuss.
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
164.1 miles from Joshua, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 52m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway | 192.8 mi | 3h 15m |
| US 84 | 74.5 mi | 1h 14m |
| Highway 84 | 20 mi | 19m |
| Chisholm Trail Parkway | 13.9 mi | 14m |
| 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 |
Longest stretch:
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
— 192.8 mi, about 3h 15m
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 36 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,680 veh/hr typical · worst 2,135
Quietest
2 AM
~202 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.3×
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 Joshua, TX and Lubbock, TX.
1
Start on this road
49 ft
·
5 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto FM 917
172 ft
·
11 sec
·
East 12th Street
3
Turn left onto FM 917
385 ft
·
15 sec
·
South Main Street
4
Turn right onto FM 917
0.5 mi
·
47 sec
·
West 14th Street
5
Continue on FM 917
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
West FM 917
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Toward CTP Toll North
7
Merge onto CTP
14 mi
·
14 min
·
Chisholm Trail Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward Oakmont Boulevard
Use the slight right lane.
9
Turn left onto Oakmont Boulevard
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Oakmont Boulevard
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
10
Turn right onto Bryant Irvin Road
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Bryant Irvin Road
Use the right lane.
11
Turn left onto Southwest Loop 820
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
Southwest Loop 820
Use the left lane.
12
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I 20 West
13
Merge onto I 20
2.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
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.
15
Take the exit onto US 84
0.3 mi
·
19 sec
·
US 84
Exit 238A
Toward US 84 West: Snyder, Lubbock
16
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84
74 mi
·
1 hr 14 min
·
US 84
17
Turn right onto Loop 46
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Avenue F
18
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 207
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
North Avenue F
19
Turn straight onto TX 207
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
·
Ralls Road
20
Turn left onto Spur 575
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
East 15th Street
21
Turn right onto US 84
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North US Highway 84
22
Continue on US 84
20 mi
·
19 min
·
Highway 84
23
Continue on US 84
4.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Trooper Jerry Don Davis Memorial Highway
24
Continue on US 84
6.8 mi
·
6 min
·
East Highway 84
25
Continue on US 84
4.9 mi
·
6 min
·
Slaton Road
26
Continue on US 84
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Avenue Q South Drive
27
Turn right onto US 62; TX 114
33 ft
·
0 sec
·
19th Street
28
Arrive at destination
US 62; TX 114
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 41m duration, starting your drive in Joshua, TX shortly after sunrise is ideal to ensure you arrive in Lubbock well before dark. This route is designed for a single day, so you can afford to be flexible with stops. You'll have one major highway section, Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway, for 192.8 miles, so plan your fuel stops accordingly before you begin that long stretch. While there are no mandatory overnight stops suggested, keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you move onto US 84 and Highway 84, as services might become less frequent.
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 164.1 miles from Joshua, TX, or about 2h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 192.8 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 72 miles or 1h 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 164.1 miles or 2h 52m 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 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 Joshua, 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 Joshua, TX
This is one driving day of about 328.1 miles and 5h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 72 miles from Joshua, 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 192.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
164 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 72 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 164.1 miles from Joshua, 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 192.8 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 websiteAdamson-Spalding Storybook Garden
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
2.5 mi from route
~6 min detour
Abilene, Texas
Visit websiteParamount Theatre
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
2.7 mi from route
~7 min detour
Abilene, Texas
+13256769620
Visit website12th Armored Division Memorial
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
2.8 mi from route
~7 min detour
Abilene, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+13256776515
Visit websiteThe Discovery Center & Truth Bookstore
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour
Halfway reset
3.5 mi from route
~9 min detour
Abilene, Texas
Hours: 1–5 pm
+13256735050
Visit websitePlay Street Museum - Fort Worth
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~11 min detour
First break
4.5 mi from route
~11 min detour
Fort Worth, Texas
Hours: 8:30 am–8 pm
+18179302577
Visit websiteWhite Settlement Museum
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~12 min detour
First break
4.7 mi from route
~12 min detour
White Settlement, Texas
Hours: 10 am–3 pm
+18172469719
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 195 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 211.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
FM 917 / East 12th Street
Turn right onto FM 917 / East 12th Street
Navigation decision point
6
16.2 mi into trip
|
~19m in
Take the exit toward Oakmont Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Oakmont Boulevard
6
17 mi into trip
|
~21m in
|
Bryant Irvin Road
Turn right onto Bryant Irvin Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
21.7 mi into trip
|
~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
211.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 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
$44.94 one way
$89.88 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
115 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $50.20 | $100.39 |
| premium | $4.23 | $54.58 | $109.15 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $61.95 | $123.90 |
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: 114.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 98.4 | 1 | $34.45 | $15.75 |
| Efficient EV | 82 | 0 | $28.71 | $13.12 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 131.2 | 1 | $45.93 | $21.00 |
Gas CO2
115 kg
EV CO2
38 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
Joshua, TX
Afternoon in Joshua on Sunday
Local time
2:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Mostly Sunny
S 10 to 15 mph
4% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:57AM CDT until July 17 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:56AM CDT until July 19 at 11:50PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Lubbock, TX
Afternoon in Lubbock on Sunday
Local time
2:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 10 to 15 mph
29% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:57AM CDT until July 17 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:56AM CDT until July 19 at 11:50PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio 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
5h 41m 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?
You'll cover 36% of this route on highways, with the longest uninterrupted stretch being 192.8 miles on Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway. After this, you'll transition to US 84 and Highway 84. Expect a mix of higher-speed cruising on the highway sections followed by more standard surface road conditions as you get closer to Lubbock. The transition from predominantly highway driving to surface roads will be noticeable as you progress.
36% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 192.8 mi on Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near FM 917 / East 12th Street.
Driving Effort
8/10
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 328.1 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: near the start (FM 917 / East 12th Street): Navigation decision point; at 16.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 17 miles (Bryant Irvin Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
3,203 ft
820 ft
Total Climb
2,615 ft
Total Descent
345 ft
Highest Point
3,203 ft
~328.1 mi in
Elevation Range
2,382 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Joshua, TX
Full guide →Founded 1881
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 41m. Total distance: 328.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 192.8 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: near the start (FM 917 / East 12th Street): Navigation decision point; at 16.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 17 miles (Bryant Irvin Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.4 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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