This 560.8-mile journey from Lockney, Texas, to Houston, Texas, is a substantial undertaking, clocking in at an estimated 10 hours and 34 minutes of driving time. Given its length, it's best tackled over two days rather than attempting it as a single day trip. The route predominantly utilizes major highways, with 85% of the drive on them, making it a long-distance haul. Expect to budget around $85 for fuel. You'll be passing through the Great Plains region for both your departure and arrival, so the scenery will likely remain consistent throughout this extensive Texas drive. Planning for at least three stops is recommended to break up the 10.5-hour drive.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
3 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
280.4 miles from Lockney, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 5h 26m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Texas State Highway 71
137 mi
2h 25m
US Highway 84
73.9 mi
1h 14m
State Highway 153
69 mi
1h 14m
US 183
51.8 mi
57m
South US Highway 183
35.3 mi
38m
Avenue E
34.7 mi
52m
US Highway 84 East
29.2 mi
33m
US 67
21.5 mi
24m
Longest stretch:
Texas State Highway 71
— 137 mi, about 2h 25m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
7 AM
~5,971 veh/hr typical
· worst 7,284
Quietest
2 AM
~653 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 37 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 Lockney, TX and Houston, TX.
1
Start on FM 97
0.5 mi·53 sec·East Locust Street
2
Turn right onto FM 378
0.8 mi·1 min·FM 378
3
Turn left onto US 70
11 mi·16 min·US 70
4
Continue on US 62; TX 207
21 mi·27 min·South Ralls Highway
5
Turn slight left onto TX 207
35 mi·52 min·Avenue E
6
Turn straight onto TX 207
1.1 mi·2 min·North Avenue F
7
At end of road, turn left onto US 84
74 mi·1 hr 14 min·US Highway 84
8
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84
6.5 mi·6 min·US 84
Toward I 20 East, US 84 East: Abilene
9
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Exit 244Toward SH 70 South, SH 70 Business: Sweetwater, San Angelo
10
Turn slight left onto Southwest Georgia Avenue
0.1 mi·16 sec·Southwest Georgia Avenue
11
Turn right onto TX 70
0.7 mi·1 min·Lamar Street
12
Continue on TX 70
10 mi·10 min·State Highway 70
13
Turn left onto TX 153
69 mi·1 hr 14 min·State Highway 153
14
Continue on TX 153
1.0 mi·1 min·West Walnut Street
15
Continue on TX 153
0.9 mi·1 min·East Walnut Street
16
At end of road, turn left onto US 84; US 283
9.4 mi·10 min·US 84; US 283
17
Continue on US 67; US 84
21 mi·24 min·US 67; US 84
18
Turn right onto US 84; US 183
1.3 mi·1 min·Garmon Drive
19
Continue on US 84; US 183
29 mi·33 min·US Highway 84 East
20
Turn right onto US 183; TX 16
22 mi·25 min·US 183; TX 16
21
Continue on US 183; US 190
15 mi·15 min·US 183; US 190
22
Merge onto US 183; US 190; US 281
260 ft·4 sec·North US Highway 281
23
Continue on US 183; US 190; US 281
2.3 mi·4 min·North Key Avenue
24
Continue on US 183
35 mi·38 min·South US Highway 183
25
Continue on this road
0.4 mi·29 sec·this road
26
Keep slight left at fork onto 183A Toll
14 mi·14 min·183A Toll Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Continue on US 183
15 mi·17 min·US 183
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Continue on 183 Toll
6.3 mi·6 min·Bergstrom Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Continue on US 183
0.4 mi·26 sec·Bastrop Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
30
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward TX 71 East: Austin-Bergstrom International AirportUse the slight left / straight lanes.
31
Continue on TX 71
2.2 mi·2 min·East State Highway 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Turn straight onto 71 Toll
1.9 mi·2 min·Bastrop Freeway
Toward 71 Toll East, TX 45 Toll North, TX 130 Toll NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Continue on TX 71
0.5 mi·29 sec·East State Highway 71
34
Continue on TX 71
137 mi·2 hr 25 min·Texas State Highway 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Take the exit
0.3 mi·22 sec
Toward I 10 Toll: Katy TollwayUse the slight left lane.
36
Merge onto I 10 Toll
3.2 mi·4 min·Katy Tollway
37
Take the exit
0.2 mi·15 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Merge onto I 10; US 90
11 mi·13 min·Katy Freeway
Use the slight left lane.
39
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Exit 769AToward Downtown, Theatre DistrictUse the straight / slight right lanes.
40
Continue on Smith Street
0.1 mi·29 sec·Smith Street
41
Turn left onto Preston Street
331 ft·16 sec·Preston Street
42
Turn left onto Louisiana Street
179 ft·5 sec·Louisiana Street
43
Arrive at destination
Louisiana Street
Trip Plan
For this 560.8-mile drive, splitting it into two days is highly advisable to avoid fatigue. Aim to depart early in the morning on your first day to maximize daylight and cover a significant portion of the ~10.5-hour total duration. Plan your overnight stop strategically to break the journey roughly in half. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest stretch of 137 miles on Texas State Highway 71, as services might be less frequent. With a fuel cost estimated at $85, factor this into your budget for the trip.
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 3 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 280.4 miles from Lockney, TX, or about 5h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 137 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 123 miles or 2h 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 280.4 miles or 5h 26m 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 280.4 miles or 5h 26m
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 9h 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Houston, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lockney, 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 Lockney, TX
Aim for roughly 280 miles and 5.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Houston, TX
Aim for roughly 280 miles and 5.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 123 miles from Lockney, TX.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 3 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Texas State Highway 71 for about 137 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 142.8 and 560.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
142.8 mi into trip|~2h 54m in|US 84
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84 toward I 20 East, US 84 East: Abilene
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 20 East, US 84 East: Abilene
6
149.3 mi into trip|~3h 1m in
Take the exit toward SH 70 South, SH 70 Business: Sweetwater, San Angelo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 244
Toward SH 70 South, SH 70 Business: Sweetwater,...
6
367.9 mi into trip|~7h 4m in|183A Toll / 183A Toll Road
Keep slight left at fork onto 183A Toll / 183A Toll Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
403.7 mi into trip|~7h 43m in
Take the exit toward TX 71 East: Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward TX 71 East: Austin-Bergstrom Internation...
8
560.2 mi into trip|~10h 32m in
Take the exit toward Downtown, Theatre District
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 769A
Toward Downtown, Theatre District
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$76.81 one way
$153.62 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg196 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$85.80
$171.60
premium
$4.23
$93.28
$186.57
diesel
$4.80
$105.89
$211.78
Estimated Tolls: $1.23
183A Toll Road
(14.3 mi)$1.00
Katy Tollway
(3.2 mi)$0.23
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$77
Tolls
$1
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$208–$318
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 196.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $59 in charging
· 2 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
168.2
2
$58.88
$26.92
Efficient EV
140.2
1
$49.07
$22.43
EV Truck/SUV
224.3
2
$78.51
$35.89
Gas CO2
196 kg
EV CO2
66 kg (66% less)
Plan for 2 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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.
Forecast as of Jul 16, 2026
Origin
Lockney, TX
Late night
in Lockney on Monday
Local time
12:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSE 10 mph21% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 4:21PM CDT until July 16 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 4:19PM CDT until July 16 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Houston, TX
Late night
in Houston on Monday
Local time
12:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 10 mph19% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 4:21PM CDT until July 16 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 4:19PM CDT until July 16 at 8:00PM 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.
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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
10h 34m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
The personality of this drive is largely defined by its 85% highway share, indicating a focus on efficient travel over scenic detours. You'll experience long stretches of consistent driving, with the longest uninterrupted segment measuring 137 miles along Texas State Highway 71. While the primary roads are Texas State Highway 71, US Highway 84, and State Highway 153, the overall feel is that of a long-distance, primarily highway-based journey. This route is designed for covering ground efficiently rather than for winding through picturesque landscapes.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
43 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 137 mi on Texas State Highway 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Texas State Highway 71 and US Highway 84. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 142.8 miles in near US 84.
Driving Effort8/10
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 560.8 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: at 142.8 miles (US 84): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 149.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 367.9 miles (183A Toll / 183A Toll Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
3,280 ft35 ft
Total Climb
192 ft
Total Descent
3,436 ft
Highest Point
3,280 ft
Elevation Range
3,244 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Lockney, TX and Houston, TX, road signs point toward Sh 70 South, Sh 70 Business: Sweetwater, San Angelo and 71 Toll East.
Houston is a sprawling port city in Southeastern Texas. An oil boom and continuing international immigration has brought explosive growth to the city, and it is now the fifth largest metropolitan area in the United States and the most diverse large city since 2021. While at first glance, the city appears to be a 9-5 central business district surrounded by a sea of suburbs and strip malls, there are many hidden gems to be discovered.
=== Welcome World Cup fans ===
Games will be played at NRG Stadium on the south side of Houston
The best way to get to the stadium on game day is to use MetroRail trains (red line to NRG Stadium/Astrodome). Fare cards can be purchased at kiosks at train platforms and cost US$1.25 per ride
The best hotels for football fans are downtown or near the medical center (both areas have easy access to MetroRail).
Top landmarks
•Museum of Fine Arts, Houston — art museum in Houston, Texas
•Astrodome — historic place in Houston, Harris County, Texas
•Rothko Chapel — building in Houston, Harris County, Texas
The longest stretch is about 137 miles on Texas State Highway 71. 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 280 miles on day one.
Expect about $1.23 in tolls one way, starting with 183A Toll Road. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 22 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 Houston, 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 3 meaningful breaks. There are 22 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 142.8 miles (US 84): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 149.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 367.9 miles (183A Toll / 183A Toll Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 10.6 hours each way, a round trip means 21.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Houston, TX before the return drive.
