Traveling from Lubbock to Austin covers 373.1 miles and typically takes about 5 hours and 54 minutes of driving time. This route is well-suited for a single day of travel, though you should budget approximately $56 for fuel to complete the journey. You will be traveling entirely within the Great Plains region, moving from the High Plains of Lubbock down toward the capital. Because the route relies on local roads like Avenue Q, Slaton Road, and Highway 84 rather than major interstates, the pace is more consistent with regional travel than a high-speed sprint. It is a straightforward trip that functions best as a direct push, allowing you to reach your destination by the end of a single day.
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
186.1 miles from Lubbock, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 15m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US Highway 84
73.9 mi
1h 14m
State Highway 153
69 mi
1h 14m
US 183
44.5 mi
49m
South US Highway 183
35.3 mi
38m
US Highway 84 East
29.2 mi
33m
East Highway 84
26.9 mi
26m
US 67
21.5 mi
24m
US 84
15.9 mi
17m
Longest stretch:
US Highway 84
— 73.9 mi, about 1h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lubbock, TX and Austin, TX.
1
Start on US 62; TX 114
33 ft·6 sec·19th Street
2
Turn left onto US 84
2.9 mi·3 min·Avenue Q
3
Continue on US 84
4.8 mi·6 min·Slaton Road
4
Continue on US 84
6.9 mi·6 min·East Highway 84
5
Continue on US 84
4.5 mi·4 min·Trooper Jerry Don Davis Memorial Highway
6
Continue on US 84
20 mi·20 min·East Highway 84
7
Continue on US 84
1.0 mi·1 min·North US Highway 84
8
Turn left onto Spur 575
0.1 mi·16 sec·East 15th Street
9
Turn right onto TX 207
0.4 mi·37 sec·Ralls Road
10
Turn straight onto TX 207
1.1 mi·2 min·North Avenue F
11
At end of road, turn left onto US 84
74 mi·1 hr 14 min·US Highway 84
12
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84
6.5 mi·6 min·US 84
Toward I 20 East, US 84 East: Abilene
13
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Exit 244Toward SH 70 South, SH 70 Business: Sweetwater, San Angelo
14
Turn slight left onto Southwest Georgia Avenue
0.1 mi·16 sec·Southwest Georgia Avenue
15
Turn right onto TX 70
0.7 mi·1 min·Lamar Street
16
Continue on TX 70
10 mi·10 min·State Highway 70
17
Turn left onto TX 153
69 mi·1 hr 14 min·State Highway 153
18
Continue on TX 153
1.0 mi·1 min·West Walnut Street
19
Continue on TX 153
0.9 mi·1 min·East Walnut Street
20
At end of road, turn left onto US 84; US 283
9.4 mi·10 min·US 84; US 283
21
Continue on US 67; US 84
21 mi·24 min·US 67; US 84
22
Turn right onto US 84; US 183
1.3 mi·1 min·Garmon Drive
23
Continue on US 84; US 183
29 mi·33 min·US Highway 84 East
24
Turn right onto US 183; TX 16
22 mi·25 min·US 183; TX 16
25
Continue on US 183; US 190
15 mi·15 min·US 183; US 190
26
Merge onto US 183; US 190; US 281
260 ft·4 sec·North US Highway 281
27
Continue on US 183; US 190; US 281
2.3 mi·4 min·North Key Avenue
28
Continue on US 183
35 mi·38 min·South US Highway 183
29
Continue on this road
0.4 mi·29 sec·this road
30
Keep slight left at fork onto 183A Toll
14 mi·14 min·183A Toll Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Continue on US 183
7.5 mi·8 min·US 183
32
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Toward Loop 1: Mopac BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
33
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·51 sec
Toward Loop 1 South: Mopac Boulevard SouthUse the slight right lane.
34
Merge onto Loop 1
2.4 mi·2 min·North Mopac Expressway
35
Take the exit
423 ft·10 sec
Toward Express 1 TollUse the slight left lane.
36
Merge onto Express 1 Toll
3.9 mi·4 min·Express 1 Toll
37
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward West 5th StreetUse the slight left / straight lanes.
39
Turn straight onto West 5th Street
1.5 mi·3 min·West 5th Street
Use the straight lane.
40
Arrive at destination
East 5th Street
Trip Plan
When planning your departure, aim to hit the road early to account for the technical nature of these local roads. Since the drive takes nearly six hours, you should factor in at least one planned stop to stretch your legs and manage your fuel budget effectively. Because this is a turn-heavy route, having a reliable navigation system is essential to keep you on track along Highway 84 and the local connectors. Take advantage of the flexibility this one-day trip offers by keeping your schedule open for potential traffic delays on the smaller roads. For the smoothest experience, prioritize your fuel stops during the early stages of the drive to ensure you aren't searching for stations while navigating the more complex, turn-heavy sections.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 186.1 miles from Lubbock, TX, or about 3h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.9 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 82 miles or 1h 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 186.1 miles or 3h 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Austin, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lubbock, 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 Lubbock, TX
This is one driving day of about 372.1 miles and 6h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 82 miles from Lubbock, 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 US Highway 84 for about 73.9 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 115.7 and 370.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
115.7 mi into trip|~1h 59m 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
122.2 mi into trip|~2h 6m 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
340.8 mi into trip|~6h 9m 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.
7
363 mi into trip|~6h 33m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Loop 1 South: Mopac Boulevard South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Loop 1 South: Mopac Boulevard South
7
370.4 mi into trip|~6h 42m in
Keep slight left at fork toward West 5th Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward West 5th Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$56.23 one way
$112.45 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg130 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$61.54
$123.09
premium
$4.54
$66.44
$132.87
diesel
$5.61
$82.15
$164.31
Estimated Tolls: $1.00
183A Toll Road
(14.3 mi)$1.00
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
$56
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$82–$107
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 130.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
111.6
1
$39.07
$17.86
Efficient EV
93
1
$32.56
$14.88
EV Truck/SUV
148.8
1
$52.09
$23.81
Gas CO2
130 kg
EV CO2
44 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.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Lubbock, TX
Late night
in Lubbock on Tuesday
Local time
4:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Austin, TX
Late night
in Austin on Tuesday
Local time
4:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
89°F
Partly Sunny
S 5 to 10 mph1% chanceLive 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
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
6h 46m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate grind, as this route features zero highway-share segments. Your journey begins on Avenue Q, where the longest uninterrupted stretch is 0 miles, meaning you will need to stay alert for frequent turns and transitions. You will navigate through Slaton Road and Highway 84, which dictate a slower, more deliberate pace compared to typical freeway driving. This technical, winding path requires your full attention, as the road conditions shift frequently while you traverse the landscape. By avoiding the typical high-speed corridors, you get a much closer, more intimate look at the regional terrain throughout the nearly six-hour trek.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
40 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 73.9 mi on US Highway 84.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 84 and State Highway 153. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 115.7 miles in near US 84.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 372.1 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: at 115.7 miles (US 84): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 122.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 340.8 miles (183A Toll / 183A Toll Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Lubbock, TX and Austin, TX, road signs point toward Sh 70 South, Sh 70 Business: Sweetwater and San Angelo.
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
Austin is a city of about 1,054,000 (2026) surpassing Fort Worth to become the 4th most populous city in Texas. It is on the southeast edge of the Hill Country region of Texas, making it the fourth-largest city in the state and the 11th-largest in the country. It is the capital of Texas and a college town, and also a center of an alternative culture away from the major cities on the US coasts, though the city is rapidly gentrifying with its rising popularity. Austin's attitude is commonly emblazoned about town on T-shirts and bumper stickers that read: "Keep Austin Weird." Austin is also marketed as the Live Music Capital of the World due to the large number of venues.
Top landmarks
•Texas State Capitol — capitol and seat of government of the U.S. state of Texas
•Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum — presidential library and museum for U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson in Austin,...
•Texas State Cemetery — historic cemetery in Austin, Texas, USA
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 46m. Total distance: 372.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 46m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 73.9 miles on US Highway 84. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.00 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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Austin, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 115.7 miles (US 84): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 122.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 340.8 miles (183A Toll / 183A Toll Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.8 hours each way, a round trip means 13.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Austin, TX before the return drive.
