Trip from Lubbock, TX to Baytown, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
10h 9m
Distance
558.5 mi
899 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$85
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lubbock, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Baytown, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Lubbock, TX to Baytown, TX is 558.5 miles and takes about 10h 9m via Texas State Highway 71, US Highway 84, and State Highway 153, with a fuel budget near $88 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This long-haul drive begins in the Great Plains and ends in the same region, crossing the state of Texas. Given the duration, it's best planned as an overnight trip, especially if you prefer a more relaxed pace. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, making it a straightforward cross-state transit.
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
279.3 miles from Lubbock, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 5h 1m 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 |
| US Highway 84 East | 29.2 mi | 33m |
| East Highway 84 | 26.9 mi | 26m |
| US 67 | 21.5 mi | 24m |
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 14 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
7 AM
~4,887 veh/hr typical · worst 5,738
Quietest
2 AM
~583 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
Averaged across 51 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 Lubbock, TX and Baytown, TX.
Start on US 62; TX 114
Turn left onto US 84
Continue on US 84
Continue on US 84
Continue on US 84
Continue on US 84
Continue on US 84
Turn left onto Spur 575
Turn right onto TX 207
Turn straight onto TX 207
At end of road, turn left onto US 84
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84
Take the exit
Turn slight left onto Southwest Georgia Avenue
Turn right onto TX 70
Continue on TX 70
Turn left onto TX 153
Continue on TX 153
Continue on TX 153
At end of road, turn left onto US 84; US 283
Continue on US 67; US 84
Turn right onto US 84; US 183
Continue on US 84; US 183
Turn right onto US 183; TX 16
Continue on US 183; US 190
Merge onto US 183; US 190; US 281
Continue on US 183; US 190; US 281
Continue on US 183
Continue on this road
Keep slight left at fork onto 183A Toll
Continue on US 183
Continue on 183 Toll
Continue on US 183
Take the exit
Continue on TX 71
Turn straight onto 71 Toll
Continue on TX 71
Continue on TX 71
Take the exit
Merge onto I 10 Toll
Take the exit
Merge onto I 10; US 90
Continue on I 10; US 90
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
Keep slight right at fork onto Spur 330
Take the exit
Continue on Decker Drive
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 10-hour drive, splitting it over two days is highly recommended. Aim to depart Lubbock early in the morning to maximize daylight for your first leg. With 2 planned stops, you can break up the 558.5 miles into manageable segments. Consider stopping for the night around the halfway point, approximately 5-6 hours into your drive, to avoid fatigue. Keep an eye on fuel levels, as stations can be spaced out on some highway sections, especially on Texas State Highway 71.
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.
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 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 279.3 miles or 5h 1m 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 279.3 miles or 5h 1m
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 8h 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Baytown, 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.
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 Lubbock, TX
Aim for roughly 279 miles and 5.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Baytown, TX
Aim for roughly 279 miles and 5.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
184 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
369 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 Jarrell, TXOvernight Options
Night 1
279 mi · about 5.1h in
A practical overnight split lands near Kempner, TX after about 279 miles or 5.1 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
A short stop after about 123 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 279.3 miles from Lubbock, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Texas State Highway 71 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 137 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 279 miles or 5.1 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.
Llano Estacado Picnic Area
San Saba Picnic Area
Flying J Travel Center
Buc-ee's
Picnic Area
Service Plaza
QuikTrip
Love's Travel Stop
TA
Service Plaza
Service Plaza
Eagles Landing Travel Plaza
Buc-ee's
Road Ranger
TA
Flying J Travel Center
Love's Travel Stop
Flying J Travel Center
TA
Love's Travel Stop
Love's Travel Stop
Flying J Travel Center
Love's Travel Stop
Pilot Travel Center
Buc-ee's
Colorado County Eastbound Rest Area
Colorado County Westbound Rest Area
Rest Area
Service Plaza
Bicentennial Park
Near the end, right off the route
Baytown, Texas
Hours: 5 am–10 pm
+12814206597
Visit websiteMackenzie Main City Park
Near the start, short detour
Lubbock, Texas
Hours: 7 am–8 pm
+18067752673
Visit websiteAmerican Windmill Museum
Near the start, short detour
Lubbock, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+18067478734
Visit websiteARs Entertainment Hub Baytown
Near the end, short detour
Baytown, Texas
Hours: 4–10 pm
+18889999440
Visit websiteAllenbrook Park
Near the end, short detour
Baytown, Texas
Hours: 5 am–10 pm
+12814206597
Visit websiteW.L. Jenkins Park
Near the end, ~9 min detour
Baytown, Texas
Hours: 5 am–10 pm
+12814206597
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 215 decision points cluster between mile 115.7 and 552.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
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
Keep slight left at fork onto 183A Toll / 183A Toll Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward TX 71 East: Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto Spur 330 / Decker Drive toward Spur 330: Baytown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$84.79 one way
$169.57 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $93.45 | $186.90 |
| premium | $4.58 | $100.71 | $201.41 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $117.64 | $235.27 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.23
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
$85
Tolls
$1
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$216–$326
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 195.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $59 in charging · 2 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 167.6 | 2 | $58.64 | $26.81 |
| Efficient EV | 139.6 | 1 | $48.87 | $22.34 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 223.4 | 2 | $78.19 | $35.74 |
Gas CO2
195 kg
EV CO2
65 kg (67% 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.
Origin
Lubbock, TX
Afternoon in Lubbock on Wednesday
Local time
4:28 PM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Mostly Sunny
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued June 2 at 3:32PM CDT until June 2 at 4:15PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued June 2 at 3:31PM CDT until June 2 at 4:30PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Destination
Baytown, TX
Afternoon in Baytown on Wednesday
Local time
4:28 PM
CDT
Current temp
88°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued June 2 at 3:32PM CDT until June 2 at 4:15PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued June 2 at 3:31PM CDT until June 2 at 4:30PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
76°F
Brownwood, TX
184 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
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
10h 9m 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?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 92% of the trip on high-speed roads. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 137 miles on Texas State Highway 71, offering extended cruising. Expect to transition to surface roads for the remaining 8% of your travel, likely closer to your destination. The extensive highway share means you'll generally experience consistent speeds, with fewer interruptions from frequent intersections.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 115.7 miles in near US 84.
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 21 significant decision points across 558.5 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.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
Total Climb
86 ft
Total Descent
3,266 ft
Highest Point
3,203 ft
Elevation Range
3,180 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.
Between Lubbock, TX and Baytown, TX, road signs point toward Sh 70 South, Sh 70 Business: Sweetwater, San Angelo and 71 Toll East.
Sh 70 South
Sh 70 Business: Sweetwater
San Angelo
71 Toll East
About the Cities
Starting 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
Arriving in Baytown, TX
Full guide →Baytown is a city in Texas. When you are in Baytown, you can rest assured you are in one of the most industrialized places of the world. With Exxon's Baytown Refinery on the west, Chevron's Cedar Bayou Plant on the northeast, the Covestro Baytown Industrial Plant on the east, and a smattering of other industries in between, you're likely to see flare stacks and storage tanks or tanker cars wherever you go, and might think you need a gas mask. But, in spite of this, there are still natural and cultural attractions to behold. And Garey Busey and Renee Zellweger used to call this place home.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Frequently Asked Questions
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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