Planning a trip from Lubbock, TX, to Center, TX? This 532.6-mile journey will take approximately 9 hours and 25 minutes of driving time. Given the distance and duration, it's best suited for a 2-day trip, allowing you to break up the drive comfortably. You'll be navigating primarily on US 84 and the Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway. Expect a fuel cost around $80 for this extensive drive. This route spans across Texas, starting in the Great Plains region and finishing in the same region, offering a consistent landscape for much of the way.
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
266.3 miles from Lubbock, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 32m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 84
183 mi
3h 5m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
147.8 mi
2h 31m
US Highway 84
73.9 mi
1h 14m
East Highway 84
26.9 mi
26m
TX 149
25.7 mi
38m
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
22 mi
23m
US 59
16.8 mi
19m
US 96
7.8 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
US 84
— 183 mi, about 3h 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lubbock, TX and Center, 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
183 mi·3 hr 5 min·US 84
Toward I 20 East, US 84 East: AbileneUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 20
23 mi·24 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Toward I 20 East: Dallas, ShreveportUse the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20
14 mi·14 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Toward I 20 East: DallasUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 20
22 mi·23 min·Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20
111 mi·1 hr 52 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Toward I 20 East: ShreveportUse the straight / right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Toward FM 2011, FM 2087
18
Continue on FM 2011
2.8 mi·3 min·FM 2011
19
Turn left onto FM 349
4.8 mi·6 min·FM 349
20
Turn right onto TX 149
26 mi·38 min·TX 149
21
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·46 sec
22
Merge onto US 79; TX 149
4.0 mi·4 min·Northwest Loop
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi·33 sec
Toward US 59 South: Houston
24
Turn right onto US 59
17 mi·19 min·US 59
25
Continue on US 96
7.8 mi·8 min·US 96
26
Turn slight left onto TX 87
1.3 mi·1 min·TX 87
27
Turn right onto TX 7; TX 87
459 ft·13 sec·Nacogdoches Street
28
Turn left onto TX 7; TX 87
464 ft·14 sec·Austin Street
29
Turn left onto TX 7; TX 87
463 ft·8 sec·San Augustine Street
30
Turn right onto TX 87
257 ft·10 sec·Shelbyville Street
31
Turn left onto Jackson
238 ft·12 sec·Jackson
32
Turn right onto Porter Street
50 ft·2 sec·Porter Street
33
Arrive at destination
Porter Street
Trip Plan
For this 9-hour, 25-minute drive, splitting it over two days is highly recommended. Aim to depart early in the morning to maximize daylight driving. With two planned stops, you can effectively pace your journey, ensuring you take breaks every few hours. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longest stretch of 183 miles on US 84, as services might be spaced out. Planning your overnight stay roughly halfway will make this trip much more manageable.
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 266.3 miles from Lubbock, TX, or about 4h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 183 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 117 miles or 2h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 266.3 miles or 4h 32m 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 266.3 miles or 4h 32m
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 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Center, 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 266 miles and 4.7 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Center, TX
Aim for roughly 266 miles and 4.7 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 117 miles from Lubbock, 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 US 84 for about 183 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 115.7 and 468.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
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. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 20 East, US 84 East: Abilene
8
298.7 mi into trip|~5h 5m in|I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway toward I 20 East: Dallas, Shreveport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 20 East: Dallas, Shreveport
7
321.3 mi into trip|~5h 29m in|I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway toward I 20 East: Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 20 East: Dallas
7
357.2 mi into trip|~6h 7m in|I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway toward I 20 East: Shreveport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 20 East: Shreveport
5
468.5 mi into trip|~8h in
Take the exit toward FM 2011, FM 2087
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward FM 2011, FM 2087
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$80.48 one way
$160.95 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg186 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$88.09
$176.18
premium
$4.54
$95.09
$190.18
diesel
$5.61
$117.59
$235.18
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$80
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$210–$320
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 186.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $56 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
159.8
1
$55.92
$25.56
Efficient EV
133.2
1
$46.60
$21.30
EV Truck/SUV
213
2
$74.56
$34.09
Gas CO2
186 kg
EV CO2
62 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Lubbock, TX
Late night
in Lubbock on Sunday
Local time
2:44 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Center, TX
Late night
in Center on Sunday
Local time
2:44 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
54°F
Mesquite, TX
352 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
25 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
9h 25m 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?
This is a long-distance drive with a significant portion, 69% of the total mileage, on highways. You'll encounter stretches like the 183 miles on US 84 that offer uninterrupted driving. While primarily highway-based, the route maintains a consistent pace without feeling like a monotonous interstate grind. Expect a steady progression as you travel across the state.
69% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 183 mi on US 84.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
At 9h 25m, this is a long-haul route where pacing matters more than any single turn. You will hit about 21 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 115.7 miles in near US 84.
Driving Effort6/10
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 532.6 miles you will encounter 21 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: at 115.7 miles (US 84): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 298.7 miles (I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 321.3 miles (I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway): 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 Center, TX, road signs point toward Shreveport, Fm 2011 and Fm 2087.
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.
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
9h 25m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 183 miles on US 84. 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 266 miles on day one.
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 Center, 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. 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. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 298.7 miles (I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 321.3 miles (I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 9.4 hours each way, a round trip means 18.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Center, TX before the return drive.
