Trip from Lubbock, TX to Center, TX

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

9h 25m

Distance

532.6 mi

857 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$73

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 26 min

4 AM

9h 17m ★

6 AM

9h 26m

8 AM

9h 43m

10 AM

9h 32m

12 PM

9h 30m

3 PM

9h 33m

5 PM

9h 42m

8 PM

9h 21m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time

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county seat of Lubbock County, Texas, United States

Lubbock, TX

Wikimedia Commons

city in and county seat of Shelby County, Texas, United States

Center, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

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

Traffic on I-20

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 50 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

4 PM

~1,980 veh/hr typical · worst 2,487

Quietest

2 AM

~249 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

8×

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 Lubbock, TX and Center, TX.

Start on US 62; TX 114

33 ft · 6 sec · 19th Street

Turn left onto US 84

2.9 mi · 3 min · Avenue Q

Continue on US 84

4.8 mi · 6 min · Slaton Road

Continue on US 84

6.9 mi · 6 min · East Highway 84

Continue on US 84

4.5 mi · 4 min · Trooper Jerry Don Davis Memorial Highway

Continue on US 84

20 mi · 20 min · East Highway 84

Continue on US 84

1.0 mi · 1 min · North US Highway 84

Turn left onto Spur 575

0.1 mi · 16 sec · East 15th Street

Turn right onto TX 207

0.4 mi · 37 sec · Ralls Road

Turn straight onto TX 207

1.1 mi · 2 min · North Avenue F

At end of road, turn left onto US 84

74 mi · 1 hr 14 min · US Highway 84

Keep slight left at fork onto US 84

183 mi · 3 hr 5 min · US 84

Toward I 20 East, US 84 East: Abilene Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 20

23 mi · 24 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway

Toward I 20 East: Dallas, Shreveport Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 20

14 mi · 14 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway

Toward I 20 East: Dallas Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 20

22 mi · 23 min · Lyndon B Johnson Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 20

111 mi · 1 hr 52 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway

Toward I 20 East: Shreveport Use the straight / right lanes.

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 18 sec

Toward FM 2011, FM 2087

Continue on FM 2011

2.8 mi · 3 min · FM 2011

Turn left onto FM 349

4.8 mi · 6 min · FM 349

Turn right onto TX 149

26 mi · 38 min · TX 149

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 46 sec

Merge onto US 79; TX 149

4.0 mi · 4 min · Northwest Loop

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 33 sec

Toward US 59 South: Houston

Turn right onto US 59

17 mi · 19 min · US 59

Continue on US 96

7.8 mi · 8 min · US 96

Turn slight left onto TX 87

1.3 mi · 1 min · TX 87

Turn right onto TX 7; TX 87

459 ft · 13 sec · Nacogdoches Street

Turn left onto TX 7; TX 87

464 ft · 14 sec · Austin Street

Turn left onto TX 7; TX 87

463 ft · 8 sec · San Augustine Street

Turn right onto TX 87

257 ft · 10 sec · Shelbyville Street

Turn left onto Jackson

238 ft · 12 sec · Jackson

Turn right onto Porter Street

50 ft · 2 sec · Porter Street

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.

city in and county seat of Titus County, Texas, United States

First major stop

Coffee and fuel

Mount Pleasant, TX

176 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

Mesquite, TX

352 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 Mesquite, TX

Overnight Options

Night 1

Weatherford, TX

266 mi · about 4.7h in

A practical overnight split lands near Weatherford, TX after about 266 miles or 4.7 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Roscoe, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 117 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Mineral Wells, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 266.3 miles from Lubbock, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 84 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 183 miles.

Overnight split

2.3 mi from route

QuikTrip

2.5 mi from route

Mackenzie Main City Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

Lubbock, Texas

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+18067752673

Visit website

American Windmill Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour

Lubbock, Texas

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+18067478734

Visit website

Play Street Museum - Fort Worth

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

Halfway reset 4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour

Fort Worth, Texas

Hours: 8:30 am–8 pm

+18179302577

Visit website

White Settlement Museum

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

Halfway reset 4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour

White Settlement, Texas

Hours: 10 am–3 pm

+18172469719

Visit website

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.

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

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

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

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

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

$72.95 one way

$145.90 round trip

$3.48/gal 25.4 MPG avg 186 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$3.89	$81.48	$162.97
premium	$4.23	$88.59	$177.18
diesel	$4.80	$100.56	$201.13

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$73

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$203–$313

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, 2026-07-13.

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 Jul 16, 2026

Origin

Lubbock, TX

Afternoon in Lubbock on Sunday

Local time

12:39 PM

CDT

Current temp

82°F

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

SE 10 mph 24% chance Live forecast

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 4:47PM CDT until July 16 at 7:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 16 at 4:46PM CDT until July 16 at 5:30PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA

Destination

Center, TX

Afternoon in Center on Sunday

Local time

12:39 PM

CDT

Current temp

91°F

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

S 5 mph 19% chance Live forecast

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 4:47PM CDT until July 16 at 7:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 16 at 4:46PM CDT until July 16 at 5:30PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA

102°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

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

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.

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 Effort 6/10

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.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

3,203 ft 318 ft

Total Climb

103 ft

Total Descent

2,938 ft

Highest Point

3,203 ft

Elevation Range

2,885 ft

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.

Shreveport

298.7 mi in | ~5h 5m | via I 20

Fm 2011

468.5 mi in | ~8h

Fm 2087

468.5 mi in | ~8h

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 Center, TX

Full guide →

Top landmarks

• Shelby County Courthouse Square — historic place in Center, Shelby County, Texas

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Family Friendly

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.

Yes — we found about 55 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 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. There are 55 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

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.

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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