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Trip from Lubbock, TX to El Paso, TX

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 22m

Distance

343.1 mi

552 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$52

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
6h 10m ★
6 AM
6h 23m
8 AM
6h 47m
10 AM
6h 31m
12 PM
6h 29m
3 PM
6h 33m
5 PM
6h 46m
8 PM
6h 15m

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

county seat of Lubbock County, Texas, United States

Lubbock, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown El Paso, TX, TX

El Paso, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 343.1-mile drive from Lubbock, TX, to El Paso, TX, is a solid day trip, estimated to take about 6 hours and 22 minutes. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on US Highway 62, which forms a core part of the journey. With a fuel cost estimated at $52 and only one recommended stop, this is a straightforward trip across the Great Plains region of Texas. It's a route that prioritizes direct travel, making it a practical choice for getting between these two West Texas cities efficiently.

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

171.5 miles from Lubbock, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 12m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US Highway 62 102.3 mi 1h 46m
Hobbs Highway 47.9 mi 53m
Seagraves Road 40.4 mi 42m
West Carlsbad Highway 39.6 mi 45m
National Parks Highway 33.5 mi 37m
Marsha Sharp Freeway 21.6 mi 24m
Montana Avenue 21.4 mi 27m
US 62 15.7 mi 18m
Longest stretch: US Highway 62 — 102.3 mi, about 1h 46m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lubbock, TX and El Paso, TX.

1

Start on US 62; TX 114

2.4 mi · 4 min · 19th Street
2

Take the ramp onto US 62

0.6 mi · 1 min · US 62
Toward US 62 West, US 82 West
3

Merge onto US 62; US 82

22 mi · 24 min · Marsha Sharp Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4

Continue on US 62; US 82

15 mi · 16 min · US 62; US 82
5

Continue on US 62; US 385

40 mi · 42 min · Seagraves Road
6

Turn right onto US 62; US 180

0.3 mi · 18 sec · West Avenue A
7

Continue on US 62; US 180

28 mi · 31 min · Hobbs Highway
8

Continue on US 62; US 180

1.3 mi · 1 min · North Marland Boulevard
9

Continue on US 62; US 180

0.6 mi · 44 sec · East Marland Street
10

Continue on US 62; US 180

2.5 mi · 2 min · West Marland Boulevard
11

Continue on US 62; US 180

40 mi · 45 min · West Carlsbad Highway
12

Continue on US 62; US 180

20 mi · 21 min · Hobbs Highway
13

Continue on US 62; US 180

6.5 mi · 8 min · East Greene Street
14

Turn left onto US 62; US 180; US 285

2.0 mi · 2 min · South Canal Street
15

Turn slight right onto US 62; US 180

34 mi · 37 min · National Parks Highway
16

Continue on US 62; US 180

102 mi · 1 hr 46 min · US Highway 62
17

Continue on US 62; US 180

21 mi · 27 min · Montana Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
18

Turn slight left onto US 62; US 180

0.5 mi · 40 sec · East Paisano Drive
19

Turn right onto US 180

163 ft · 3 sec · Gateway Boulevard West
20

Take the ramp onto US 180

0.2 mi · 25 sec · US 180
Toward I 10 West
21

Merge onto I 10

3.6 mi · 4 min · I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 20 sec
Exit 19B Toward Missouri Avenue, Downtown Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

Turn straight onto East Missouri Avenue

0.3 mi · 49 sec · East Missouri Avenue
24

Turn left onto TX 20

0.3 mi · 27 sec · North Mesa Street
25

Arrive at destination

North Mesa Street

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 6-hour, 22-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Lubbock to maximize daylight. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $52, pacing yourself is key. The longest stretch without a major change is over 100 miles on US Highway 62, so ensure you have plenty of fuel before embarking on that segment. Since this is a manageable one-day trip, you have the flexibility to stop as needed, but keep an eye on the time to arrive in El Paso comfortably.

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 171.5 miles from Lubbock, TX, or about 3h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 102.3 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 75 miles or 1h 24m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 171.5 miles or 3h 12m 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 13m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near El Paso, 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 343.1 miles and 6h 22m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 75 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 62 for about 102.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Carlsbad, NM, NM

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Carlsbad, NM

172 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Seminole, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 75 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Carlsbad, NM

Meal break

The midpoint is around 171.5 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 Highway 62 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 102.3 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 8

5 decision points cluster between mile 2.4 and 342.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

4
2.4 mi into trip | ~4m in | US 62

Take the ramp onto US 62 toward US 62 West, US 82 West

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 62 West, US 82 West
5
3.1 mi into trip | ~5m in | US 62; US 82 / Marsha Sharp Freeway

Merge onto US 62; US 82 / Marsha Sharp Freeway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
80.1 mi into trip | ~1h 30m in | US 62; US 180 / West Avenue A

Turn right onto US 62; US 180 / West Avenue A

Navigation decision point

5
338.7 mi into trip | ~6h 16m in | I 10

Merge onto I 10

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
342.3 mi into trip | ~6h 20m in

Take the exit toward Missouri Avenue, Downtown

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 19B Toward Missouri Avenue, Downtown

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$51.84 one way

$103.69 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 120 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $56.75 $113.49
premium $4.54 $61.26 $122.52
diesel $5.61 $75.75 $151.50

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$52

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$77–$102

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 120 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 102.9 1 $36.03 $16.47
Efficient EV 85.8 0 $30.02 $13.72
EV Truck/SUV 137.2 1 $48.03 $21.96

Gas CO2

120 kg

EV CO2

40 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 20, 2026

Origin

Lubbock, TX

Late night in Lubbock on Tuesday

Local time

3:50 AM

CDT

Current temp

80°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

El Paso, TX

Late night in El Paso on Tuesday

Local time

2:50 AM

MDT

Current temp

82°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

83°F

Carlsbad, NM

172 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.

Time zone

1 hour earlier

The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.

Temperature spread

2 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 22m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

The drive features a mixed profile, with 42% of the route on highways. You'll encounter stretches on US Highway 62, Hobbs Highway, and Seagraves Road. Be prepared for a continuous stretch of 102.3 miles on US Highway 62, which will be your longest uninterrupted drive segment. This route isn't about dramatic scenery changes but rather a consistent journey across the landscape.

42% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 102.3 mi on US Highway 62.

How Hard Is This Drive?

4/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 2.4 miles in near US 62.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 22m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 8 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 2.4 miles (US 62): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.1 miles (US 62; US 82 / Marsha Sharp Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 80.1 miles (US 62; US 180 / West Avenue A): Navigation decision point.

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 El Paso, TX

Full guide →

“The Sun City” · Founded 1680

El Paso is the sixth largest city in Texas, with 679,000 residents (2020). It is on the United States-Mexico border. The city on the other side of the border is Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua. El Paso is often called the Sun City. Collectively, the city of El Paso and other nearby cities, such as Juarez and Las Cruces, New Mexico are referred to as The Borderland.

Top landmarks

  • El Paso Museum of Art — art museum in El Paso, Texas
  • Union Depot — historic place in El Paso, El Paso County, Texas
  • Plaza Theatre — building in El Paso, El Paso County, Texas

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

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 22m. Total distance: 343.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 22m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (42%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 102.3 miles on US Highway 62. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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 is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at El Paso, 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 2.4 miles (US 62): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.1 miles (US 62; US 82 / Marsha Sharp Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 80.1 miles (US 62; US 180 / West Avenue A): Navigation decision point.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.4 hours each way, a round trip means 12.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at El Paso, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore More

Return Trip

El Paso, TX to Lubbock, TX

Plan the drive back the other way.

344.3 mi 6h 23m

Explore more options from Lubbock, TX or browse trips ending in El Paso, TX.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.