Rest Area US-84 US-283
0 mi from route
Trip from Lubbock, TX to Little Elm, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 21m
Distance
388.6 mi
625 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$53
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 11m
★
6 AM
7h 22m
8 AM
7h 43m
10 AM
7h 29m
12 PM
7h 27m
3 PM
7h 30m
5 PM
7h 42m
8 PM
7h 15m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lubbock, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Little Elm, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Lubbock, TX to Little Elm, TX is 388.6 miles and takes about 7h 21m via US Highway 84 East and US Highway 84, with a fuel budget near $56 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region of Texas, offering a straightforward drive across the state. The route is predominantly highway, making it a practical choice for a single-day transit. You'll spend most of your time cruising on well-maintained roads, so it's a good option if you're looking to cover ground 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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
194.3 miles from Lubbock, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 23m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US Highway 84 East | 98.3 mi | 1h 48m |
| US Highway 84 | 73.9 mi | 1h 14m |
| State Highway 153 | 69 mi | 1h 14m |
| East Highway 84 | 26.9 mi | 26m |
| US 67 | 21.5 mi | 24m |
| US 84 | 15.9 mi | 17m |
| TX 164 | 14.1 mi | 21m |
| State Highway 70 | 10.4 mi | 10m |
Longest stretch:
US Highway 84 East
— 98.3 mi, about 1h 48m
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,210 veh/hr typical · worst 1,594
Quietest
3 AM
~203 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 31 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 Little Elm, 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 244
Toward 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
98 mi
·
1 hr 48 min
·
US Highway 84 East
24
Continue on US 84
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
West McGregor Drive
25
Continue on US 84
5.3 mi
·
5 min
·
West US Highway 84
26
Continue on US 84
6.7 mi
·
8 min
·
George W Bush Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Toward TX 6, Loop 340: Robinson, Meridian
Use the slight right lane.
28
Turn straight onto Woodway Drive
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
Woodway Drive
29
Turn right onto West Loop 340
495 ft
·
10 sec
·
West Loop 340
30
Keep slight left at fork onto West Loop 340
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
West Loop 340
31
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
32
Merge onto TX 6; Loop 340
8.6 mi
·
10 min
·
TX 6; Loop 340
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
34
Continue on TX 6
6.7 mi
·
6 min
·
East State Highway 6
35
Turn slight left onto TX 164
14 mi
·
21 min
·
TX 164
36
Turn right onto FM 339
4.1 mi
·
7 min
·
FM 339
37
Keep slight left at fork onto FM 2489
1.9 mi
·
4 min
·
FM 2489
38
Turn right onto Lcr 625
2.5 mi
·
9 min
·
Lcr 625
39
Arrive at destination
Lcr 625
Trip Plan
Given the 7-hour drive time, leaving Lubbock in the morning is your best bet to arrive in Little Elm with daylight to spare. With only 2 planned stops recommended, you have flexibility in how you pace your breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 98.3-mile stretch on US Highway 84 East, as services can be spread out in some sections. Budget around $56 for fuel, and consider filling up before you leave Lubbock to start with a full tank.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 194.3 miles from Lubbock, TX, or about 3h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.3 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 85 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 194.3 miles or 3h 23m 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 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Little Elm, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Lubbock, TX
This is one driving day of about 388.6 miles and 7h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 85 miles from Lubbock, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US Highway 84 East for about 98.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
194 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 85 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 194.3 miles from Lubbock, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US Highway 84 East if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 98.3 miles.
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
0 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Eagles Landing Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
1 mi from route
QuikTrip
1.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
1.3 mi from route
Rest Area
2.2 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 websiteAmerican 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 websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 185 decision points cluster between mile 115.7 and 350.4 — 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,...
7
349.6 mi into trip
|
~6h 19m in
Take the exit toward TX 6, Loop 340: Robinson, Meridian
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward TX 6, Loop 340: Robinson, Meridian
5
350 mi into trip
|
~6h 20m in
|
West Loop 340
Keep slight left at fork onto West Loop 340
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
350.4 mi into trip
|
~6h 21m in
|
TX 6; Loop 340
Merge onto TX 6; Loop 340
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$53.23 one way
$106.45 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
136 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $59.45 | $118.91 |
| premium | $4.23 | $64.64 | $129.28 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $73.38 | $146.75 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$53
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$78–$103
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 136 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 116.6 | 1 | $40.80 | $18.65 |
| Efficient EV | 97.2 | 1 | $34.00 | $15.54 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 155.4 | 1 | $54.40 | $24.87 |
Gas CO2
136 kg
EV CO2
45 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.
Origin
Lubbock, TX
Morning in Lubbock on Tuesday
Local time
10:14 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSE 10 mph
23% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 11:12PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 10:46PM CDT until July 17 at 3:45AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Little Elm, TX
Morning in Little Elm on Tuesday
Local time
10:14 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Mostly Cloudy
SSE 5 mph
7% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 11:12PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 10:46PM CDT until July 17 at 3:45AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
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
6 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
7h 21m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Waco Mammoth National Monument
National Monument
Standing as tall as 14 feet and weighing 20,000 pounds, Columbian mammoths roamed across what is present-day Texas thousands of years ago. Today, the fossil specimens represent the nation's first and...
7 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 348.4
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is 94% highway, meaning you'll be on major roads for the vast majority of the 388.6 miles. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 98.3 miles on US Highway 84 East. You'll transition to surface roads, specifically State Highway 153, as you approach your destination. Expect relatively consistent cruising speeds for most of the trip, with fewer urban merges until the final approach.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
39 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 98.3 mi on US Highway 84 East.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 84 East 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.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 388.6 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 349.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
3,203 ft
378 ft
Total Climb
405 ft
Total Descent
3,163 ft
Highest Point
3,203 ft
Elevation Range
2,825 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 Little Elm, TX, road signs point toward Sh 70 South, Sh 70 Business: Sweetwater, San Angelo, Loop 340: Robinson and Meridian.
Sh 70 South
122.2 mi in
|
~2h 6m
Sh 70 Business: Sweetwater
122.2 mi in
|
~2h 6m
San Angelo
122.2 mi in
|
~2h 6m
Loop 340: Robinson
349.6 mi in
|
~6h 19m
Meridian
349.6 mi in
|
~6h 19m
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 Little Elm, TX
Full guide →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 7h 21m. Total distance: 388.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 21m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 98.3 miles on US Highway 84 East. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 12 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 Little Elm, 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 12 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 349.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.4 hours each way, a round trip means 14.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Little Elm, 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, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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