Lubbock to Longview is 473.5 miles and takes about 8h 7m via US 84, with a fuel budget near $74 and a need for an overnight stay. This route primarily traverses the Great Plains region of Texas, offering a straightforward drive with a significant portion on major highways. With recommended days set at 2, you'll have ample time to break up the drive comfortably. Expect a mostly highway experience, making it a practical choice for getting from point A to point B efficiently.
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
236.8 miles from Lubbock, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 84
183 mi
3h 5m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
145.7 mi
2h 29m
US Highway 84
73.9 mi
1h 14m
East Highway 84
26.9 mi
26m
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
22 mi
23m
State Highway 31 North
5.6 mi
6m
Slaton Road
4.8 mi
6m
Trooper Jerry Don Davis Memorial Highway
4.5 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
US 84
— 183 mi, about 3h 5m
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 100 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
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Longview, 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
109 mi·1 hr 50 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Toward I 20 East: ShreveportUse the straight / right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi·38 sec
Toward TX 31 East: Downtown Longview
18
Merge onto TX 31
5.6 mi·6 min·State Highway 31 North
19
Continue on TX 31
0.5 mi·57 sec·East State Highway 31
20
Turn right onto US 80
0.6 mi·59 sec·West Marshall Avenue
21
Arrive at destination
US 80
Trip Plan
Given the 8-hour duration, splitting this 473.5-mile drive over two days is highly recommended. Aim to depart early to maximize your daylight driving hours. With two recommended stops, plan your overnight stay around the halfway point to ensure a balanced and less strenuous trip. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 183-mile stretch on US 84, as services might be more spread out in certain sections. This itinerary allows for a relaxed pace, so you can easily adjust your stopping times as needed.
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 236.8 miles from Lubbock, TX, or about 4h 2m 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 104 miles or 1h 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 236.8 miles or 4h 2m 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 236.8 miles or 4h 2m
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 7h 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Longview, 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 237 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Longview, TX
Aim for roughly 237 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 104 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 115.7 and 466.4 — 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
4
466.4 mi into trip|~7h 58m in
Take the exit toward TX 31 East: Downtown Longview
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward TX 31 East: Downtown Longview
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$64.85 one way
$129.71 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg166 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$72.44
$144.88
premium
$4.23
$78.76
$157.52
diesel
$4.80
$89.41
$178.81
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$65
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$195–$305
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 165.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $50 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
142.1
1
$49.72
$22.73
Efficient EV
118.4
1
$41.43
$18.94
EV Truck/SUV
189.4
2
$66.29
$30.30
Gas CO2
166 kg
EV CO2
55 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
Late night
in Lubbock on Monday
Local time
1:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSE 10 mph24% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 6:23PM CDT until July 16 at 8:15PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 6:21PM CDT until July 16 at 7:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Destination
Longview, TX
Late night
in Longview on Monday
Local time
1:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 5 mph29% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 6:23PM CDT until July 16 at 8:15PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 6:21PM CDT until July 16 at 7:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa 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.
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
10 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
8h 7m 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 drive is predominantly highway, with 66% of the 473.5 miles on major roads like US 84 and the Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 183 miles on US 84 before transitioning to surface roads. The profile is mostly highway, meaning you'll experience consistent cruising speeds with fewer interruptions for much of the trip.
66% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 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
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 84 and Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway. You will hit about 11 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 473.5 miles you will encounter 11 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 ft370 ft
Total Climb
226 ft
Total Descent
3,059 ft
Highest Point
3,203 ft
Elevation Range
2,833 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Lubbock, TX to Longview, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Shreveport along the way.
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
Longview is a city in the Piney Woods region of Texas. At one time a major headquarters of the vast East Texas Oil Field, petroleum remains a large part of the city's economy. Founded in 1871, the city earned its name when surveyors for the Southern Pacific Railroad noted what a "long view" they could see from a hill near the center of the new town. Longview is now home to more than 75,000 residents and has grown to be an important center of commerce and industry for the Piney Woods region of Texas.
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
8h 7m 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 237 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 53 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 Longview, 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 53 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. 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 8.1 hours each way, a round trip means 16.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Longview, TX before the return drive.
