Lubbock to Lufkin is 512.3 miles and takes about 9 hours 7 minutes via US 84 and C F Hawn Freeway, with a fuel budget near $68 and enough daylight to finish in a day if you start early. This long-haul drive primarily stays within Texas, beginning in the Great Plains region and heading toward the Piney Woods. While it's technically doable in one go, splitting it over two days is highly recommended for a more relaxed experience. You'll encounter a mix of highway cruising and potential for more local traffic as you approach your destination, making it a straightforward but substantial trip across the state.
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
256.2 miles from Lubbock, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 21m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 84
183 mi
3h 5m
US Highway 84
73.9 mi
1h 14m
C F Hawn Freeway
58.8 mi
1h 3m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
36.5 mi
39m
East Highway 84
26.9 mi
26m
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
21.4 mi
22m
US Highway 175 East
20.8 mi
22m
US Highway 69 South
20.8 mi
23m
Longest stretch:
US 84
— 183 mi, about 3h 5m
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 84 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,998 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,491
Quietest
2 AM
~243 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.2×
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 Lufkin, 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
21 mi·22 min·Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 479BToward US 175 East: KaufmanUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto US 175
59 mi·1 hr 3 min·C F Hawn Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on US 175 Bus
151 ft·9 sec·US Highway 175 West
19
Turn left onto US 175 Bus; TX 31 Bus
2.5 mi·4 min·West Corsicana Street
20
Continue on US 175 Bus
21 mi·22 min·US Highway 175 East
21
Continue on US 175
2.0 mi·3 min·West Pine Street
22
Continue on US 175
13 mi·14 min·US Highway 175
23
Continue on US 175
0.6 mi·58 sec·Frankston Highway
24
Continue on US 175
0.2 mi·21 sec·Alexander Boulevard
25
At end of road, turn right onto US 69
3.3 mi·4 min·North Jackson Street
26
Continue on US 69
9.5 mi·10 min·US Highway 69 North
27
Continue on US 69
3.4 mi·3 min·North Dickinson Drive
28
Continue on US 69
9.3 mi·10 min·US Highway 69 South
29
Continue on US 69
1.5 mi·1 min·North Marcus Street
30
Continue on US 69
11 mi·13 min·US Highway 69 South
31
Continue on US 69
15 mi·19 min·Rusk Street
32
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
33
Continue on Loop 287 Frontage Road
0.5 mi·49 sec·Loop 287 Frontage Road
34
Continue on Loop 287
0.1 mi·17 sec·Loop 287 Frontage Road
35
Turn right onto US 69 Bus
1.6 mi·2 min·Kurth Drive
36
Turn slight right
240 ft·8 sec
37
Turn straight onto Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
0.5 mi·1 min·Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
38
Turn left onto Abney Avenue
474 ft·13 sec·Abney Avenue
39
Turn right onto Loop 266
0.6 mi·1 min·North First Street
40
Arrive at destination
Loop 266
Trip Plan
Given the 9-hour drive time, this trip is best tackled over two days to avoid fatigue. Plan to leave Lubbock in the morning, aiming to cover about half the distance on your first day. This allows for a comfortable pace and time for necessary stops. The longest stretch on US 84 is over 180 miles, so be sure to top off your fuel before starting that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you get closer to Lufkin, as services can become more spread out in some sections.
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 256.2 miles from Lubbock, TX, or about 4h 21m 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 113 miles or 1h 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 256.2 miles or 4h 21m 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 256.2 miles or 4h 21m
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 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lufkin, 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 256 miles and 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Lufkin, TX
Aim for roughly 256 miles and 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 113 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 115.7 and 356.9 — 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
356.6 mi into trip|~6h 7m in
Take the exit toward US 175 East: Kaufman
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 479B
Toward US 175 East: Kaufman
5
356.9 mi into trip|~6h 7m in|US 175 / C F Hawn Freeway
Merge onto US 175 / C F Hawn Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$70.17 one way
$140.34 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg179 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$78.38
$156.76
premium
$4.23
$85.22
$170.43
diesel
$4.80
$96.73
$193.46
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$70
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$200–$310
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 179.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $54 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
153.7
1
$53.79
$24.59
Efficient EV
128.1
1
$44.83
$20.49
EV Truck/SUV
204.9
2
$71.72
$32.79
Gas CO2
179 kg
EV CO2
60 kg (66% 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 13, 2026
Origin
Lubbock, TX
Late night
in Lubbock on Monday
Local time
5:18 AM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
E 5 to 10 mph25% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 13 at 7:28AM CDT until July 13 at 8:45AM CDT by NWS Fort Worth TX
Destination
Lufkin, TX
Late night
in Lufkin on Monday
Local time
5:18 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
N 0 to 5 mph78% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 13 at 7:28AM CDT until July 13 at 8:45AM CDT by NWS Fort Worth TX
102°F
Mesquite, TX
338 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
6 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 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 route is predominantly highway driving, with 84% on major roads like US 84 and the C F Hawn Freeway. The longest continuous stretch you'll experience is 183 miles on US 84, offering extended periods of consistent speed. As you transition off the main highways, expect more varied road conditions and potentially more frequent exits. You'll notice the shift from open plains driving to more developed areas as you get closer to Lufkin.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
40 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?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 84 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 Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 512.3 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. 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 ft313 ft
Total Climb
197 ft
Total Descent
3,087 ft
Highest Point
3,203 ft
Elevation Range
2,890 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 Lufkin, 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
Lufkin is a city in Angelina County, in the Piney Woods region of north-east Texas. It has its origins in railroad lines, as it became a stop along the Houston, East and West Texas Railway in 1882 and a depot where cotton could be stored. Not long after, commerce gave way to the timber industry with several sawmills and the Angelina County Lumber Company operating, which in turn saw the addition of foundries and paper mills.
Even though much of this industry has subsided, Lufkin still holds on with chicken plants, retirement homes, churches, etc, plus a handful of tourist attractions.
One distinction about the area is that it witnessed the demise of the Space Ship Columbia during reentry in 2003, which can be appreciated at the Naranjo Museum.
Top landmarks
•Angelina River Bridge — structure in Lufkin, Angelina County, Texas
•Pines Theater — theater and movie theater in Lufkin, Texas, United States
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 256 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 Lufkin, 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 9.1 hours each way, a round trip means 18.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Lufkin, TX before the return drive.
