Llano Estacado Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Lubbock, TX to Murphy, 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
6h 25m
Distance
367.7 mi
592 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$50
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 13m
★
6 AM
6h 25m
8 AM
6h 50m
10 AM
6h 34m
12 PM
6h 31m
3 PM
6h 35m
5 PM
6h 49m
8 PM
6h 18m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lubbock, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Murphy, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Lubbock, TX to Murphy, TX is 367.7 miles and takes about 6h 25m via US 84, with a fuel budget near $58 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Texas, traversing the Great Plains region for its entirety. Given the mostly highway profile and manageable duration, it's a straightforward one-day drive. Plan for a direct route with minimal detours, making it a practical choice for getting from point A to point B 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
183.9 miles from Lubbock, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 8m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 84 | 183 mi | 3h 5m |
| US Highway 84 | 73.9 mi | 1h 14m |
| East Highway 84 | 26.9 mi | 26m |
| Jim Wright Freeway | 12.6 mi | 14m |
| SH 183 TEXpress | 11.7 mi | 11m |
| I 820 TEXpress | 6.9 mi | 6m |
| North Central Expressway | 5.7 mi | 6m |
| West Freeway | 5.6 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
US 84
— 183 mi, about 3h 5m
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 56 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,680 veh/hr typical · worst 2,135
Quietest
2 AM
~202 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.3×
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 Murphy, 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: Abilene
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30
5.6 mi
·
5 min
·
West Freeway
Exit 421
Toward I 30 East: Downtown Fort Worth
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 5B
Toward I 820 North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 820
13 mi
·
14 min
·
Jim Wright Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 820
0.3 mi
·
18 sec
·
Northeast Loop
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 820 TEXpress
6.9 mi
·
6 min
·
I 820 TEXpress
Toward I 820 Express East: DFW Airport Dallas Entrance
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
18
Continue on TX 121 TEXpress; TX 183 TEXpress
4.4 mi
·
4 min
·
SH 121/183 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on TX 183 TEXpress
12 mi
·
11 min
·
SH 183 TEXpress
Toward TX 183 Express East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto Loop 12 TEXpress
2.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Loop 12 TEXpress
Toward I 35E Toll North
Use the slight left lane.
21
Merge onto Loop 12
0.8 mi
·
53 sec
·
North Walton Walker Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Merge onto I 35E
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
North Stemmons Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
Exit 440B
Toward I 635 East
Use the right lane.
24
Merge onto I 635
4.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on I 635
2.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway
Use the right lane.
26
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
Exit 19A
Toward US 75 North, US 75 South: McKinney, Dallas
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 75 North: McKinney
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
28
Merge onto US 75
5.7 mi
·
6 min
·
North Central Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 28B
Toward PGBT: President George Bush Turnpike
Use the slight right lane.
30
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Toward PGBT East: President George Bush Turnpike
Use the slight right lane.
31
Merge onto PGBT
0.3 mi
·
19 sec
·
President George Bush Turnpike
32
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Toward Jupiter Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Turn straight onto TX 190
0.6 mi
·
52 sec
·
President George Bush Highway
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
34
Turn left onto North Jupiter Road
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
North Jupiter Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
35
Turn right onto East Plano Parkway
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
East Plano Parkway
Use the right lane.
36
Continue on 14th Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
14th Street
37
Continue on FM 544
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
West FM 544
38
Turn left onto FM 2551
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
North Murphy Road
Use the left lane.
39
Continue on FM 2551
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
North Murphy Road
Use the left lane.
40
Arrive at destination
FM 2551
Trip Plan
With a drive time of around 6 hours and 25 minutes, this route is easily manageable in a single day. Leaving Lubbock in the morning will give you ample daylight to reach Murphy. The fuel cost is estimated at $58, so ensure your tank is full before departing or plan a stop for gas. While there's only one suggested stop, the 183-mile stretch on US 84 means you can push further between breaks if needed, but it's wise to take advantage of any services along that longer segment.
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 183.9 miles from Lubbock, TX, or about 3h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 183 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 81 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 183.9 miles or 3h 8m 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 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Murphy, 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 367.7 miles and 6h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 81 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 84 for about 183 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
184 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 81 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 183.9 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 84 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 183 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.
Picnic Area
0 mi from route
I-20 Westbound Picnic Area
0 mi from route
I-20 Eastbound Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Eastland County Eastbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Eastland County Westbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Nolan County Eastbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
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
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Eagles Landing Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
Callahan County Eastbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Callahan County Westbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
1.3 mi from route
QuikTrip
1.9 mi from route
Mr. Fuel Travel Center
2.4 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 275 decision points cluster between mile 115.7 and 354 — 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 30 / West Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30 / West Freeway toward I 30 East: Downtown Fort Worth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 421
Toward I 30 East: Downtown Fort Worth
7
304.3 mi into trip
|
~5h 11m in
Take the exit toward I 820 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 5B
Toward I 820 North
7
318 mi into trip
|
~5h 27m in
|
I 820 TEXpress
Keep slight left at fork onto I 820 TEXpress toward I 820 Express East: DFW Airport Dallas Entrance
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 820 Express East: DFW Airport Dallas E...
8
354 mi into trip
|
~6h 4m in
Take the exit toward US 75 North, US 75 South: McKinney, Dallas
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 19A
Toward US 75 North, US 75 South: McKinney, Dall...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$50.36 one way
$100.73 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
129 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $56.26 | $112.51 |
| premium | $4.23 | $61.16 | $122.33 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $69.43 | $138.86 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.48
Central Expressway
(5.7 mi)
$0.46
President George Bush Turnpike
(0.3 mi)
$0.02
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$50
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$76–$101
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 128.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 110.3 | 1 | $38.61 | $17.65 |
| Efficient EV | 91.9 | 1 | $32.17 | $14.71 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 147.1 | 1 | $51.48 | $23.53 |
Gas CO2
129 kg
EV CO2
43 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
Afternoon in Lubbock on Tuesday
Local time
12:33 PM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Sunny
S 10 mph
4% chance
Live forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 20 at 1:26PM CDT until July 21 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Lubbock TX
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 20 at 1:00PM CDT until July 21 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Houston/Galveston TX
Destination
Murphy, TX
Afternoon in Murphy on Tuesday
Local time
12:33 PM
CDT
Current temp
99°F
Sunny
S 5 mph
5% chance
Live forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 20 at 1:26PM CDT until July 21 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Lubbock TX
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 20 at 1:00PM CDT until July 21 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Houston/Galveston TX
101°F
Albany, TX
184 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
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
6h 25m 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?
You'll spend about 94% of this 367.7-mile drive on highways, primarily US 84. The longest continuous stretch on this highway is 183 miles. Expect a significant portion of rural cruising with fewer exits compared to interstates. The transition to surface roads will likely occur near your destination in Murphy, TX.
94% 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?
10/10
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 Effort
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 27 significant decision points across 367.7 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 30 / West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 304.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
3,203 ft
502 ft
Total Climb
253 ft
Total Descent
2,879 ft
Highest Point
3,203 ft
Elevation Range
2,701 ft
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 Murphy, 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 6h 25m. Total distance: 367.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 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.
Expect about $0.48 in tolls one way, starting with Central Expressway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 33 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 Murphy, 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. There are 33 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 30 / West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 304.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Murphy, 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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