Llano Estacado Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Lubbock, TX to Nacogdoches, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
9h 6m
Distance
507.2 mi
816 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$69
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
8h 59m
★
6 AM
9h 7m
8 AM
9h 23m
10 AM
9h 13m
12 PM
9h 11m
3 PM
9h 14m
5 PM
9h 23m
8 PM
9h 2m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lubbock, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Nacogdoches, TX
Action Construction Equipment Ltd. - ACE
Trip Overview
Lubbock to Nacogdoches is 507 miles and takes about 9 hours 6 minutes via US 84 and the C F Hawn Freeway, with a fuel budget near $79 and enough daylight to finish in a day, though it's better as an overnight. This route cuts across Texas, starting in the Great Plains and ending in the same region, offering a long-haul drive that's best split over two days. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, making it a straightforward trip for those looking to cover ground efficiently. Plan for a full day of driving if you attempt it solo, but consider breaking it up for a more relaxed experience.
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
253.6 miles from Lubbock, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 19m 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 |
| East State Highway 21 | 22.9 mi | 34m |
| Lyndon B Johnson Freeway | 21.4 mi | 22m |
| US Highway 175 East | 20.8 mi | 22m |
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
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 Nacogdoches, 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 right at fork onto I 20
23 mi
·
24 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Toward I 20 East: Dallas, Shreveport
Use 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: Dallas
Use 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 479B
Toward US 175 East: Kaufman
Use 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
0.5 mi
·
41 sec
·
North Marcus Street
30
Turn left onto TX 21
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
East San Antonio Street
31
Continue on TX 21
23 mi
·
34 min
·
East State Highway 21
32
Continue on TX 21
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Douglass Road
33
Continue on TX 21 Bus
0.6 mi
·
51 sec
·
West Main Street
34
Arrive at destination
TX 7 Bus; TX 21 Bus
Trip Plan
Given the 9-hour drive time, it's recommended to break this trip into two days, stopping around the halfway point. Starting early in the morning will allow you to cover a significant portion before midday. With two recommended stops, you can effectively divide the 507 miles into manageable segments. Keep an eye on fuel, especially during the 183-mile stretch on US 84, as services might be less frequent. Budgeting around $79 for fuel is a good estimate for this drive.
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 253.6 miles from Lubbock, TX, or about 4h 19m 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 112 miles or 1h 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 253.6 miles or 4h 19m 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 253.6 miles or 4h 19m
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 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Nacogdoches, 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 254 miles and 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Nacogdoches, TX
Aim for roughly 254 miles and 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 112 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.
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
167 mi into the route
Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch
This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.
Second major stop
Overnight candidate
335 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Mesquite, TXOvernight Options
Night 1
254 mi · about 4.6h in
A practical overnight split lands near Weatherford, TX after about 254 miles or 4.6 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 112 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 253.6 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.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 254 miles or 4.6 hours on the road.
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
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
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
Picnic Area
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
Flying J Travel Center
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
Pilot Travel Center
0.4 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
1.3 mi from route
QuikTrip
2.5 mi from route
Durst Taylor Museum
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.2 mi from route
Nacogdoches, Texas
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+19365604443
Visit websitePecan Acres Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Nacogdoches, Texas
Hours: 6 am–10 pm
+19365592960
Visit websiteMackenzie 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 125 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
$69.47 one way
$138.94 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
178 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $77.60 | $155.20 |
| premium | $4.23 | $84.37 | $168.73 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $95.77 | $191.54 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$69
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$199–$309
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 177.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $53 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 152.2 | 1 | $53.26 | $24.35 |
| Efficient EV | 126.8 | 1 | $44.38 | $20.29 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 202.9 | 2 | $71.01 | $32.46 |
Gas CO2
177 kg
EV CO2
59 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 Monday
Local time
3:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSE 10 mph
22% chance
Live forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 19 at 4:22PM CDT until July 19 at 5:00PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 19 at 4:22PM CDT by NWS Fort Worth TX
Destination
Nacogdoches, TX
Afternoon in Nacogdoches on Monday
Local time
3:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
96°F
Sunny
SW 5 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 19 at 4:22PM CDT until July 19 at 5:00PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 19 at 4:22PM CDT by NWS Fort Worth TX
102°F
Mesquite, TX
335 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
5 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
9h 6m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Eighty-seven percent of this drive is on highways, so expect long stretches of efficient cruising. The longest continuous highway segment is 183 miles, primarily on US 84. You'll encounter the C F Hawn Freeway closer to your destination, indicating a transition to more urban or suburban road networks. This means you'll mostly be on high-speed roads with fewer interruptions until the final approach.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 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 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 12 significant decision points across 507.2 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 ft
302 ft
Total Climb
322 ft
Total Descent
3,223 ft
Highest Point
3,203 ft
Elevation Range
2,901 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.
On the drive from Lubbock, TX to Nacogdoches, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Shreveport along the way.
Shreveport
298.7 mi in
|
~5h 5m
|
via I 20
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 Nacogdoches, TX
Full guide →Nacogdoches is a city in the Piney Woods of Texas. It is the oldest city in the state.
Top landmarks
- • Sterne-Hoya House Museum and Library — historic place in Nacogdoches, Nacogdoches County, Texas
- • Woodmen of the World Building — building in Nacogdoches, Nacogdoches County, Texas, United States
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
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 254 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 38 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 Nacogdoches, 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 38 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 9.1 hours each way, a round trip means 18.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Nacogdoches, 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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