This 469.9-mile drive from Lubbock, TX to Rusk, TX will take approximately 8 hours and 15 minutes, making it a substantial journey best split over two days. You'll spend most of your time on US 84 and the C F Hawn Freeway, with 87% of the route being highway driving. With an estimated fuel cost of $71 and a plan for two stops, this route offers a straightforward, highway-focused experience across the Great Plains region of Texas. It's a solid option if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground, but don't expect a leisurely sightseeing tour.
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
235 miles from Lubbock, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 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 175
13.3 mi
14m
Longest stretch:
US 84
— 183 mi, about 3h 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lubbock, TX and Rusk, 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
1.5 mi·1 min·North Dickinson Drive
28
Turn right onto US 84
0.4 mi·40 sec·North Henderson Street
29
Turn right onto US 84
257 ft·4 sec·East 6th Street
30
Arrive at destination
US 84
Trip Plan
Given the 8 hour and 15 minute duration, splitting this 469.9-mile drive over two days is highly recommended. Aim to depart early to maximize daylight for your first leg. Plan for your two stops strategically, perhaps breaking the journey around the halfway point to rest and refuel. The longest stretch of 183 miles on US 84 means you'll want to ensure you have sufficient fuel before embarking on that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach the middle of the drive, to manage the estimated $71 fuel cost effectively.
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 235 miles from Lubbock, TX, or about 4h 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 103 miles or 1h 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 235 miles or 4h 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 235 miles or 4h
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 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rusk, 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 235 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Rusk, TX
Aim for roughly 235 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 103 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 13
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
$71.00 one way
$142.01 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg164 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$77.72
$155.44
premium
$4.54
$83.90
$167.80
diesel
$5.61
$103.75
$207.50
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$71
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$201–$311
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 164.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $49 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
141
1
$49.34
$22.56
Efficient EV
117.5
1
$41.12
$18.80
EV Truck/SUV
188
2
$65.79
$30.07
Gas CO2
164 kg
EV CO2
55 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 Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Lubbock, TX
Late night
in Lubbock on Sunday
Local time
1:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
89°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 15 to 20 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 17 at 7:31AM CDT until April 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 17 at 7:25AM CDT until April 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Destination
Rusk, TX
Late night
in Rusk on Sunday
Local time
1:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
30 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
8h 15m 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?
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 469.9-mile trip, with 87% of the route utilizing major highways like US 84. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 183 miles, primarily on US 84. This means you'll likely experience consistent speeds and straightforward navigation for significant portions of your journey. While the profile suggests a highway-focused experience, be prepared for the character of the road to remain largely consistent, emphasizing efficiency over varied scenery.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 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 13 significant decision points across 469.9 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.
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 Rusk, 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.
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 235 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 Rusk, 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 8.3 hours each way, a round trip means 16.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Rusk, TX before the return drive.
