Trip from Lubbock, TX to West Columbia, 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
10h 8m
Distance
536.8 mi
864 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$74
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lubbock, TX
Wikimedia Commons
West Columbia, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Trip Overview
Lubbock, TX to West Columbia, TX is 536.8 miles and takes about 10h 8m via Texas State Highway 71 and US Highway 84, with a fuel budget near $84 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This long-haul drive spans across Texas, beginning in the Great Plains region and ending in the same area. While the main highways dominate 91% of the route, you'll still encounter a change in scenery as you traverse the state. It's a substantial trip, best suited for a two-day adventure to allow for comfortable driving and potential stops.
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
268.4 miles from Lubbock, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 48m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Texas State Highway 71 | 78.7 mi | 1h 23m |
| US Highway 84 | 73.9 mi | 1h 14m |
| State Highway 153 | 69 mi | 1h 14m |
| US 183 | 51.8 mi | 57m |
| South US Highway 183 | 35.3 mi | 38m |
| US Highway 84 East | 29.2 mi | 33m |
| East Highway 84 | 26.9 mi | 26m |
| US Highway 90A | 21.9 mi | 27m |
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,210 veh/hr typical · worst 1,594
Quietest
3 AM
~203 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
Averaged across 31 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 West Columbia, TX.
Start on US 62; TX 114
Turn left onto US 84
Continue on US 84
Continue on US 84
Continue on US 84
Continue on US 84
Continue on US 84
Turn left onto Spur 575
Turn right onto TX 207
Turn straight onto TX 207
At end of road, turn left onto US 84
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84
Take the exit
Turn slight left onto Southwest Georgia Avenue
Turn right onto TX 70
Continue on TX 70
Turn left onto TX 153
Continue on TX 153
Continue on TX 153
At end of road, turn left onto US 84; US 283
Continue on US 67; US 84
Turn right onto US 84; US 183
Continue on US 84; US 183
Turn right onto US 183; TX 16
Continue on US 183; US 190
Merge onto US 183; US 190; US 281
Continue on US 183; US 190; US 281
Continue on US 183
Continue on this road
Keep slight left at fork onto 183A Toll
Continue on US 183
Continue on 183 Toll
Continue on US 183
Take the exit
Continue on TX 71
Turn straight onto 71 Toll
Continue on TX 71
Continue on TX 71
Take the exit
Continue on TX 71
Turn right onto TX 71
Turn left onto US 90 Alt
Continue on US 90 Alt
Continue on US 90 Alt
Continue on US 90 Alt; FM 102
Continue on US 90 Alt
Continue on US 90 Alt
Continue on US 90 Alt
Continue on US 90 Alt
Continue on US 90 Alt
Turn right onto FM 1875
Continue on FM 1875
At end of road, turn right onto Loop 540
Turn left onto FM 360
Turn right onto TX 36
Turn left onto TX 35
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 10-hour duration, planning this as a two-day trip is highly recommended to avoid fatigue. Aim to depart early in the morning to maximize your daylight hours, especially if you plan to break up the drive. With two recommended stops, you can easily divide the 536.8 miles into two manageable segments. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as it's a long haul, and budget around $84 for gas. A specific tip for this route is to be prepared for the longest stretch of 78.7 miles on Texas State Highway 71; ensure you're fueled up before you begin that 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.
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 118 miles or 2h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 268.4 miles or 4h 48m 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 268.4 miles or 4h 48m
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 8h 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near West Columbia, 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 268 miles and 5.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into West Columbia, TX
Aim for roughly 268 miles and 5.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
177 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
354 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 San Antonio, TXOvernight Options
Night 1
268 mi · about 5.1h in
A practical overnight split lands near Kempner, TX after about 268 miles or 5.1 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
A short stop after about 118 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 268.4 miles from Lubbock, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Texas State Highway 71 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 78.7 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 268 miles or 5.1 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.
Llano Estacado Picnic Area
San Saba Picnic Area
Picnic Area
Service Plaza
QuikTrip
Love's Travel Stop
TA
Service Plaza
Eagles Landing Travel Plaza
Buc-ee's
Pilot Travel Center
Flying J Travel Center
Colorado County Eastbound Rest Area
Colorado County Westbound Rest Area
Rest Area
Columbia Historical Museum and Rosenwald School
Near the end, right off the route
West Columbia, Texas
Hours: 10 am–2 pm
+19793456125
Visit websiteVarner-Hogg Plantation State Historic Site
Near the end, short detour
West Columbia, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+19793454656
Visit websiteMackenzie Main City Park
Near the start, short detour
Lubbock, Texas
Hours: 7 am–8 pm
+18067752673
Visit websiteAmerican Windmill Museum
Near the start, short detour
Lubbock, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+18067478734
Visit websiteThe Martin & Frances Lehnis Railroad Museum
Around the midpoint, short detour
Brownwood, Texas
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+13256436376
Visit websiteBrown County Museum of History
Around the midpoint, short detour
Brownwood, Texas
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+13256411926
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 225 decision points cluster between mile 115.7 and 379.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84 toward I 20 East, US 84 East: Abilene
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward SH 70 South, SH 70 Business: Sweetwater, San Angelo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto 183A Toll / 183A Toll Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward TX 71 East: Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Turn straight onto 71 Toll / Bastrop Freeway toward 71 Toll East, TX 45 Toll North, TX 130 Toll North
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$73.52 one way
$147.05 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $82.13 | $164.25 |
| premium | $4.23 | $89.29 | $178.58 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $101.36 | $202.72 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.00
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
$74
Tolls
$1
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$205–$315
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 187.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $56 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 161 | 1 | $56.36 | $25.77 |
| Efficient EV | 134.2 | 1 | $46.97 | $21.47 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 214.7 | 2 | $75.15 | $34.36 |
Gas CO2
188 kg
EV CO2
63 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.
Origin
Lubbock, TX
Late night in Lubbock on Monday
Local time
3:26 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 4:47PM CDT until July 16 at 7:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 16 at 4:46PM CDT until July 16 at 5:30PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
Destination
West Columbia, TX
Late night in West Columbia on Monday
Local time
3:26 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Mostly Sunny
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 4:47PM CDT until July 16 at 7:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 16 at 4:46PM CDT until July 16 at 5:30PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
91°F
Brownwood, TX
177 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
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
10h 8m 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?
For the majority of this 536.8-mile trip, you'll be on highways, with 91% of the drive taking place on them. The longest continuous stretch on a single road is 78.7 miles, which occurs on Texas State Highway 71. This means you'll experience extended periods of cruising before encountering surface roads. Expect a good amount of rural cruising with fewer exits compared to routes closer to major metropolitan areas.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Texas State Highway 71 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.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 536.8 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. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 122.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 340.8 miles (183A Toll / 183A Toll Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
Total Climb
56 ft
Total Descent
3,225 ft
Highest Point
3,203 ft
Elevation Range
3,169 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.
Between Lubbock, TX and West Columbia, TX, road signs point toward Sh 70 South, Sh 70 Business: Sweetwater, San Angelo, 71 Toll East and El Campo.
Sh 70 South
Sh 70 Business: Sweetwater
San Angelo
71 Toll East
El Campo
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 West Columbia, TX
Full guide →City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Frequently Asked Questions
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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