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Trip from Lubbock, TX to West Columbia, TX

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Compiled 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

Save up to 27 min
4 AM
10h 0m ★
6 AM
10h 9m
8 AM
10h 27m
10 AM
10h 15m
12 PM
10h 13m
3 PM
10h 16m
5 PM
10h 26m
8 PM
10h 3m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

county seat of Lubbock County, Texas, United States

Lubbock, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown West Columbia, TX, TX

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
Longest stretch: Texas State Highway 71 — 78.7 mi, about 1h 23m

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

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

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.

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

6.5 mi · 6 min · US 84
Toward I 20 East, US 84 East: Abilene
13

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 18 sec
Exit 244 Toward SH 70 South, SH 70 Business: Sweetwater, San Angelo
14

Turn slight left onto Southwest Georgia Avenue

0.1 mi · 16 sec · Southwest Georgia Avenue
15

Turn right onto TX 70

0.7 mi · 1 min · Lamar Street
16

Continue on TX 70

10 mi · 10 min · State Highway 70
17

Turn left onto TX 153

69 mi · 1 hr 14 min · State Highway 153
18

Continue on TX 153

1.0 mi · 1 min · West Walnut Street
19

Continue on TX 153

0.9 mi · 1 min · East Walnut Street
20

At end of road, turn left onto US 84; US 283

9.4 mi · 10 min · US 84; US 283
21

Continue on US 67; US 84

21 mi · 24 min · US 67; US 84
22

Turn right onto US 84; US 183

1.3 mi · 1 min · Garmon Drive
23

Continue on US 84; US 183

29 mi · 33 min · US Highway 84 East
24

Turn right onto US 183; TX 16

22 mi · 25 min · US 183; TX 16
25

Continue on US 183; US 190

15 mi · 15 min · US 183; US 190
26

Merge onto US 183; US 190; US 281

260 ft · 4 sec · North US Highway 281
27

Continue on US 183; US 190; US 281

2.3 mi · 4 min · North Key Avenue
28

Continue on US 183

35 mi · 38 min · South US Highway 183
29

Continue on this road

0.4 mi · 29 sec · this road
30

Keep slight left at fork onto 183A Toll

14 mi · 14 min · 183A Toll Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31

Continue on US 183

15 mi · 17 min · US 183
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32

Continue on 183 Toll

6.3 mi · 6 min · Bergstrom Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33

Continue on US 183

0.4 mi · 26 sec · Bastrop Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
34

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward TX 71 East: Austin-Bergstrom International Airport Use the slight left / straight lanes.
35

Continue on TX 71

2.2 mi · 2 min · East State Highway 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36

Turn straight onto 71 Toll

1.9 mi · 2 min · Bastrop Freeway
Toward 71 Toll East, TX 45 Toll North, TX 130 Toll North Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37

Continue on TX 71

0.5 mi · 29 sec · East State Highway 71
38

Continue on TX 71

79 mi · 1 hr 23 min · Texas State Highway 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
39

Take the exit

365 ft · 8 sec
Toward TX 71 East, TX 71 BUS: Columbus, El Campo
40

Continue on TX 71

0.3 mi · 35 sec · TX 71
Toward TX 71 East, TX 71 BUS: Columbus, El Campo
41

Turn right onto TX 71

9.7 mi · 10 min · State Highway 71 South
42

Turn left onto US 90 Alt

7.4 mi · 8 min · US Highway 90A
43

Continue on US 90 Alt

0.8 mi · 1 min · South McCarty Avenue
44

Continue on US 90 Alt

0.3 mi · 54 sec · Boothe Drive
45

Continue on US 90 Alt; FM 102

0.8 mi · 1 min · East Main Street
46

Continue on US 90 Alt

5.4 mi · 5 min · US Highway 90A
47

Continue on US 90 Alt

0.8 mi · 1 min · Main Street
48

Continue on US 90 Alt

9.1 mi · 13 min · US Highway 90A
49

Continue on US 90 Alt

1.4 mi · 2 min · Main Street
50

Continue on US 90 Alt

5.0 mi · 7 min · US Highway 90A West
51

Turn right onto FM 1875

1.8 mi · 3 min · Beasley Road
52

Continue on FM 1875

2.8 mi · 5 min · Taverner Road
53

At end of road, turn right onto Loop 540

0.6 mi · 1 min · Loop 540
54

Turn left onto FM 360

8.9 mi · 15 min · FM 360
55

Turn right onto TX 36

20 mi · 30 min · TX-36
56

Turn left onto TX 35

0.8 mi · 1 min · West Brazos Avenue
57

Arrive at destination

TX 35

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.

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 268.4 miles from Lubbock, TX, or about 4h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78.7 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 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.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 118 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 Texas State Highway 71 for about 78.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Texas, United States of America

First major stop

Coffee and fuel

Brownwood, TX

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.

Downtown San Antonio, TX, TX

Second major stop

Overnight candidate

San Antonio, TX

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, TX

Overnight Options

Night 1

Kempner, TX

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 hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Roscoe, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 118 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Brownwood, TX

Meal break

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 check

Top up before Texas State Highway 71 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 78.7 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For 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.

Rest Area US-84 US-283

0 mi from route

Llano Estacado Picnic Area

0 mi from route

San Saba Picnic Area

0 mi from route

Picnic Area

0.1 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.1 mi from route

QuikTrip

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

Eagles Landing Travel Plaza

0.1 mi from route

Buc-ee's

0.2 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

1.1 mi from route

Flying J Travel Center

1.3 mi from route

Colorado County Eastbound Rest Area

2.1 mi from route

Colorado County Westbound Rest Area

2.1 mi from route

Rest Area

2.2 mi from route

Columbia Historical Museum and Rosenwald School

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0 mi from route

West Columbia, Texas

Hours: 10 am–2 pm

+19793456125

Visit website

Varner-Hogg Plantation State Historic Site

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

West Columbia, Texas

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+19793454656

Visit website

Mackenzie 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 website

American 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 website

The Martin & Frances Lehnis Railroad Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour

Brownwood, Texas

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+13256436376

Visit website

Brown County Museum of History

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour

Brownwood, Texas

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+13256411926

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 22

5 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.

6
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. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 20 East, US 84 East: Abilene
6
122.2 mi into trip | ~2h 6m in

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

Exit 244 Toward SH 70 South, SH 70 Business: Sweetwater,...
6
340.8 mi into trip | ~6h 9m in | 183A Toll / 183A Toll Road

Keep slight left at fork onto 183A Toll / 183A Toll Road

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
376.6 mi into trip | ~6h 48m in

Take the exit toward TX 71 East: Austin-Bergstrom International Airport

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / straight lanes. Toward TX 71 East: Austin-Bergstrom Internation...
5
379.3 mi into trip | ~6h 51m in | 71 Toll / Bastrop Freeway

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward 71 Toll East, TX 45 Toll North, TX 130 T...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$73.52 one way

$147.05 round trip

$3.48/gal 25.4 MPG avg 188 kg CO2
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

183A Toll Road (14.3 mi) $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.

Forecast as of Jul 16, 2026

Origin

Lubbock, TX

Late night in Lubbock on Monday

Local time

3:26 AM

CDT

Current temp

82°F

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

SE 10 mph 24% chance Live forecast

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

SE 10 mph 24% chance Live forecast

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.

91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
57 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 78.7 mi on Texas State Highway 71.

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.

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 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

3,203 ft 33 ft

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.

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

122.2 mi in | ~2h 6m

Sh 70 Business: Sweetwater

122.2 mi in | ~2h 6m

San Angelo

122.2 mi in | ~2h 6m

71 Toll East

379.3 mi in | ~6h 51m | via 71 Toll

El Campo

460.3 mi in | ~8h 18m

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

The longest stretch is about 78.7 miles on Texas State Highway 71. 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 268 miles on day one.

Expect about $1.00 in tolls one way, starting with 183A Toll Road. 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 16 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 West Columbia, 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 16 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. 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.

Not recommended in a single day. At 10.1 hours each way, a round trip means 20.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at West Columbia, 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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