Llano Estacado Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Mexia, TX to Lubbock, 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
7h 21m
Distance
408 mi
657 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$56
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 11m
★
6 AM
7h 21m
8 AM
7h 42m
10 AM
7h 29m
12 PM
7h 27m
3 PM
7h 30m
5 PM
7h 41m
8 PM
7h 15m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Mexia, TX
Thomas balabaud
Lubbock, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Mexia, TX to Lubbock, TX is 408 miles and takes about 7h 21m via Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway and US 84, with a fuel budget near $65 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Texas, crossing the Great Plains region twice. Expect a mixed driving experience with a good portion on highways, but also some stretches on surface roads. Given the relatively short duration and distance, this route is easily manageable in a single day, offering a straightforward drive across the state.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
204 miles from Mexia, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 52m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway | 198.4 mi | 3h 21m |
| US 84 | 74.5 mi | 1h 14m |
| I 35W | 45 mi | 47m |
| South Magnolia Avenue | 22 mi | 32m |
| Highway 84 | 20 mi | 19m |
| TX 171 | 11.6 mi | 17m |
| State Highway 171 | 10 mi | 14m |
| East Highway 84 | 6.8 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
— 198.4 mi, about 3h 21m
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 72 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 Mexia, TX and Lubbock, TX.
1
Start on South McKinney Street
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
South McKinney Street
2
Turn left onto US 84
0.4 mi
·
33 sec
·
East Milam Street
3
Turn slight right
322 ft
·
11 sec
4
Continue on TX 171
12 mi
·
17 min
·
TX 171
5
Turn straight onto TX 171
10.0 mi
·
14 min
·
State Highway 171
6
Continue on TX 171
22 mi
·
32 min
·
South Magnolia Avenue
7
Turn slight right
314 ft
·
11 sec
8
Turn straight onto Southeast I-35 Frontage Road
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
Southeast I-35 Frontage Road
9
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward I 35 North
10
Merge onto I 35; US 77
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
45 mi
·
47 min
·
I 35W
Toward I 35W: Fort Worth
Use the slight left lane.
12
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
2 min
Exit 45A
Toward I 20 West: Abilene
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward I 20 West: Abilene
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 20
4.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20
4.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Toward I 20 West
Use the straight lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20
190 mi
·
3 hr 12 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Toward I 20 West: Abilene
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit onto US 84
0.3 mi
·
19 sec
·
US 84
Exit 238A
Toward US 84 West: Snyder, Lubbock
18
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84
74 mi
·
1 hr 14 min
·
US 84
19
Turn right onto Loop 46
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Avenue F
20
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 207
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
North Avenue F
21
Turn straight onto TX 207
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
·
Ralls Road
22
Turn left onto Spur 575
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
East 15th Street
23
Turn right onto US 84
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North US Highway 84
24
Continue on US 84
20 mi
·
19 min
·
Highway 84
25
Continue on US 84
4.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Trooper Jerry Don Davis Memorial Highway
26
Continue on US 84
6.8 mi
·
6 min
·
East Highway 84
27
Continue on US 84
4.9 mi
·
6 min
·
Slaton Road
28
Continue on US 84
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Avenue Q South Drive
29
Turn right onto US 62; TX 114
33 ft
·
0 sec
·
19th Street
30
Arrive at destination
US 62; TX 114
Trip Plan
For this 7-hour drive, leaving in the morning is your best bet to have plenty of daylight. With only 2 planned stops, you can afford to be flexible, but consider stopping roughly halfway to stretch your legs and refuel. The fuel cost is estimated around $65, so keep an eye on your gauge, especially during the longer 198.4-mile stretch on Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway. Since this is a one-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your schedule as needed.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 204 miles from Mexia, TX, or about 3h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 198.4 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 90 miles or 1h 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 204 miles or 3h 52m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lubbock, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Mexia, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Mexia, TX
This is one driving day of about 408 miles and 7h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 90 miles from Mexia, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway for about 198.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
204 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 90 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 204 miles from Mexia, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 198.4 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
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
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
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
QuikTrip
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
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
1.3 mi from route
Bicentennial Park
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
1.6 mi from route
~4 min detour
Crowley, Texas
Hours: 6 am–9 pm
+18172972201
Visit websiteMackenzie Main City Park
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.6 mi from route
~4 min detour
Lubbock, Texas
Hours: 7 am–8 pm
+18067752673
Visit websiteAmerican Windmill Museum
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
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 165 decision points cluster between mile 47.1 and 101.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
47.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 9m in
|
I 35W
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W toward I 35W: Fort Worth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 35W: Fort Worth
7
92.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 56m in
Take the exit toward I 20 West: Abilene
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 45A
Toward I 20 West: Abilene
7
93.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 58m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 20 West: Abilene
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 20 West: Abilene
7
97.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 3m in
|
I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway toward I 20 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 20 West
7
101.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 8m in
|
I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway toward I 20 West: Abilene
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 20 West: Abilene
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$55.88 one way
$111.77 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
143 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $62.42 | $124.84 |
| premium | $4.23 | $67.87 | $135.73 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $77.04 | $154.08 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$56
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$81–$106
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 142.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $43 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 122.4 | 1 | $42.84 | $19.58 |
| Efficient EV | 102 | 1 | $35.70 | $16.32 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 163.2 | 2 | $57.12 | $26.11 |
Gas CO2
143 kg
EV CO2
48 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
Mexia, TX
Evening in Mexia on Monday
Local time
7:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Partly Cloudy
S 5 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 10:11PM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 8:53PM CDT until July 20 at 6:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Lubbock, TX
Evening in Lubbock on Monday
Local time
7:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSW 5 mph
21% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 10:11PM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 8:53PM CDT until July 20 at 6:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
99°F
Albany, TX
204 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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
7h 21m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Waco Mammoth National Monument
National Monument
Standing as tall as 14 feet and weighing 20,000 pounds, Columbian mammoths roamed across what is present-day Texas thousands of years ago. Today, the fossil specimens represent the nation's first and...
28 mi from route
~69 min detour
Free
near mile 28.1
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is about 41% highway, meaning you'll encounter a mix of high-speed cruising and surface road driving. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 198.4 miles on Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway. You'll transition from highway driving to surface roads, so be prepared for changes in speed limits and traffic patterns. Expect some rural cruising and potentially more frequent stops or slower speeds once you're off the main highways.
41% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 198.4 mi on Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 47.1 miles in near I 35W.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 408 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 47.1 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 92.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 93.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
3,203 ft
495 ft
Total Climb
3,130 ft
Total Descent
451 ft
Highest Point
3,203 ft
~408 mi in
Elevation Range
2,708 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Mexia, TX
Full guide →Arriving 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
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 7h 21m. Total distance: 408 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 21m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 198.4 miles on Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 36 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 Lubbock, 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 36 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 47.1 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 92.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 93.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.4 hours each way, a round trip means 14.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Lubbock, 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, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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