Llano Estacado Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Mineola, TX to Lubbock, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 23, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 28m
Distance
426.1 mi
686 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$64
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 18m
★
6 AM
7h 28m
8 AM
7h 48m
10 AM
7h 35m
12 PM
7h 33m
3 PM
7h 36m
5 PM
7h 47m
8 PM
7h 22m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Mineola, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Lubbock, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Mineola, TX to Lubbock, TX is 426.1 miles and takes about 7h 28m via Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway and US 84, with a fuel budget near $62 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route takes you across the wide-open spaces of the Texas Great Plains, offering a straightforward traverse through the state. Expect a mix of highway cruising and surface roads, making it a manageable one-day drive. Plan for about two stops along the way to break up the nearly 426 miles. Given the duration and distance, it's a solid option if you're looking to cover ground efficiently within Texas.
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
213.1 miles from Mineola, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 49m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway | 219.1 mi | 3h 43m |
| US 84 | 74.5 mi | 1h 14m |
| Lyndon B Johnson Freeway | 22 mi | 23m |
| Highway 84 | 20 mi | 19m |
| I 20 | 18 mi | 19m |
| East South Commerce Street | 17.7 mi | 20m |
| East Broad Street | 13.9 mi | 16m |
| West Frank Street | 9 mi | 10m |
Longest stretch:
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
— 219.1 mi, about 3h 43m
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 84 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,898 veh/hr typical · worst 2,409
Quietest
2 AM
~237 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 105 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 Mineola, TX and Lubbock, TX.
1
Start on US 69
58 ft
·
8 sec
·
South Pacific Street
2
Turn left onto US 80
14 mi
·
16 min
·
East Broad Street
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on US 80
9.0 mi
·
10 min
·
West Frank Street
4
Continue on US 80
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
East Pine Street
5
Continue on US 80
6.1 mi
·
6 min
·
Goodnight Boulevard
6
Continue on US 80
0.5 mi
·
33 sec
·
Houston Street
7
Continue on US 80
18 mi
·
20 min
·
East South Commerce Street
8
Turn left onto FM 148
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
FM 148
9
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
Toward I 20 West: Dallas
10
Merge onto I 20
18 mi
·
19 min
·
I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 20
22 mi
·
23 min
·
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 20
25 mi
·
26 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
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.
14
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.
15
Take the exit onto US 84
0.3 mi
·
19 sec
·
US 84
Exit 238A
Toward US 84 West: Snyder, Lubbock
16
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84
74 mi
·
1 hr 14 min
·
US 84
17
Turn right onto Loop 46
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Avenue F
18
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 207
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
North Avenue F
19
Turn straight onto TX 207
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
·
Ralls Road
20
Turn left onto Spur 575
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
East 15th Street
21
Turn right onto US 84
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North US Highway 84
22
Continue on US 84
20 mi
·
19 min
·
Highway 84
23
Continue on US 84
4.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Trooper Jerry Don Davis Memorial Highway
24
Continue on US 84
6.8 mi
·
6 min
·
East Highway 84
25
Continue on US 84
4.9 mi
·
6 min
·
Slaton Road
26
Continue on US 84
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Avenue Q South Drive
27
Turn right onto US 62; TX 114
33 ft
·
0 sec
·
19th Street
28
Arrive at destination
US 62; TX 114
Trip Plan
Starting your drive from Mineola in the morning will give you ample daylight to reach Lubbock, as the trip takes around 7.5 hours. With two planned stops, you can easily break up the 426.1 miles into manageable segments. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you move onto US 84, and utilize the provided fuel cost estimate of $62 to budget accordingly. The longest stretch without a major road change is over 200 miles, so ensure you're comfortable with extended driving periods before setting off. A mid-morning departure allows for a relaxed start and an evening arrival in Lubbock.
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 213.1 miles from Mineola, TX, or about 3h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 219.1 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 94 miles or 1h 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 213.1 miles or 3h 49m 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 24m
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 Mineola, 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 Mineola, TX
This is one driving day of about 426.1 miles and 7h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 94 miles from Mineola, 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 219.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
213 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 94 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 213.1 miles from Mineola, 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 219.1 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
Service Plaza
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
TA
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
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
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
TA
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
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.4 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
1.3 mi from route
Rest Area
2.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
2.2 mi from route
Mackenzie 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 websitePlay Street Museum - Fort Worth
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, ~12 min detour
Early stretch
4.9 mi from route
~12 min detour
Fort Worth, Texas
Hours: 8:30 am–8 pm
+18179302577
Visit websiteWhite Settlement Museum
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, ~12 min detour
Early stretch
4.9 mi from route
~12 min detour
White Settlement, Texas
Hours: 10 am–3 pm
+18172469719
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 309.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 80 / East Broad Street
Turn left onto US 80 / East Broad Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
50.8 mi into trip
|
~1h in
|
I 20
Merge onto I 20
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
115.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 10m 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
119.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 14m 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
6
309.9 mi into trip
|
~5h 27m in
|
US 84
Take the exit onto US 84 toward US 84 West: Snyder, Lubbock
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 238A
Toward US 84 West: Snyder, Lubbock
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$63.97 one way
$127.93 round trip
$3.81/gal
25.4 MPG avg
149 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $70.78 | $141.55 |
| premium | $4.57 | $76.58 | $153.16 |
| diesel | $6.28 | $105.28 | $210.57 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$64
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$89–$114
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 149.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $45 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 127.8 | 1 | $44.74 | $20.45 |
| Efficient EV | 106.5 | 1 | $37.28 | $17.04 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 170.4 | 2 | $59.65 | $27.27 |
Gas CO2
149 kg
EV CO2
50 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
Mineola, TX
Night in Mineola on Thursday
Local time
11:09 PM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Partly Cloudy
0 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Lubbock, TX
Night in Lubbock on Thursday
Local time
11:09 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Mostly Clear
S 5 mph
0% chance
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.
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
2 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
7h 28m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive features 34% highway driving, with the longest continuous stretch of highway covering 219.1 miles on the Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway. You'll transition from highway speeds to surface roads as you progress, so be prepared for changes in traffic patterns and speed limits. The shift from the Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway to US 84 will likely involve more local traffic and intersections. Expect a mixed driving experience with both efficient highway travel and more leisurely surface road cruising.
34% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 219.1 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 early in the drive near US 80 / East Broad Street.
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 14 significant decision points across 426.1 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: near the start (US 80 / East Broad Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 50.8 miles (I 20): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 115.7 miles (I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
3,203 ft
415 ft
Total Climb
3,121 ft
Total Descent
332 ft
Highest Point
3,203 ft
~426.1 mi in
Elevation Range
2,788 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Mineola, TX
Full guide →Founded 1877
Top landmarks
- • Mineola Downtown Historic District — historic district in Mineola, Wood County, Texas
- • Howard L. and Vivian W. Lott House — historic place in Mineola, Wood County, Texas
Arriving in Lubbock, TX
Full guide →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 28m. Total distance: 426.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 28m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 219.1 miles on Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 40 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 40 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 80 / East Broad Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 50.8 miles (I 20): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 115.7 miles (I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.5 hours each way, a round trip means 14.9 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, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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