Missouri City, TX to Lubbock, TX is 534 miles and takes about 9h 39m via US 84, TX 71, and US 183, with a fuel budget near $78 and an overnight stay recommended. This route will take you from the Great Plains region of Texas to another part of the Great Plains, covering a significant distance across the state. Given the 9.5-hour estimated drive time, it's best to plan for two days on the road. This is a long-haul trip that requires some endurance, so get ready for a substantial amount of driving.
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
267 miles from Missouri City, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 52m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 84
104.9 mi
1h 49m
TX 71
77.7 mi
1h 22m
North US Highway 183
72.6 mi
1h 18m
State Highway 153
69 mi
1h 14m
Katy Freeway
60.9 mi
1h 4m
East Commerce Street
22 mi
25m
Highway 84
20 mi
19m
US 183
14.6 mi
16m
Longest stretch:
US 84
— 104.9 mi, about 1h 49m
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 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
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Missouri City, TX and Lubbock, TX.
1
Start on this road
33 ft·2 sec·this road
2
Turn right
0.4 mi·39 sec
3
Merge onto US 90 Alt
0.6 mi·49 sec·Main Street
4
Take the exit
0.4 mi·46 sec
Toward Beltway 8, Sam Houston Tollway
5
Turn left
127 ft·5 sec
Use the left lane.
6
Turn left onto BW 8
0.5 mi·56 sec·South Sam Houston Parkway West
7
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·55 sec
Toward SHT Toll North
8
Merge onto SHT
1.7 mi·1 min·South Sam Houston Tollway West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on BW 8
1.9 mi·2 min·South Sam Houston Parkway West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on SHT
7.0 mi·7 min·West Sam Houston Tollway South
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 10 West, I 10 East: San Antonio, DowntownUse the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·2 min
Toward I 10 West: San AntonioUse the slight left lane.
13
Merge onto I 10; US 90
61 mi·1 hr 4 min·Katy Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit onto TX 71
0.5 mi·33 sec·TX 71
Toward TX 71 West: La Grange, Austin
15
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 71
77 mi·1 hr 22 min·TX 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on 71 Toll
1.9 mi·2 min·Bastrop Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on TX 71
2.2 mi·2 min·East State Highway 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward US 183 North, 183 Toll North: LampasasUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto US 183
0.4 mi·26 sec·Bastrop Highway
20
Continue on 183 Toll
6.2 mi·6 min·Bergstrom Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on US 183
15 mi·16 min·US 183
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on 183A Toll
15 mi·14 min·183A Toll
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on US 183
36 mi·38 min·North US Highway 183
24
Continue on US 183
2.3 mi·4 min·South Key Avenue
25
Continue on US 183; US 190; US 281
0.2 mi·14 sec·North US Highway 281
26
Keep slight left at fork onto US 183; US 190
37 mi·40 min·North US Highway 183
27
At end of road, turn left onto US 84; US 183; TX 16
30 mi·34 min·US 84; US 183; TX 16
28
Turn left onto US 67; US 84; US 183; US 377
1.7 mi·2 min·Early Boulevard
29
Continue on US 67; US 84; US 377
22 mi·25 min·East Commerce Street
30
Keep slight right at fork onto US 84; US 283
7.2 mi·8 min·Wallis Avenue
31
Turn right onto TX 153
0.9 mi·1 min·East Walnut Street
32
Continue on TX 153; TX 206
1.0 mi·1 min·West Walnut Street
33
Continue on TX 153
69 mi·1 hr 14 min·State Highway 153
34
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 153
19 ft·0 sec·State Highway 153
35
Turn right onto TX 70
10 mi·10 min·State Highway 70
36
Continue on TX 70
0.8 mi·1 min·Lamar Street
37
Turn left onto Northwest Georgia Avenue
0.1 mi·16 sec·Northwest Georgia Avenue
38
Take the ramp
340 ft·8 sec
Toward I 20 West: Midland
39
Merge onto I 20; US 84
6.0 mi·5 min·I 20; US 84
40
Take the exit onto US 84
0.3 mi·19 sec·US 84
Exit 238AToward US 84 West: Snyder, Lubbock
41
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84
74 mi·1 hr 14 min·US 84
42
Turn right onto Loop 46
1.0 mi·1 min·South Avenue F
43
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 207
0.1 mi·10 sec·North Avenue F
44
Turn straight onto TX 207
0.4 mi·38 sec·Ralls Road
45
Turn left onto Spur 575
0.1 mi·17 sec·East 15th Street
46
Turn right onto US 84
1.0 mi·1 min·North US Highway 84
47
Continue on US 84
20 mi·19 min·Highway 84
48
Continue on US 84
4.6 mi·4 min·Trooper Jerry Don Davis Memorial Highway
49
Continue on US 84
6.8 mi·6 min·East Highway 84
50
Continue on US 84
4.9 mi·6 min·Slaton Road
51
Continue on US 84
2.9 mi·3 min·Avenue Q South Drive
52
Turn right onto US 62; TX 114
33 ft·0 sec·19th Street
53
Arrive at destination
US 62; TX 114
Trip Plan
For this 9.5-hour drive, breaking it up over two days is highly recommended. Aim to depart early on your first day to cover about half the distance, allowing for a relaxed evening. You'll have about 2 stops planned, so use them strategically to stretch and refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 104.9-mile stretch on US 84, as services can be spread out in some sections. It's wise to top off your tank before entering longer stretches of less populated areas.
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 267 miles from Missouri City, TX, or about 4h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 104.9 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 117 miles or 2h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 267 miles or 4h 52m 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 267 miles or 4h 52m
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 Lubbock, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Missouri City, 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 Missouri City, TX
Aim for roughly 267 miles and 4.8 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Lubbock, TX
Aim for roughly 267 miles and 4.8 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 117 miles from Missouri City, 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 104.9 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 31
5 decision points cluster between mile 12.8 and 417.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
12.8 mi into trip|~16m in
Take the exit toward I 10 West, I 10 East: San Antonio, Downtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 10 West, I 10 East: San Antonio, Downt...
7
13.2 mi into trip|~17m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 10 West: San Antonio
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 10 West: San Antonio
6
75.6 mi into trip|~1h 24m in|TX 71
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 71
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
156.8 mi into trip|~2h 50m in
Take the exit toward US 183 North, 183 Toll North: Lampasas
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 183 North, 183 Toll North: Lampasas
6
417.7 mi into trip|~7h 39m 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
$73.14 one way
$146.28 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg187 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$81.70
$163.40
premium
$4.23
$88.82
$177.65
diesel
$4.80
$100.83
$201.66
Estimated Tolls: $0.70
Sam Houston Tollway
(8.7 mi)$0.70
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
$73
Tolls
$1
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$204–$314
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 186.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $56 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
160.2
1
$56.07
$25.63
Efficient EV
133.5
1
$46.73
$21.36
EV Truck/SUV
213.6
2
$74.76
$34.18
Gas CO2
187 kg
EV CO2
62 kg (67% 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
Missouri City, TX
Afternoon
in Missouri City on Sunday
Local time
2:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 10 mph19% chanceLive 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
Lubbock, TX
Afternoon
in Lubbock on Sunday
Local time
2:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 10 mph24% chanceLive 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
94°F
Brownwood, TX
352 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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
9h 39m 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?
You'll spend 86% of this 534-mile drive on highways, meaning most of your time will be spent cruising. The longest continuous stretch without a significant break is 104.9 miles on US 84. Expect a mix of rural cruising and potentially more developed areas as you transition between highways. You'll notice the highway eventually giving way to surface roads as you approach your destination.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
53 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 104.9 mi on US 84.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 84 and TX 71. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 12.8 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 31 significant decision points across 534 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 12.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 75.6 miles (TX 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
3,203 ft75 ft
Total Climb
3,153 ft
Total Descent
26 ft
Highest Point
3,203 ft
~534 mi in
Elevation Range
3,128 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Missouri City, TX and Lubbock, TX, road signs point toward Austin and 183 Toll North: Lampasas.
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
The longest stretch is about 104.9 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 267 miles on day one.
Expect about $0.70 in tolls one way, starting with Sam Houston Tollway. 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.
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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 12.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 75.6 miles (TX 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 9.7 hours each way, a round trip means 19.3 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.
