Rest Area US-84 US-283
0 mi from route
Trip from Palacios, TX to Lubbock, 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 2m
Distance
535.2 mi
861 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$73
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
9h 53m
★
6 AM
10h 2m
8 AM
10h 20m
10 AM
10h 9m
12 PM
10h 7m
3 PM
10h 10m
5 PM
10h 19m
8 PM
9h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Palacios, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Lubbock, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Palacios, TX to Lubbock, TX is 535.2 miles and takes about 10h 2m via TX 71 and US 84, with a fuel budget near $78 and enough daylight to finish in a day if you start early. This route will take you across the Texas Great Plains, offering a long-haul experience that's primarily on main highways. Given its length, it's recommended to split this drive over two days to make it more comfortable. You'll be covering a significant distance across the state, so plan accordingly for fuel and rest 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
267.6 miles from Palacios, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 5h 14m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| TX 71 | 139.2 mi | 2h 46m |
| US 84 | 104.9 mi | 1h 49m |
| North US Highway 183 | 72.6 mi | 1h 18m |
| State Highway 153 | 69 mi | 1h 14m |
| East Commerce Street | 22 mi | 25m |
| Highway 84 | 20 mi | 19m |
| US 183 | 14.6 mi | 16m |
| 183A Toll | 14.6 mi | 14m |
Longest stretch:
TX 71
— 139.2 mi, about 2h 46m
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
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 Palacios, TX and Lubbock, TX.
1
Start on Ritchie Avenue
0.1 mi
·
39 sec
·
Ritchie Avenue
2
Turn left onto CR 304
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
4th Street
3
Turn right onto TX 35
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
Henderson Avenue
4
At end of road, turn left onto TX 35
12 mi
·
18 min
·
1st Street
5
Turn slight left onto TX 71
61 mi
·
1 hr 23 min
·
TX 71
6
Turn left onto TX 71
446 ft
·
8 sec
·
I-10 Service Road
7
Take the ramp onto TX 71
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
TX 71
8
Merge onto I 10; TX 71
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
I 10; TX 71
9
Take the exit onto TX 71
0.5 mi
·
33 sec
·
TX 71
Toward TX 71 West: La Grange, Austin
10
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 71
77 mi
·
1 hr 22 min
·
TX 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on 71 Toll
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Bastrop Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on TX 71
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
East State Highway 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 183 North, 183 Toll North: Lampasas
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto US 183
0.4 mi
·
26 sec
·
Bastrop Highway
15
Continue on 183 Toll
6.2 mi
·
6 min
·
Bergstrom Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on US 183
15 mi
·
16 min
·
US 183
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on 183A Toll
15 mi
·
14 min
·
183A Toll
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on US 183
36 mi
·
38 min
·
North US Highway 183
19
Continue on US 183
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
South Key Avenue
20
Continue on US 183; US 190; US 281
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
·
North US Highway 281
21
Keep slight left at fork onto US 183; US 190
37 mi
·
40 min
·
North US Highway 183
22
At end of road, turn left onto US 84; US 183; TX 16
30 mi
·
34 min
·
US 84; US 183; TX 16
23
Turn left onto US 67; US 84; US 183; US 377
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Early Boulevard
24
Continue on US 67; US 84; US 377
22 mi
·
25 min
·
East Commerce Street
25
Keep slight right at fork onto US 84; US 283
7.2 mi
·
8 min
·
Wallis Avenue
26
Turn right onto TX 153
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
East Walnut Street
27
Continue on TX 153; TX 206
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
West Walnut Street
28
Continue on TX 153
69 mi
·
1 hr 14 min
·
State Highway 153
29
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 153
19 ft
·
0 sec
·
State Highway 153
30
Turn right onto TX 70
10 mi
·
10 min
·
State Highway 70
31
Continue on TX 70
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Lamar Street
32
Turn left onto Northwest Georgia Avenue
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
Northwest Georgia Avenue
33
Take the ramp
340 ft
·
8 sec
Toward I 20 West: Midland
34
Merge onto I 20; US 84
6.0 mi
·
5 min
·
I 20; US 84
35
Take the exit onto US 84
0.3 mi
·
19 sec
·
US 84
Exit 238A
Toward US 84 West: Snyder, Lubbock
36
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84
74 mi
·
1 hr 14 min
·
US 84
37
Turn right onto Loop 46
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Avenue F
38
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 207
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
North Avenue F
39
Turn straight onto TX 207
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
·
Ralls Road
40
Turn left onto Spur 575
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
East 15th Street
41
Turn right onto US 84
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North US Highway 84
42
Continue on US 84
20 mi
·
19 min
·
Highway 84
43
Continue on US 84
4.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Trooper Jerry Don Davis Memorial Highway
44
Continue on US 84
6.8 mi
·
6 min
·
East Highway 84
45
Continue on US 84
4.9 mi
·
6 min
·
Slaton Road
46
Continue on US 84
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Avenue Q South Drive
47
Turn right onto US 62; TX 114
33 ft
·
0 sec
·
19th Street
48
Arrive at destination
US 62; TX 114
Trip Plan
For this 10-hour drive, consider departing early in the morning to maximize daylight, especially if you plan to complete it in one day. However, with a recommended two-day split, you can leave mid-morning on your first day. The longest stretch without a significant road change is 139.2 miles on TX 71, so be sure to fuel up before you begin that segment. With two recommended stops, you'll have opportunities to rest and refuel along the way. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as services can be spread out in some of the more rural sections.
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 267.6 miles from Palacios, TX, or about 5h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 139.2 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 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 267.6 miles or 5h 14m 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 267.6 miles or 5h 14m
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 58m
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 Palacios, 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 Palacios, TX
Aim for roughly 268 miles and 5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Lubbock, TX
Aim for roughly 268 miles and 5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 118 miles from Palacios, 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 TX 71 for about 139.2 miles.
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
353 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 Brownwood, TXOvernight Options
Night 1
268 mi · about 5h in
A practical overnight split lands near Kempner, TX after about 268 miles or 5 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 118 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 267.6 miles from Palacios, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before TX 71 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 139.2 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 268 miles or 5 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
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
Buc-ee's
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
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
Friendship Park
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
El Campo, Texas
Hours: 6 am–10 pm
+19795415000
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 websiteEl Campo Lost Lagoon
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the start, short detour
First break
1.7 mi from route
~4 min detour
El Campo, Texas
+19792751600
Visit websiteLegacy Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
2.1 mi from route
~5 min detour
El Campo, Texas
Hours: 8 am–10 pm
Zlotnik Park at Legacy Fields
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
2.1 mi from route
~5 min detour
El Campo, Texas
Visit websiteThe Martin & Frances Lehnis Railroad Museum
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour
Halfway reset
3.6 mi from route
~9 min detour
Brownwood, Texas
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+13256436376
Visit websiteBrown County Museum of History
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour
Halfway reset
3.4 mi from route
~9 min 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 275 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 418.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.8 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
TX 35 / 1st Street
At end of road, turn left onto TX 35 / 1st Street
Navigation decision point
5
76.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 46m in
|
TX 71
Take the exit onto TX 71 toward TX 71 West: La Grange, Austin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward TX 71 West: La Grange, Austin
6
76.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 46m 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
158 mi into trip
|
~3h 13m 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
418.9 mi into trip
|
~8h 2m 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
$73.31 one way
$146.61 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
187 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $81.88 | $163.76 |
| premium | $4.23 | $89.02 | $178.05 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $101.06 | $202.11 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$73
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$203–$313
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 187.3 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 | 160.6 | 1 | $56.20 | $25.69 |
| Efficient EV | 133.8 | 1 | $46.83 | $21.41 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 214.1 | 2 | $74.93 | $34.25 |
Gas CO2
187 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
Palacios, TX
Morning in Palacios on Monday
Local time
9:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 15 mph
29% 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
Lubbock, TX
Morning in Lubbock on Monday
Local time
9:15 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
91°F
Brownwood, TX
353 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
8 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
10h 2m 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?
This trip is largely highway driving, with 85% of the route on main roads like TX 71 and US 84. You'll encounter the longest stretch without a major road change of 139.2 miles on TX 71. After the highway portions conclude, you'll transition to surface roads for the remainder of the 535.2-mile drive. Expect a good amount of rural cruising, typical of cross-state Texas travel.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
48 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 139.2 mi on TX 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on TX 71 and US 84. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in near TX 35 / 1st Street.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 27 significant decision points across 535.2 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 0.8 miles (TX 35 / 1st Street): Navigation decision point; at 76.3 miles (TX 71): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 76.8 miles (TX 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
3,203 ft
13 ft
Total Climb
3,209 ft
Total Descent
19 ft
Highest Point
3,203 ft
~535.2 mi in
Elevation Range
3,189 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 Palacios, TX and Lubbock, TX, road signs point toward Austin and 183 Toll North: Lampasas.
Austin
76.3 mi in
|
~1h 46m
|
via TX 71
183 Toll North: Lampasas
158 mi in
|
~3h 13m
About the Cities
Starting in Palacios, TX
Full guide →Founded 1903
Palacios is a city of 4,400 people (2020) on Matagorda Bay in the Gulf Coast region of Texas, 1½-2 hours southwest of Houston. It is especially noted for birding opportunities.
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).
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 139.2 miles on TX 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.
Yes — we found about 15 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 15 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles (TX 35 / 1st Street): Navigation decision point; at 76.3 miles (TX 71): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 76.8 miles (TX 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 10.0 hours each way, a round trip means 20.1 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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