This straightforward 178-mile drive from Pampa to Lubbock, Texas, is easily manageable in a single day, taking approximately 3 hours and 7 minutes. You'll primarily be on the Marshall Formby Memorial Highway and US Highway 60, with a portion on Canyon Expressway. The fuel cost is estimated at $27, making it an economical trip. Since both Pampa and Lubbock are located within the Great Plains region, expect a consistent landscape throughout your journey. This route offers a mixed drive profile, perfect for a quick hop between these two Texas cities.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
89 miles from Pampa, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 36m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Marshall Formby Memorial Highway
104.5 mi
1h 44m
US Highway 60
40.8 mi
41m
Canyon Expressway
13.2 mi
14m
East Amarillo Boulevard
6 mi
6m
I 40
4.3 mi
5m
Spur 326
2.8 mi
4m
North Lakeside Drive
1.8 mi
2m
East 2nd Avenue
1.2 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Marshall Formby Memorial Highway
— 104.5 mi, about 1h 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pampa, TX and Lubbock, TX.
1
Start on South Ballard Street
268 ft·10 sec·South Ballard Street
2
Turn right onto East Atchison Avenue
416 ft·17 sec·East Atchison Avenue
3
Turn left onto South Cuyler Street
0.2 mi·27 sec·South Cuyler Street
4
Turn right onto US 60; TX 152
0.8 mi·55 sec·West Brown Street
5
Continue on US 60; TX 152
0.6 mi·44 sec·West Wilks Street
6
Continue on US 60
12 mi·12 min·US Highway 60
7
Continue on US 60
1.2 mi·1 min·East 2nd Avenue
8
Continue on US 60
29 mi·29 min·US Highway 60
9
Continue on I 40 Business; US Historic 66; US 60
6.0 mi·6 min·East Amarillo Boulevard
10
Turn left
194 ft·5 sec
11
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
12
Merge onto Loop 335
1.8 mi·2 min·North Lakeside Drive
13
Take the exit
246 ft·6 sec
14
Turn slight right onto US 287 Hist
0.5 mi·56 sec·East Interstate Drive
15
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
16
Merge onto I 40; US 287
4.3 mi·5 min·I 40; US 287
17
Take the exit onto US 287
470 ft·8 sec·US 287
Exit 70Toward I 27 South, US 87, US 60, US 287 North: Canyon, Lubbock, Dumas, Pampa, Downtown
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 70Toward I 27 South, US 87 South, US 60 West: Canyon, LubbockUse the slight left lane.
19
Merge onto I 27; US 60; US 87
13 mi·14 min·Canyon Expressway
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 27
104 mi·1 hr 44 min·Marshall Formby Memorial Highway
21
Take the exit onto Spur 326
2.8 mi·4 min·Spur 326
Exit 536AToward Spur 326: Avenue Q
22
Turn left onto US 62; TX 114
33 ft·0 sec·19th Street
23
Arrive at destination
US 62; TX 114
Trip Plan
With a total duration of just over 3 hours, this 178-mile trip from Pampa to Lubbock is ideal for a single day. You can comfortably start your drive anytime, but an early departure will give you ample daylight for arrival. The $27 fuel cost is modest, so ensure your tank is full before leaving Pampa. Given the longest stretch is over 100 miles, plan for a single stop around the halfway point or upon reaching Canyon if you need to stretch your legs or grab a quick bite. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as services might be more spread out on US Highway 60.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 89 miles from Pampa, TX, or about 1h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 104.5 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 39 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 89 miles or 1h 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 33m
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 Pampa, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Pampa, TX
This is one driving day of about 178 miles and 3h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Pampa, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Marshall Formby Memorial Highway for about 104.5 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 175.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|East Atchison Avenue
Turn right onto East Atchison Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|South Cuyler Street
Turn left onto South Cuyler Street
Navigation decision point
6
56.9 mi into trip|~1h 2m in|US 287
Take the exit onto US 287 toward I 27 South, US 87, US 60, US 287 North: Canyon, Lubbock, Dumas, Pampa, Downtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 70
Toward I 27 South, US 87, US 60, US 287 North:...
9
57 mi into trip|~1h 2m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 27 South, US 87 South, US 60 West: Canyon, Lubbock
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 70
Toward I 27 South, US 87 South, US 60 West: Can...
5
175.2 mi into trip|~3h 3m in|Spur 326
Take the exit onto Spur 326 toward Spur 326: Avenue Q
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 536A
Toward Spur 326: Avenue Q
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.90 one way
$53.79 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg62 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$29.44
$58.88
premium
$4.54
$31.78
$63.56
diesel
$5.61
$39.30
$78.60
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
53.4
0
$18.69
$8.54
Efficient EV
44.5
0
$15.58
$7.12
EV Truck/SUV
71.2
0
$24.92
$11.39
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Pampa, TX
Late night
in Pampa on Sunday
Local time
2:32 AM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Lubbock, TX
Late night
in Lubbock on Sunday
Local time
2:32 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
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
5 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
3h 7m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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.
Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument
National Monument
13,000 years ago, Alibates Flint was used by mammoth hunters as a source of flint for tools. Learn how important this site was to the survival, commerce, and culture of the people of the High Plains.
22 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 36.8
Set within the wide‑open Texas Plains, Lake Meredith National Recreation Area offers a peaceful retreat in the heart of rugged grasslands. Over thousands of years, the Canadian River carved dramatic 2...
24 mi from route
~61 min detour
Free
near mile 36.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed drive on this 178-mile journey, with about 33% of the route utilizing highways. The Marshall Formby Memorial Highway will present the longest uninterrupted stretch, covering 104.5 miles, so settle in for a solid period of driving. While not a monotonous interstate experience, the road does feature some faster highway segments interspersed with other main roads. The character of the drive is generally practical, designed for efficient travel across the Texas Panhandle.
33% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 104.5 mi on Marshall Formby Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near East Atchison Avenue.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 178 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (East Atchison Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (South Cuyler Street): Navigation decision point; at 56.9 miles (US 287): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Pampa, TX and Lubbock, TX, road signs point toward Dumas and Downtown.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 7m. Total distance: 178 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 104.5 miles on Marshall Formby Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (East Atchison Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (South Cuyler Street): Navigation decision point; at 56.9 miles (US 287): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument and Lake Meredith National Recreation Area. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Lubbock, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
