Llano Estacado Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Richardson, 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
6h 10m
Distance
357.6 mi
575 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$49
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 58m
★
6 AM
6h 10m
8 AM
6h 36m
10 AM
6h 19m
12 PM
6h 17m
3 PM
6h 21m
5 PM
6h 35m
8 PM
6h 3m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Richardson, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Lubbock, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 347.5-mile journey from Richardson, TX to Lubbock, TX takes approximately 5 hours and 17 minutes, making it a feasible one-day road trip. With an estimated fuel cost of $53, it's an economical option for exploring the Great Plains. The route primarily utilizes local roads, characterized by frequent turns rather than sustained highway driving. While it's a single-day drive, plan for a leisurely pace due to the 'turn-heavy' nature of the route, and consider one planned stop to break up the journey. You'll remain within Texas for the entirety of this drive.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
178.8 miles from Richardson, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 6m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 20 | 182.3 mi | 3h 4m |
| US 84 | 74.5 mi | 1h 14m |
| Highway 84 | 20 mi | 19m |
| SH 183 TEXpress | 13.6 mi | 13m |
| Jim Wright Freeway | 12.8 mi | 14m |
| I 820 TEXpress | 6.9 mi | 6m |
| East Highway 84 | 6.8 mi | 6m |
| West Freeway | 6 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 182.3 mi, about 3h 4m
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 56 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 Richardson, TX and Lubbock, TX.
1
Start on this road
99 ft
·
13 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto East Main Street
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
East Main Street
3
Continue on West Main Street
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
·
West Main Street
4
Turn left onto South Central Expressway
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South Central Expressway
Use the straight / left lanes.
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward US 75 South
6
Merge onto US 75
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
South Central Expressway
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 21
Toward I 635
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi
·
55 sec
Toward I 635 West
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 635
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 635
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 27C
Toward I 35E South: Dallas
Use the left / straight lanes.
12
Merge onto I 35E
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
South Stemmons Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto North Walton Walker Boulevard
0.6 mi
·
39 sec
·
North Walton Walker Boulevard
Exit 436A
Toward Loop 12 South: Irving, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport
14
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Use the slight right lane.
15
Merge onto Loop 12 TEXpress
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Loop 12 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto TX 183 TEXpress
13 mi
·
13 min
·
SH 183 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on TX 121 TEXpress; TX 183 TEXpress
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
SH 121/183 TEXpress
18
Continue on TX 183 TEXpress
0.1 mi
·
7 sec
·
SH 183 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on TX 121 TEXpress; TX 183 TEXpress
0.7 mi
·
42 sec
·
SH 121/183 TEXpress
20
Continue on I 820 TEXpress
6.9 mi
·
6 min
·
I 820 TEXpress
Toward I 820 Express West Toll
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Merge onto I 820
0.4 mi
·
24 sec
·
Northeast Loop
22
Continue on I 820
13 mi
·
14 min
·
Jim Wright Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
1 min
Exit 3A
Toward I 30 West: Weatherford
Use the slight right lane.
24
Merge onto I 30
6.0 mi
·
6 min
·
West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Merge onto I 20
182 mi
·
3 hr 4 min
·
I 20
Use the slight right lane.
26
Take the exit onto US 84
0.3 mi
·
19 sec
·
US 84
Exit 238A
Toward US 84 West: Snyder, Lubbock
27
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84
74 mi
·
1 hr 14 min
·
US 84
28
Turn right onto Loop 46
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Avenue F
29
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 207
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
North Avenue F
30
Turn straight onto TX 207
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
·
Ralls Road
31
Turn left onto Spur 575
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
East 15th Street
32
Turn right onto US 84
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North US Highway 84
33
Continue on US 84
20 mi
·
19 min
·
Highway 84
34
Continue on US 84
4.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Trooper Jerry Don Davis Memorial Highway
35
Continue on US 84
6.8 mi
·
6 min
·
East Highway 84
36
Continue on US 84
4.9 mi
·
6 min
·
Slaton Road
37
Continue on US 84
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Avenue Q South Drive
38
Turn right onto US 62; TX 114
33 ft
·
0 sec
·
19th Street
39
Arrive at destination
US 62; TX 114
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour and 17-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Richardson, TX to maximize daylight and allow ample time for your single planned stop. Given the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, keeping your navigation system charged and easily accessible is crucial to avoid getting sidetracked. The $53 fuel cost is an estimate, so it's wise to top off your tank before leaving Richardson. Since this is a one-day trip, you have flexibility, but be mindful of the frequent turns which can extend your actual travel time beyond the stated duration.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 178.8 miles from Richardson, TX, or about 3h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 182.3 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 79 miles or 1h 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 178.8 miles or 3h 6m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 6m
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 Richardson, 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 Richardson, TX
This is one driving day of about 357.6 miles and 6h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 79 miles from Richardson, 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 I 20 for about 182.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
179 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 79 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 178.8 miles from Richardson, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 182.3 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
Service Plaza
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
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
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
Flying J Travel Center
1.3 mi from route
QuikTrip
1.9 mi from route
Mr. Fuel Travel Center
2.4 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 websiteWhite Settlement Museum
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, right off the route
First break
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
White Settlement, Texas
Hours: 10 am–3 pm
+18172469719
Visit websiteDark Hour Haunted House
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~11 min detour
4.5 mi from route
~11 min detour
Plano, Texas
+14692980556
Visit website11th Hour Escape
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~11 min detour
4.3 mi from route
~11 min detour
Plano, Texas
Hours: 12–5:30 pm
+14692095978
Visit websiteHeritage Farmstead Museum
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~12 min detour
4.9 mi from route
~12 min detour
Plano, Texas
Hours: Closed
+19728810140
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 255 decision points cluster between mile 2.4 and 52.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
2.4 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Take the exit toward I 635
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 21
Toward I 635
7
2.6 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 635 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 635 West
7
10.7 mi into trip
|
~13m in
Take the exit toward I 35E South: Dallas
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
Exit 27C
Toward I 35E South: Dallas
7
13.3 mi into trip
|
~16m in
|
North Walton Walker Boulevard
Keep slight right at fork onto North Walton Walker Boulevard toward Loop 12 South: Irving, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 436A
Toward Loop 12 South: Irving, Dallas Fort Worth...
7
52.7 mi into trip
|
~58m in
Take the exit toward I 30 West: Weatherford
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 3A
Toward I 30 West: Weatherford
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.98 one way
$97.96 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
125 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $54.71 | $109.42 |
| premium | $4.23 | $59.48 | $118.97 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $67.52 | $135.04 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.14
Central Expressway
(1.8 mi)
$0.14
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
$49
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 125.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 107.3 | 1 | $37.55 | $17.16 |
| Efficient EV | 89.4 | 1 | $31.29 | $14.30 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 143 | 1 | $50.06 | $22.89 |
Gas CO2
125 kg
EV CO2
42 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
Richardson, TX
Late night in Richardson on Monday
Local time
2:32 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Partly Cloudy
S 5 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 10:40PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 10:31PM CDT until July 18 at 11:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Destination
Lubbock, TX
Late night in Lubbock on Monday
Local time
2:32 AM
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 10:40PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 10:31PM CDT until July 18 at 11:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
99°F
Albany, TX
179 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
11 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
6h 10m 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?
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for this 347.5-mile trip, with a 0% highway share. This means you'll be navigating a series of local streets like East Main Street and West Main Street, along with South Central Expressway, rather than cruising on interstates. The profile suggests a dynamic driving experience with frequent changes in direction, so staying attentive to navigation will be key. Without long highway stretches, the longest uninterrupted drive segment isn't a primary concern, but the constant need for adjustments will define the character of your time behind the wheel.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
39 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 182.3 mi on I 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and US 84. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.4 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 25 significant decision points across 357.6 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 2.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
3,203 ft
577 ft
Total Climb
3,053 ft
Total Descent
479 ft
Highest Point
3,203 ft
~357.6 mi in
Elevation Range
2,625 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Richardson, TX
Full guide →Founded 1840
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 6h 10m. Total distance: 357.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 10m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 182.3 miles on I 20. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.14 in tolls one way, starting with Central Expressway. 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.
Yes — we found about 33 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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 33 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.2 hours each way, a round trip means 12.3 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.
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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