Smithville, TX to Lubbock, TX is 413.9 miles and takes about 7h 31m via US 84, with a fuel budget near $60 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Texas, traversing the Great Plains region for its entirety. You'll find this to be a straightforward, mostly highway drive, ideal if you're looking for a direct path across the state without many detours. Consider this trip if you prefer efficient travel and don't need extensive stops along the way.
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
207 miles from Smithville, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 52m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
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
TX 21
17.1 mi
19m
US 183
14.6 mi
16m
183A Toll
14.6 mi
14m
Longest stretch:
US 84
— 104.9 mi, about 1h 49m
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
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 Smithville, TX and Lubbock, TX.
1
Start on Main Street
43 ft·5 sec·Main Street
2
Turn right onto Loop 230
0.2 mi·24 sec·3rd Street
3
Turn right onto TX 95; Loop 230
0.2 mi·19 sec·Royston Street
4
Continue on TX 95; Loop 230
1.6 mi·2 min·TX 95; Loop 230
5
Take the ramp onto TX 95
13 mi·14 min·TX 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on TX 71; TX 21
0.7 mi·49 sec·TX 71; TX 21
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on TX 21; TX 71
17 mi·19 min·TX 21; TX 71
8
Continue on 71 Toll
1.9 mi·2 min·Bastrop Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on TX 71
2.2 mi·2 min·East State Highway 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward US 183 North, 183 Toll North: LampasasUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto US 183
0.4 mi·26 sec·Bastrop Highway
12
Continue on 183 Toll
6.2 mi·6 min·Bergstrom Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on US 183
15 mi·16 min·US 183
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on 183A Toll
15 mi·14 min·183A Toll
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on US 183
36 mi·38 min·North US Highway 183
16
Continue on US 183
2.3 mi·4 min·South Key Avenue
17
Continue on US 183; US 190; US 281
0.2 mi·14 sec·North US Highway 281
18
Keep slight left at fork onto US 183; US 190
37 mi·40 min·North US Highway 183
19
At end of road, turn left onto US 84; US 183; TX 16
30 mi·34 min·US 84; US 183; TX 16
20
Turn left onto US 67; US 84; US 183; US 377
1.7 mi·2 min·Early Boulevard
21
Continue on US 67; US 84; US 377
22 mi·25 min·East Commerce Street
22
Keep slight right at fork onto US 84; US 283
7.2 mi·8 min·Wallis Avenue
23
Turn right onto TX 153
0.9 mi·1 min·East Walnut Street
24
Continue on TX 153; TX 206
1.0 mi·1 min·West Walnut Street
25
Continue on TX 153
69 mi·1 hr 14 min·State Highway 153
26
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 153
19 ft·0 sec·State Highway 153
27
Turn right onto TX 70
10 mi·10 min·State Highway 70
28
Continue on TX 70
0.8 mi·1 min·Lamar Street
29
Turn left onto Northwest Georgia Avenue
0.1 mi·16 sec·Northwest Georgia Avenue
30
Take the ramp
340 ft·8 sec
Toward I 20 West: Midland
31
Merge onto I 20; US 84
6.0 mi·5 min·I 20; US 84
32
Take the exit onto US 84
0.3 mi·19 sec·US 84
Exit 238AToward US 84 West: Snyder, Lubbock
33
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84
74 mi·1 hr 14 min·US 84
34
Turn right onto Loop 46
1.0 mi·1 min·South Avenue F
35
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 207
0.1 mi·10 sec·North Avenue F
36
Turn straight onto TX 207
0.4 mi·38 sec·Ralls Road
37
Turn left onto Spur 575
0.1 mi·17 sec·East 15th Street
38
Turn right onto US 84
1.0 mi·1 min·North US Highway 84
39
Continue on US 84
20 mi·19 min·Highway 84
40
Continue on US 84
4.6 mi·4 min·Trooper Jerry Don Davis Memorial Highway
41
Continue on US 84
6.8 mi·6 min·East Highway 84
42
Continue on US 84
4.9 mi·6 min·Slaton Road
43
Continue on US 84
2.9 mi·3 min·Avenue Q South Drive
44
Turn right onto US 62; TX 114
33 ft·0 sec·19th Street
45
Arrive at destination
US 62; TX 114
Trip Plan
Given the 7.5-hour drive time, starting early from Smithville is your best bet to make it to Lubbock before dark. With only two recommended stops, you can be strategic about where you refuel or take a break. You'll cover 413.9 miles, so plan your fuel stops accordingly, especially since the longest stretch without a town is over 100 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the longer segments on US 84. The $60 fuel budget should be sufficient for most vehicles on this trip.
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 207 miles from Smithville, TX, or about 3h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 104.9 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 91 miles or 1h 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 207 miles or 3h 52m 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 27m
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 Smithville, 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 Smithville, TX
This is one driving day of about 413.9 miles and 7h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 91 miles from Smithville, 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 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 297.7 — 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|Loop 230 / 3rd Street
Turn right onto Loop 230 / 3rd Street
Navigation decision point
5
2 mi into trip|~3m in|TX 95
Take the ramp onto TX 95
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
36.8 mi into trip|~42m 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
4
111.2 mi into trip|~2h 4m in|US 183; US 190 / North US Highway 183
Keep slight left at fork onto US 183; US 190 / North US Highway 183
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
297.7 mi into trip|~5h 30m 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
$56.69 one way
$113.38 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg145 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$63.32
$126.65
premium
$4.23
$68.85
$137.70
diesel
$4.80
$78.15
$156.30
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$57
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$82–$107
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 144.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $43 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
124.2
1
$43.46
$19.87
Efficient EV
103.5
1
$36.22
$16.56
EV Truck/SUV
165.6
2
$57.95
$26.49
Gas CO2
145 kg
EV CO2
48 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 17, 2026
Origin
Smithville, TX
Late night
in Smithville on Monday
Local time
4:04 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 5 mph21% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 9:03PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 9:03PM CDT until July 17 at 4:46PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Lubbock, TX
Late night
in Lubbock on Monday
Local time
4:04 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSE 10 mph23% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 9:03PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 9:03PM CDT until July 17 at 4:46PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
91°F
Brownwood, TX
207 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
9 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
7h 31m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 84% highway, so expect a lot of time on high-speed roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 104.9 miles on US 84. You'll transition from highway driving to surface roads as you get closer to your destination. Be prepared for a significant amount of rural cruising.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
45 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?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 84 and North US Highway 183. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Loop 230 / 3rd Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 413.9 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 (Loop 230 / 3rd Street): Navigation decision point; at 2 miles (TX 95): Lane positioning matters here; at 36.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
3,203 ft327 ft
Total Climb
3,149 ft
Total Descent
273 ft
Highest Point
3,203 ft
~413.9 mi in
Elevation Range
2,876 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Smithville, TX to Lubbock, TX, road signs begin pointing toward 183 Toll North: Lampasas along the way.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 31m. Total distance: 413.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 31m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 104.9 miles on US 84. 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Loop 230 / 3rd Street): Navigation decision point; at 2 miles (TX 95): Lane positioning matters here; at 36.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.5 hours each way, a round trip means 15.0 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.
