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Trip from South Houston, TX to Lubbock, TX

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

9h 52m

Distance

545.2 mi

877 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$82

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 26 min
4 AM
9h 44m ★
6 AM
9h 53m
8 AM
10h 10m
10 AM
9h 59m
12 PM
9h 57m
3 PM
10h 0m
5 PM
10h 10m
8 PM
9h 47m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Harris County, Texas, United States

South Houston, TX

Wikimedia Commons

county seat of Lubbock County, Texas, United States

Lubbock, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 545-mile journey from South Houston, TX, to Lubbock, TX, will take approximately 9 hours and 52 minutes of driving time, making it a solid two-day trip rather than a single-day push. You'll primarily navigate via US 84 and TX 71, with the Katy Freeway also playing a role near Houston. With 88% of the drive on highways, expect a relatively efficient travel experience. The estimated fuel cost for this long-distance drive is around $82. This route traverses the Great Plains region for both its start and end points, indicating a consistent landscape throughout your travels.

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

272.6 miles from South Houston, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 59m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 84 104.9 mi 1h 49m
TX 71 77.7 mi 1h 22m
Katy Freeway 73.8 mi 1h 20m
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
Longest stretch: US 84 — 104.9 mi, about 1h 49m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between South Houston, TX and Lubbock, TX.

1

Start on TX 3

0.6 mi · 1 min · Galveston Road
2

Turn left onto TX 3

1.1 mi · 1 min · Winkler Drive
Use the right lane.
3

Continue on TX 3

486 ft · 8 sec · Monroe Road
4

Turn right onto Gulf Freeway Frontage Road

0.2 mi · 19 sec · Gulf Freeway Frontage Road
Use the right lane.
5

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 21 sec
Toward I 45 North Use the slight left lane.
6

Merge onto I 45

10 mi · 12 min · Gulf Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 17 sec
Exit 48B Toward I 10 West: San Antonio Use the slight left / straight lanes.
8

Merge onto I 10; US 90

74 mi · 1 hr 20 min · Katy Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
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

Given the nearly 10-hour drive time, splitting this trip over two days is highly recommended for a more comfortable experience. Aim to depart early from South Houston to maximize your first day's travel, perhaps targeting the halfway point around the 5-hour mark. With two planned stops, you'll have opportunities to refuel and stretch. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 104.9-mile stretch on US 84, as services might be less frequent in certain sections. Planning your overnight stay in advance will ensure a smooth continuation of your journey to Lubbock.

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 272.6 miles from South Houston, TX, or about 4h 59m 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 120 miles or 2h 12m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 272.6 miles or 4h 59m 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 272.6 miles or 4h 59m

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 48m

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 South Houston, 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 South Houston, TX

Aim for roughly 273 miles and 4.9 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Lubbock, TX

Aim for roughly 273 miles and 4.9 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 120 miles from South Houston, 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.

Downtown Austin, TX, TX

First major stop

Coffee and fuel

Austin, TX

180 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.

city in Texas, United States of America

Second major stop

Overnight candidate

Brownwood, TX

360 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, TX

Overnight Options

Night 1

Killeen, TX

273 mi · about 4.9h in

A practical overnight split lands near Killeen, TX after about 273 miles or 4.9 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Austin, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 120 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Stephenville, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 272.6 miles from South Houston, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 84 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 104.9 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 273 miles or 4.9 hours on the road.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Brown County Museum of History

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 311.6

Brownwood, Texas

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+13256411926

Visit website

The Martin & Frances Lehnis Railroad Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 311.6

Brownwood, Texas

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+13256436376

Visit website

Mackenzie Main City Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 545.2

Lubbock, Texas

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+18067752673

Visit website

American Windmill Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 545.2

Lubbock, Texas

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+18067478734

Visit website

Katy Heritage Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 38.9

Katy, Texas

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+12813914840

Visit website

Andretti Indoor Karting & Games Katy

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 38.9

Katy, Texas

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+18329742201

Visit website

Lakeline Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 194.7

Cedar Park, Texas

+15124015500

Visit website

Play Street Museum - Katy

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 38.9

Katy, Texas

Hours: 8:30 am–6 pm

+12816664217

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 27

5 decision points cluster between mile 2 and 429 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
2 mi into trip | ~3m in

Take the ramp toward I 45 North

Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 45 North
7
12.4 mi into trip | ~15m in

Take the exit toward I 10 West: San Antonio

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / straight lanes. Exit 48B Toward I 10 West: San Antonio
6
86.9 mi into trip | ~1h 37m 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
168.1 mi into trip | ~3h 3m 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
429 mi into trip | ~7h 52m 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

$82.38 one way

$164.76 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 191 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $90.17 $180.35
premium $4.54 $97.34 $194.68
diesel $5.61 $120.37 $240.75

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$82

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$212–$322

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 190.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $57 in charging · 2 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 163.6 2 $57.25 $26.17
Efficient EV 136.3 1 $47.71 $21.81
EV Truck/SUV 218.1 2 $76.33 $34.89

Gas CO2

191 kg

EV CO2

64 kg (66% less)

Plan for 2 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 18, 2026

Origin

South Houston, TX

Morning in South Houston on Sunday

Local time

9:18 AM

CDT

Current temp

77°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Lubbock, TX

Morning in Lubbock on Sunday

Local time

9:18 AM

CDT

Current temp

44°F

Patchy Blowing Dust

NNW 15 to 30 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Freeze Watch

Freeze Watch issued April 17 at 7:58PM CDT until April 19 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX

Freeze Watch

Freeze Watch issued April 17 at 7:58PM CDT until April 19 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX

83°F

Brownwood, TX

360 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

33 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 52m 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?

Predominantly a highway drive, 88% of this route is on faster roads, suggesting a consistent pace for most of your journey. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 104.9 miles on US 84, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly. While the highway share is high, the profile of this drive is described as a long-distance one, implying it’s less about winding country roads and more about covering ground efficiently. Expect a steady, straightforward driving experience as you make your way across Texas.

88% 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: 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 2 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 27 significant decision points across 545.2 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 2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 12.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 86.9 miles (TX 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between South Houston, TX and Lubbock, TX, road signs point toward Austin and 183 Toll North: Lampasas.

Austin

86.3 mi in | ~1h 36m | via TX 71

183 Toll North: Lampasas

168.1 mi in | ~3h 3m

About the Cities

Arriving in Lubbock, TX

Full guide →

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.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

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.

Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 273 miles on day one.

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 2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 12.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 86.9 miles (TX 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Not recommended in a single day. At 9.9 hours each way, a round trip means 19.8 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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