Temple, TX to Lubbock, TX is 351.4 miles and takes about 6h 28m via US 84, with a fuel budget near $53 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip primarily takes you across the Great Plains, moving from one part of Texas to another. It's a straightforward, highway-focused drive that's perfectly manageable in a single day. You'll spend most of your time on major roads, making it an efficient way to cover the distance. Consider this option if you need a practical, no-fuss journey between these two Texas cities.
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
175.7 miles from Temple, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 24m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 84
104.4 mi
1h 48m
State Highway 153
69 mi
1h 14m
East Main Street
51.3 mi
54m
TX 36
22.3 mi
30m
East Commerce Street
22 mi
25m
Highway 84
20 mi
19m
State Highway 70
10.4 mi
10m
Airport Road
10.4 mi
14m
Longest stretch:
US 84
— 104.4 mi, about 1h 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Temple, TX and Lubbock, TX.
1
Start on Spur 290
11 ft·4 sec·North 3rd Street
2
Turn right onto TX 53
0.9 mi·1 min·West Adams Avenue
3
Continue on TX 53
0.3 mi·26 sec·Airport Road
4
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 53
10 mi·14 min·Airport Road
5
Continue on TX 36
22 mi·30 min·TX 36
6
Continue on TX 36 Business
1.2 mi·2 min·Highway 36 Business
7
Merge onto US 84; TX 36 Business
51 mi·54 min·East Main Street
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on US 84; US 183; TX 16
30 mi·34 min·US 84; US 183; TX 16
9
Turn left onto US 67; US 84; US 183; US 377
1.7 mi·2 min·Early Boulevard
10
Continue on US 67; US 84; US 377
22 mi·25 min·East Commerce Street
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 84; US 283
7.2 mi·8 min·Wallis Avenue
12
Turn right onto TX 153
0.9 mi·1 min·East Walnut Street
13
Continue on TX 153; TX 206
1.0 mi·1 min·West Walnut Street
14
Continue on TX 153
69 mi·1 hr 14 min·State Highway 153
15
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 153
19 ft·0 sec·State Highway 153
16
Turn right onto TX 70
10 mi·10 min·State Highway 70
17
Continue on TX 70
0.8 mi·1 min·Lamar Street
18
Turn left onto Northwest Georgia Avenue
0.1 mi·16 sec·Northwest Georgia Avenue
19
Take the ramp
340 ft·8 sec
Toward I 20 West: Midland
20
Merge onto I 20; US 84
6.0 mi·5 min·I 20; US 84
21
Take the exit onto US 84
0.3 mi·19 sec·US 84
Exit 238AToward US 84 West: Snyder, Lubbock
22
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84
74 mi·1 hr 14 min·US 84
23
Turn right onto Loop 46
1.0 mi·1 min·South Avenue F
24
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 207
0.1 mi·10 sec·North Avenue F
25
Turn straight onto TX 207
0.4 mi·38 sec·Ralls Road
26
Turn left onto Spur 575
0.1 mi·17 sec·East 15th Street
27
Turn right onto US 84
1.0 mi·1 min·North US Highway 84
28
Continue on US 84
20 mi·19 min·Highway 84
29
Continue on US 84
4.6 mi·4 min·Trooper Jerry Don Davis Memorial Highway
30
Continue on US 84
6.8 mi·6 min·East Highway 84
31
Continue on US 84
4.9 mi·6 min·Slaton Road
32
Continue on US 84
2.9 mi·3 min·Avenue Q South Drive
33
Turn right onto US 62; TX 114
33 ft·0 sec·19th Street
34
Arrive at destination
US 62; TX 114
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour drive time, leaving in the morning from Temple, TX, will allow you to reach Lubbock, TX, with plenty of daylight to spare. With only one recommended stop, you can plan your break strategically along US 84, perhaps around the halfway point, to refuel and stretch. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest stretch of 104.4 miles on US 84, as services might be more spread out in some areas. The $53 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always factor in a buffer for unexpected detours or price fluctuations.
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 175.7 miles from Temple, TX, or about 3h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 104.4 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 77 miles or 1h 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 175.7 miles or 3h 24m 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 24m
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 Temple, 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 Temple, TX
This is one driving day of about 351.4 miles and 6h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 77 miles from Temple, 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 US 84 for about 104.4 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.2 and 235.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
1.2 mi into trip|~1m in|TX 53 / Airport Road
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 53 / Airport Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
34.7 mi into trip|~49m in|US 84; TX 36 Business / East Main Street
Merge onto US 84; TX 36 Business / East Main Street
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
4
115.9 mi into trip|~2h 17m in|US 67; US 84; US 183; US 377 / Early Boulevard
Turn left onto US 67; US 84; US 183; US 377 / Early Boulevard
Navigation decision point
4
139.6 mi into trip|~2h 44m in|US 84; US 283 / Wallis Avenue
Keep slight right at fork onto US 84; US 283 / Wallis Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
235.1 mi into trip|~4h 28m 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
$53.10 one way
$106.19 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg123 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$58.12
$116.24
premium
$4.54
$62.74
$125.48
diesel
$5.61
$77.58
$155.17
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$53
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$78–$103
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 122.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
105.4
1
$36.90
$16.87
Efficient EV
87.9
1
$30.75
$14.06
EV Truck/SUV
140.6
1
$49.20
$22.49
Gas CO2
123 kg
EV CO2
41 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 Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Temple, TX
Late night
in Temple on Sunday
Local time
2:45 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Lubbock, TX
Late night
in Lubbock on Sunday
Local time
2:45 AM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Mostly Clear
NNE 25 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 18 at 5:12AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 18 at 2:47AM CDT until April 18 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
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
16 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 28m 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 predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 69% of it utilizing major highways. Expect about 104.4 miles of uninterrupted driving on US 84, which forms the backbone of this journey. While the overall profile is that of a highway drive, you'll also navigate sections on State Highway 153 and East Main Street as you enter and exit towns. The landscape will likely remain consistent with the Great Plains region, offering a fairly predictable driving experience for much of the 6 hours and 28 minutes.
69% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 104.4 mi on US 84.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 84 and State Highway 153. You will hit about 18 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.2 miles in near TX 53 / Airport Road.
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 351.4 miles you will encounter 18 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 1.2 miles (TX 53 / Airport Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 34.7 miles (US 84; TX 36 Business / East Main Street): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 115.9 miles (US 67; US 84; US 183; US 377 / Early Boulevard): Navigation decision point.
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 6h 28m. Total distance: 351.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 28m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 104.4 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 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 1.2 miles (TX 53 / Airport Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 34.7 miles (US 84; TX 36 Business / East Main Street): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 115.9 miles (US 67; US 84; US 183; US 377 / Early Boulevard): Navigation decision point.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.5 hours each way, a round trip means 13.0 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.
