Traveling from Texas City to Lubbock covers 575 miles and typically takes about 10 hours and 28 minutes of pure driving time. Because this is a significant distance across the Great Plains, I strongly recommend splitting the journey over two days rather than attempting it in one exhausting stretch. You should budget approximately $88 for fuel to cover the entire trip. While both cities sit within the Great Plains, the transition across Texas offers a steady change in landscape that is best enjoyed at a measured pace. Planning for an overnight stay will make the drive far more manageable and enjoyable for you and your passengers.
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
287.5 miles from Texas City, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 5h 18m 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
Gulf Freeway
32.7 mi
37m
East Commerce Street
22 mi
25m
Highway 84
20 mi
19m
Longest stretch:
US 84
— 104.9 mi, about 1h 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Texas City, TX and Lubbock, TX.
1
Start on this road
48 ft·8 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto Spur 197
0.7 mi·1 min·6th Street
3
Turn left onto 9th Avenue North
1.4 mi·2 min·9th Avenue North
Use the left lane.
4
Continue on FM 1764
1.6 mi·2 min·Palmer Highway
5
Continue on FM 1764
5.8 mi·7 min·Emmett F Lowry Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto I 45
33 mi·37 min·Gulf Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Exit 48BToward I 10 West: San AntonioUse 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: LampasasUse 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 238AToward 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
To make the most of this 575-mile trip, I suggest planning for at least two deliberate stops to break up the long hours on the road. Leaving early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid fatigue and ensure you reach your destination well before nightfall. Since the route involves significant time on US 84, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during that 104.9-mile stretch to avoid any unnecessary stress in more remote sections. Splitting the drive into two days allows you to maintain a relaxed rhythm rather than rushing through the Great Plains. Prioritize consistency in your pace to keep the journey predictable and safe from start to finish.
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 287.5 miles from Texas City, TX, or about 5h 18m 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 127 miles or 2h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 287.5 miles or 5h 18m 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 287.5 miles or 5h 18m
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 9h 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 Texas City, 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 Texas City, TX
Aim for roughly 288 miles and 5.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Lubbock, TX
Aim for roughly 288 miles and 5.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 127 miles from Texas City, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 26
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 458.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.7 mi into trip|~1m in|9th Avenue North
Turn left onto 9th Avenue North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
42.2 mi into trip|~51m 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
116.7 mi into trip|~2h 12m 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
197.9 mi into trip|~3h 39m 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
458.8 mi into trip|~8h 27m 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
$86.88 one way
$173.77 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg201 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$95.10
$190.20
premium
$4.54
$102.66
$205.32
diesel
$5.61
$126.95
$253.91
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$87
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$217–$327
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 201.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $60 in charging
· 2 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
172.5
2
$60.37
$27.60
Efficient EV
143.8
1
$50.31
$23.00
EV Truck/SUV
230
2
$80.50
$36.80
Gas CO2
201 kg
EV CO2
67 kg (67% 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 Dec 18, 2023
Origin
Texas City, TX
Night
in Texas City on Saturday
Local time
9:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Lubbock, TX
Night
in Lubbock on Saturday
Local time
9:50 PM
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.
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
23 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
10h 28m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a trip defined by high-speed efficiency, as about 88% of your journey takes place on highways. You will navigate a mix of major arteries, including the Katy Freeway, TX 71, and US 84, which helps keep your travel time consistent. The road feels like a classic Texas long-distance haul, highlighted by a longest uninterrupted stretch of 104.9 miles on US 84. You will experience a blend of fast-moving interstate travel and the more steady, rhythmic pace of state highways. Be prepared for a drive that demands focus, as the consistent highway speeds make for a straightforward but lengthy experience behind the wheel.
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 0.7 miles in near 9th Avenue North.
Driving Effort10/10
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 26 significant decision points across 575 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 0.7 miles (9th Avenue North): Lane positioning matters here; at 42.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 116.7 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 Texas City, TX and Lubbock, TX, road signs point toward Austin and 183 Toll North: Lampasas.
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.
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 288 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 0.7 miles (9th Avenue North): Lane positioning matters here; at 42.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 116.7 miles (TX 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 10.5 hours each way, a round trip means 20.9 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.
