Llano Estacado Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Wilmer, TX to Lubbock, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 9m
Distance
357.1 mi
575 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$49
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 57m
★
6 AM
6h 10m
8 AM
6h 35m
10 AM
6h 19m
12 PM
6h 16m
3 PM
6h 20m
5 PM
6h 34m
8 PM
6h 2m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Wilmer, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Lubbock, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Wilmer, TX to Lubbock, TX is 357.1 miles and takes about 6h 9m via Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway and US 84, with a fuel budget near $52 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region, moving from one part of Texas to another. The route offers a straightforward drive with a significant portion on well-maintained highways, making it a practical choice for a single-day excursion. Expect a mostly consistent landscape as you travel across the state. It’s a solid option if you need to get from point A to point B efficiently.
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
178.6 miles from Wilmer, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 6m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway | 219.1 mi | 3h 43m |
| US 84 | 74.5 mi | 1h 14m |
| Highway 84 | 20 mi | 19m |
| Lyndon B Johnson Freeway | 15.1 mi | 16m |
| East Highway 84 | 6.8 mi | 6m |
| I 45 | 5 mi | 5m |
| Slaton Road | 4.9 mi | 6m |
| Trooper Jerry Don Davis Memorial Highway | 4.6 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
— 219.1 mi, about 3h 43m
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 42 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,998 veh/hr typical · worst 2,491
Quietest
2 AM
~243 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.2×
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 Wilmer, TX and Lubbock, TX.
1
Start on South Dallas Avenue
26 ft
·
5 sec
·
South Dallas Avenue
2
Turn left onto East Belt Line Road
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
East Belt Line Road
3
Turn left onto US Highway 75 Service Road East
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
US Highway 75 Service Road East
4
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Toward I 45 North
5
Merge onto I 45
5.0 mi
·
5 min
·
I 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
2 min
Exit 276A
Toward I 20 West: Fort Worth
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 20
15 mi
·
16 min
·
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 20
25 mi
·
26 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20
4.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Toward I 20 West
Use the straight lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20
190 mi
·
3 hr 12 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Toward I 20 West: Abilene
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit onto US 84
0.3 mi
·
19 sec
·
US 84
Exit 238A
Toward US 84 West: Snyder, Lubbock
12
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84
74 mi
·
1 hr 14 min
·
US 84
13
Turn right onto Loop 46
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Avenue F
14
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 207
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
North Avenue F
15
Turn straight onto TX 207
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
·
Ralls Road
16
Turn left onto Spur 575
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
East 15th Street
17
Turn right onto US 84
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North US Highway 84
18
Continue on US 84
20 mi
·
19 min
·
Highway 84
19
Continue on US 84
4.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Trooper Jerry Don Davis Memorial Highway
20
Continue on US 84
6.8 mi
·
6 min
·
East Highway 84
21
Continue on US 84
4.9 mi
·
6 min
·
Slaton Road
22
Continue on US 84
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Avenue Q South Drive
23
Turn right onto US 62; TX 114
33 ft
·
0 sec
·
19th Street
24
Arrive at destination
US 62; TX 114
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 9m estimated drive time, leaving Wilmer, TX in the morning is your best bet to complete this trip in one day. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the 219.1-mile stretch on Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway, as services might be less frequent. While the drive is manageable in a single day, consider splitting it if you prefer a more relaxed pace or want to explore along the way. The fuel cost is estimated at $52, so factor that into your budget.
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 178.6 miles from Wilmer, TX, or about 3h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 219.1 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 178.6 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 5m
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 Wilmer, 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 Wilmer, TX
This is one driving day of about 357.1 miles and 6h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 79 miles from Wilmer, 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 Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway for about 219.1 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 178.6 miles from Wilmer, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 219.1 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
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
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
TA
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
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
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.4 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
1.3 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 155 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 240.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.8 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
I 45
Merge onto I 45
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
5.7 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Take the exit toward I 20 West: Fort Worth
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 276A
Toward I 20 West: Fort Worth
7
46.7 mi into trip
|
~52m in
|
I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway toward I 20 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 20 West
7
50.8 mi into trip
|
~56m in
|
I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway toward I 20 West: Abilene
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 20 West: Abilene
6
240.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 9m 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
$48.91 one way
$97.82 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
125 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $54.63 | $109.27 |
| premium | $4.23 | $59.40 | $118.80 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $67.43 | $134.85 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$49
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 124.9 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 | 107.1 | 1 | $37.50 | $17.14 |
| Efficient EV | 89.3 | 1 | $31.25 | $14.28 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 142.8 | 1 | $49.99 | $22.85 |
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
Wilmer, TX
Morning in Wilmer on Sunday
Local time
10:17 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Mostly Clear
S 5 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 10:11PM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 8:53PM CDT until July 20 at 6:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Lubbock, TX
Morning in Lubbock on Sunday
Local time
10:17 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 10:11PM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 8:53PM CDT until July 20 at 6:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio 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
8 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 9m 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?
You'll spend about 34% of this drive on highways. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 219.1 miles on Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway. After this, the profile shifts to mixed highway and surface roads for the remainder of the trip. This means you'll experience a mix of faster cruising and potentially more local traffic as you get closer to your destination. Be prepared for a change in driving pace as you transition from high-speed highway to potentially slower surface roads.
34% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 219.1 mi on Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in near I 45.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 357.1 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 0.8 miles (I 45): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 46.7 miles (I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
3,203 ft
464 ft
Total Climb
3,151 ft
Total Descent
412 ft
Highest Point
3,203 ft
~357.1 mi in
Elevation Range
2,739 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Wilmer, TX
Full guide →Founded 1945
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 9m. Total distance: 357.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 9m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 219.1 miles on Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 38 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 38 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles (I 45): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 46.7 miles (I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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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