This 493-mile drive from Hickory Creek, TX to Lubbock, TX spans approximately 9 hours and 2 minutes, making it a solid two-day journey rather than a single-day push. You'll primarily navigate the Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway and US 287, with US 84 also playing a role. With a projected fuel cost of around $74, this route offers a straightforward passage through the Great Plains region of Texas. Considering the duration and the need for at least two stops, planning an overnight break is highly recommended to ensure a comfortable and safe trip. This drive is characterized as a mixed landscape, suggesting varied driving experiences.
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
246.5 miles from Hickory Creek, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 50m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
9h 2m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
This drive presents a mixed driving profile, with 54% of it occurring on highways. Expect to cover a significant distance, including a longest stretch of 194.1 miles on the Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway, which can feel like a long haul. The route is designed to be efficient, primarily utilizing major roadways like US 287 and US 84. While not exclusively an interstate grind, the predominantly highway nature means you'll experience stretches of consistent speed. The landscape is consistent with the Great Plains, offering open vistas for much of the journey.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 194.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 19 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 71.9 miles in near I 45.
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 493 miles you will encounter 19 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 71.9 miles (I 45): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 119.8 miles (US 287): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 182.6 miles (I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
71.9 mi into trip|~1h 45m in|I 45
Merge onto I 45
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
119.8 mi into trip|~2h 33m in|US 287
Take the exit onto US 287 toward US 287 North: Waxahachie, Fort Worth
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.
Exit 247
Toward US 287 North: Waxahachie, Fort Worth
7
182.6 mi into trip|~3h 45m 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
186.6 mi into trip|~3h 49m 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
376.7 mi into trip|~7h 2m 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
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 Hickory Creek, TX to Lubbock, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Fort Worth along the way.
Fort Worth
119.8 mi in|~2h 33m|via US 287
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
194.1 mi
3h 17m
US 84
97.2 mi
1h 48m
US 287
86.3 mi
1h 37m
I 45
47.9 mi
47m
Highway 84
20 mi
19m
East Parker Street
12.6 mi
18m
East Highway 84
6.8 mi
6m
Slaton Road
4.9 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
— 194.1 mi, about 3h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hickory Creek, TX and Lubbock, TX.
1
Start on County Road 1050
223 ft·14 sec·County Road 1050
2
Turn left onto Farm-to-Market Road 1050
1.1 mi·4 min·Farm-to-Market Road 1050
3
Continue on FM 3187
4.4 mi·10 min·FM 3187
4
Turn left onto TX 21
2.6 mi·3 min·TX 21
5
Turn right onto Loop 304
1.8 mi·2 min·Loop 304
6
Turn right onto US 287; TX 19
23 mi·26 min·US 287; TX 19
7
Turn left onto TX 294
13 mi·18 min·East Parker Street
8
At end of road, turn left onto US 79; US 84
1.9 mi·2 min·US 79; US 84
9
Turn straight onto US 84
23 mi·33 min·US 84
10
Keep slight right at fork onto FM 27
0.7 mi·1 min·West Commerce Street
11
Take the ramp
0.6 mi·1 min
12
Merge onto I 45
48 mi·47 min·I 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit onto US 287
63 mi·1 hr 11 min·US 287
Exit 247Toward US 287 North: Waxahachie, Fort WorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20
4.0 mi·4 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Toward I 20 WestUse the straight lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20
190 mi·3 hr 12 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Toward I 20 West: AbileneUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit onto US 84
0.3 mi·19 sec·US 84
Exit 238AToward US 84 West: Snyder, Lubbock
17
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84
74 mi·1 hr 14 min·US 84
18
Turn right onto Loop 46
1.0 mi·1 min·South Avenue F
19
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 207
0.1 mi·10 sec·North Avenue F
20
Turn straight onto TX 207
0.4 mi·38 sec·Ralls Road
21
Turn left onto Spur 575
0.1 mi·17 sec·East 15th Street
22
Turn right onto US 84
1.0 mi·1 min·North US Highway 84
23
Continue on US 84
20 mi·19 min·Highway 84
24
Continue on US 84
4.6 mi·4 min·Trooper Jerry Don Davis Memorial Highway
25
Continue on US 84
6.8 mi·6 min·East Highway 84
26
Continue on US 84
4.9 mi·6 min·Slaton Road
27
Continue on US 84
2.9 mi·3 min·Avenue Q South Drive
28
Turn right onto US 62; TX 114
33 ft·0 sec·19th Street
29
Arrive at destination
US 62; TX 114
Trip Plan
Given the 9-hour duration, breaking this 493-mile trip into two days is your best bet for a relaxed experience. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight hours for your first leg. With two recommended stops, plan your overnight stay strategically along the route. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest stretch of 194.1 miles on the Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway, as services can be spaced out in some areas. The estimated fuel cost is $74, 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.
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 246.5 miles from Hickory Creek, TX, or about 4h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 194.1 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 108 miles or 2h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 246.5 miles or 4h 50m 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 246.5 miles or 4h 50m
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 7h 58m
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 Hickory Creek, 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 Hickory Creek, TX
Aim for roughly 247 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Lubbock, TX
Aim for roughly 247 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 108 miles from Hickory Creek, 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 Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway for about 194.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 246.5 mi from Hickory Creek, TX
· 4h 50m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$74.49 one way
$148.99 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg173 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$81.54
$163.08
premium
$4.54
$88.02
$176.04
diesel
$5.61
$108.85
$217.70
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$74
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$204–$314
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 172.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $52 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
147.9
1
$51.77
$23.66
Efficient EV
123.3
1
$43.14
$19.72
EV Truck/SUV
197.2
2
$69.02
$31.55
Gas CO2
172 kg
EV CO2
58 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Hickory Creek, TX
Late night
in Hickory Creek on Friday
Local time
2:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Lubbock, TX
Late night
in Lubbock on Friday
Local time
2:08 AM
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
24 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
9h 2m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Hickory Creek, TX to Lubbock, TX covers 493 miles and takes about 9h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway, US 84, US 287. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 247 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 246.5 miles from Hickory Creek, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $74.49 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 493 miles you will encounter 19 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 71.9 miles (I 45): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 119.8 miles (US 287): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 182.6 miles (I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Hickory Creek, TX to Lubbock, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Fort Worth along the way.
Data sources
The figures on this page are computed from open government and mapping datasets, not crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Full methodology, refresh cadence, and limitations are documented on the
methodology page.
