The drive from Kingsville, TX to Lubbock, TX covers 539 miles and takes about 9h 38m behind the wheel.
It usually feels better as a 2-day road trip than as one long push.
The route leans on US 281, I 10, US 84 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is long-distance drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 122.7 miles on US 281.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $81.44 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
269.5 miles from Kingsville, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 52m into the drive
.
Drive Character
At 539 miles and 9h 38m of driving, this is a route where fuel stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single turn. The main roads are US 281 and I 10.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 42 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 281 is the longest continuous segment at about 122.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 281 and I 10. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 153.2 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 30 significant decision points across 539 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 153.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 155.1 miles (I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 155.9 miles (I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 30 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
153.2 mi into trip|~2h 52m in
Take the exit toward Cesar Estrada Chavez Boulevard, Alamodome
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 140B
Toward Cesar Estrada Chavez Boulevard, Alamodom...
8
155.1 mi into trip|~2h 56m in|I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway
Take the exit onto I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway toward I 10 West, US 87 North: El Paso
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 156
Toward I 10 West, US 87 North: El Paso
6
155.9 mi into trip|~2h 57m in|I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
170.6 mi into trip|~3h 14m in|I 10; US 87
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
269.2 mi into trip|~4h 51m in|US 83
Take the exit onto US 83 toward US 83 North, US 377: Junction, Menard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 456
Toward US 83 North, US 377: Junction, Menard
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Kingsville, TX and Lubbock, TX, road signs point toward Alamodome and Menard.
Alamodome
153.2 mi in|~2h 52m
Menard
269.2 mi in|~4h 51m|via US 83
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 281
122.7 mi
2h 12m
I 10
98.7 mi
1h 37m
US 84
74.5 mi
1h 14m
Frisco Avenue
41.9 mi
44m
State Highway 153
29.5 mi
33m
North Main Street
29.3 mi
30m
Highway 84
20 mi
19m
Roberts Avenue
16.5 mi
18m
Longest stretch:
US 281
— 122.7 mi, about 2h 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kingsville, TX and Lubbock, TX.
1
Start on US 77 Business
54 ft·5 sec·South 14th Street
2
Turn right onto TX 141
15 mi·19 min·East King Avenue
3
Take the ramp
0.6 mi·1 min
4
Merge onto US 281
54 mi·1 hr 1 min·US 281
5
Keep slight left at fork onto US 281
15 mi·18 min·Nueces Street
6
Continue on US 281
0.2 mi·15 sec·US 281
7
Take the exit onto US 281
68 mi·1 hr 10 min·US 281
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 140BToward Cesar Estrada Chavez Boulevard, AlamodomeUse the slight right lane.
9
Turn left onto East César E. Chávez Boulevard
1.4 mi·3 min·East César E. Chávez Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
10
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 10 West, I 35 North
11
Merge onto I 10; I 35; US 87
93 ft·1 sec·South Pan Am Expressway
12
Take the exit onto I 10; US 87
0.9 mi·1 min·McDermott Freeway
Exit 156Toward I 10 West, US 87 North: El PasoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 87
15 mi·17 min·McDermott Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
99 mi·1 hr 37 min·I 10; US 87
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
15
Take the exit onto US 83
0.3 mi·44 sec·US 83
Exit 456Toward US 83 North, US 377: Junction, Menard
16
Turn right onto US 83; US 377
29 mi·30 min·North Main Street
Use the right lane.
17
Continue on US 83
42 mi·44 min·Frisco Avenue
18
Continue on US 83
17 mi·18 min·Roberts Avenue
19
Turn right onto US 67; US 83
387 ft·18 sec·Hutchings Avenue
Use the right lane.
20
Turn left onto TX 158
6.3 mi·7 min·North Broadway Street
Use the left lane.
21
Turn right onto FM 2111
12 mi·13 min·FM 2111
22
Turn left onto TX 153
29 mi·33 min·State Highway 153
23
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 153
19 ft·0 sec·State Highway 153
24
Turn right onto TX 70
10 mi·10 min·State Highway 70
25
Continue on TX 70
0.8 mi·1 min·Lamar Street
26
Turn left onto Northwest Georgia Avenue
0.1 mi·16 sec·Northwest Georgia Avenue
27
Take the ramp
340 ft·8 sec
Toward I 20 West: Midland
28
Merge onto I 20; US 84
6.0 mi·5 min·I 20; US 84
29
Take the exit onto US 84
0.3 mi·19 sec·US 84
Exit 238AToward US 84 West: Snyder, Lubbock
30
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84
74 mi·1 hr 14 min·US 84
31
Turn right onto Loop 46
1.0 mi·1 min·South Avenue F
32
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 207
0.1 mi·10 sec·North Avenue F
33
Turn straight onto TX 207
0.4 mi·38 sec·Ralls Road
34
Turn left onto Spur 575
0.1 mi·17 sec·East 15th Street
35
Turn right onto US 84
1.0 mi·1 min·North US Highway 84
36
Continue on US 84
20 mi·19 min·Highway 84
37
Continue on US 84
4.6 mi·4 min·Trooper Jerry Don Davis Memorial Highway
38
Continue on US 84
6.8 mi·6 min·East Highway 84
39
Continue on US 84
4.9 mi·6 min·Slaton Road
40
Continue on US 84
2.9 mi·3 min·Avenue Q South Drive
41
Turn right onto US 62; TX 114
33 ft·0 sec·19th Street
42
Arrive at destination
US 62; TX 114
Trip Plan
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 269.5 miles from Kingsville, TX, or about 4h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 122.7 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 119 miles or 2h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 269.5 miles or 4h 52m 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 269.5 miles or 4h 52m
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 34m
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 Kingsville, 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 Kingsville, TX
Aim for roughly 270 miles and 4.8 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Lubbock, TX
Aim for roughly 270 miles and 4.8 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 119 miles from Kingsville, 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 281 for about 122.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 269.5 mi from Kingsville, TX
· 4h 52m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Welcome to San Antonio Missions, a National Park Service site and the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas. Each mission in the park is a center of community and has been since the early 1700s. Th...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 148.7
Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park tells the story of our 36th president beginning with his ancestors until his final resting place on his beloved LBJ Ranch. This entire "circle of life" gives...
26 mi from route
~66 min detour
Free
near mile 204.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$81.44 one way
$162.89 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg189 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$89.15
$178.29
premium
$4.54
$96.23
$192.47
diesel
$5.61
$119.00
$238.01
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$81
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$211–$321
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 188.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $57 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
161.7
1
$56.59
$25.87
Efficient EV
134.8
1
$47.16
$21.56
EV Truck/SUV
215.6
2
$75.46
$34.50
Gas CO2
189 kg
EV CO2
63 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 14, 2026
Origin
Kingsville, TX
Late night
in Kingsville on Saturday
Local time
1:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Lubbock, TX
Late night
in Lubbock on Saturday
Local time
1:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Partly Cloudy
SSW 10 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 14 at 12:11AM CDT until April 14 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 13 at 10:24PM CDT until April 14 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Lubbock 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.
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
5 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 38m 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 Kingsville, TX to Lubbock, TX covers 539 miles and takes about 9h 38m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 281, I 10, US 84. 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 270 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 269.5 miles from Kingsville, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $81.44 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 is a demanding drive. With 30 significant decision points across 539 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 153.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 155.1 miles (I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 155.9 miles (I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Kingsville, TX and Lubbock, TX, road signs point toward Alamodome and Menard.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
