The drive from Lubbock, TX to Karnes City, TX covers 438.3 miles and takes about 7h 48m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US Highway 84, I 10, US 181 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 73.9 miles on US Highway 84.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $66.23 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
219.2 miles from Lubbock, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 53m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 48m. Total distance: 438.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 48m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
This is a 7h 48m highway drive covering 438.3 miles, with most of the trip on US Highway 84 and I 10. The longest continuous stretch is about 73.9 miles on US Highway 84.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 40 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US Highway 84 is the longest continuous segment at about 73.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 84 and I 10. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 115.7 miles in near US 84.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 438.3 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 115.7 miles (US 84): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 122.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 269.5 miles (US 83): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 23 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
115.7 mi into trip|~1h 59m in|US 84
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84 toward I 20 East, US 84 East: Abilene
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 20 East, US 84 East: Abilene
6
122.2 mi into trip|~2h 6m in
Take the exit toward SH 70 South, SH 70 Business: Sweetwater, San Angelo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 244
Toward SH 70 South, SH 70 Business: Sweetwater,...
8
269.5 mi into trip|~4h 46m in|US 83
Take the exit onto US 83 toward I 10 East: San Antonio
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 10 East: San Antonio
8
382.8 mi into trip|~6h 40m in
Take the exit toward Santa Rosa Street, Downtown
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 569C
Toward Santa Rosa Street, Downtown
7
394.5 mi into trip|~6h 56m in|US 181
Take the exit onto US 181 toward US 181 South: Floresville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 132
Toward US 181 South: Floresville
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Lubbock, TX and Karnes City, TX, road signs point toward Sh 70 South, Sh 70 Business: Sweetwater, San Angelo and Downtown.
Sh 70 South
122.2 mi in|~2h 6m
Sh 70 Business: Sweetwater
122.2 mi in|~2h 6m
San Angelo
122.2 mi in|~2h 6m
Downtown
382.8 mi in|~6h 40m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US Highway 84
73.9 mi
1h 14m
I 10
71.7 mi
1h 14m
US 181
43.2 mi
50m
Grassmeyer Street
41.9 mi
44m
US 83
40 mi
38m
State Highway 153
29.5 mi
33m
Ellis Street
29.4 mi
31m
East Highway 84
26.9 mi
26m
Longest stretch:
US Highway 84
— 73.9 mi, about 1h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lubbock, TX and Karnes City, TX.
1
Start on US 62; TX 114
33 ft·6 sec·19th Street
2
Turn left onto US 84
2.9 mi·3 min·Avenue Q
3
Continue on US 84
4.8 mi·6 min·Slaton Road
4
Continue on US 84
6.9 mi·6 min·East Highway 84
5
Continue on US 84
4.5 mi·4 min·Trooper Jerry Don Davis Memorial Highway
6
Continue on US 84
20 mi·20 min·East Highway 84
7
Continue on US 84
1.0 mi·1 min·North US Highway 84
8
Turn left onto Spur 575
0.1 mi·16 sec·East 15th Street
9
Turn right onto TX 207
0.4 mi·37 sec·Ralls Road
10
Turn straight onto TX 207
1.1 mi·2 min·North Avenue F
11
At end of road, turn left onto US 84
74 mi·1 hr 14 min·US Highway 84
12
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84
6.5 mi·6 min·US 84
Toward I 20 East, US 84 East: Abilene
13
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Exit 244Toward SH 70 South, SH 70 Business: Sweetwater, San Angelo
14
Turn slight left onto Southwest Georgia Avenue
0.1 mi·16 sec·Southwest Georgia Avenue
15
Turn right onto TX 70
0.7 mi·1 min·Lamar Street
16
Continue on TX 70
10 mi·10 min·State Highway 70
17
Turn left onto TX 153
29 mi·33 min·State Highway 153
18
Turn right onto FM 2111
12 mi·13 min·FM 2111
19
Turn left onto TX 158
6.3 mi·7 min·TX 158
20
At end of road, turn right onto US 67; US 83
387 ft·18 sec·Hutchings Avenue
21
Turn left onto US 83
17 mi·18 min·South 7th Street
Use the left lane.
22
Continue on US 83
42 mi·44 min·Grassmeyer Street
23
Continue on US 83
29 mi·31 min·Ellis Street
24
Take the exit onto US 83
40 mi·38 min·US 83
Toward I 10 East: San AntonioUse the left lane.
25
Continue on I 10
54 mi·54 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
17 mi·19 min·I 10; US 87
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
1.7 mi·2 min·McDermott Freeway
28
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 569CToward Santa Rosa Street, DowntownUse the slight right lane.
29
Turn straight onto North Pecos-La Trinidad
0.2 mi·16 sec·North Pecos-La Trinidad
30
Keep slight right at fork onto North Pecos-La Trinidad
0.6 mi·1 min·North Pecos-La Trinidad
Use the straight lane.
31
Turn left onto Dolorosa Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Dolorosa Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
32
Continue on West Market Street
0.4 mi·42 sec·West Market Street
33
Continue on East Market Street
0.4 mi·40 sec·East Market Street
34
Turn right onto Tower of the Americas Way
0.2 mi·21 sec·Tower of the Americas Way
Use the right lane.
35
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 37 South, US 281 South
36
Merge onto I 37; US 281
1.4 mi·1 min·William J Bordelon Freeway
37
Continue on I 37; US 281
7.4 mi·8 min·Lucian Adams Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Take the exit onto US 181
43 mi·50 min·US 181
Exit 132Toward US 181 South: FloresvilleUse the slight right lane.
39
Turn left onto US 181 Business
0.6 mi·1 min·West Calvert Avenue
40
Arrive at destination
US 181 Business
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 219.2 miles from Lubbock, TX, or about 3h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.9 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 96 miles or 1h 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 219.2 miles or 3h 53m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Karnes City, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lubbock, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Lubbock, TX
This is one driving day of about 438.3 miles and 7h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 96 miles from Lubbock, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US Highway 84 for about 73.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 219.2 mi from Lubbock, TX
· 3h 53m into the drive
The midpoint is around 219.2 miles from Lubbock, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before US Highway 84 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 73.9 miles.
Arriving in Karnes City, TX
The final approach into Karnes City, TX usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Karnes City, TX.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
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...
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...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 332.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$66.23 one way
$132.46 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg153 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$72.49
$144.98
premium
$4.54
$78.26
$156.51
diesel
$5.61
$96.77
$193.54
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$66
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$91–$116
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 153.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $46 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
131.5
1
$46.02
$21.04
Efficient EV
109.6
1
$38.35
$17.53
EV Truck/SUV
175.3
2
$61.36
$28.05
Gas CO2
153 kg
EV CO2
51 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 15, 2026
Origin
Lubbock, TX
Evening
in Lubbock on Friday
Local time
7:39 PM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Karnes City, TX
Evening
in Karnes City on Friday
Local time
7:39 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°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.
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
7h 48m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Lubbock, TX to Karnes City, TX covers 438.3 miles and takes about 7h 48m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US Highway 84, I 10, US 181. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 219.2 miles from Lubbock, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $66.23 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 23 significant decision points across 438.3 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 115.7 miles (US 84): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 122.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 269.5 miles (US 83): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Lubbock, TX and Karnes City, TX, road signs point toward Sh 70 South, Sh 70 Business: Sweetwater, San Angelo and Downtown.
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.
