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Trip from Waco, TX to Lubbock, TX

Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026

Drive Time

6h 27m

Distance

353.7 mi

569 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$53

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
6h 15m ★
6 AM
6h 27m
8 AM
6h 52m
10 AM
6h 36m
12 PM
6h 34m
3 PM
6h 37m
5 PM
6h 51m
8 PM
6h 20m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Waco, TX, TX

Waco, TX

Tomás Asurmendi

county seat of Lubbock County, Texas, United States

Lubbock, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 353.7-mile drive from Waco to Lubbock, Texas, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey perfect for a single day of travel. Expect to spend about 6 hours and 27 minutes on the road, with an estimated fuel cost of $53. You'll primarily be navigating West US Highway 84 and US 84, making up 82% of the route. Both Waco and Lubbock reside within the Great Plains region, so the scenery remains consistent throughout this Texas-to-Texas trip. It's a manageable distance for a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.

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

176.9 miles from Waco, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 22m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 27m. Total distance: 353.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 27m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This drive is predominantly a highway experience, with 82% of the journey on major roads like West US Highway 84 and US 84. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 103.5 miles on West US Highway 84, meaning extended periods without needing to turn. While primarily highway, the inclusion of State Highway 153 suggests some variation as you get closer to your destination or depart from Waco. The overall profile points to a consistent pace, allowing for steady progress across the Texas landscape.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 32 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
West US Highway 84 is the longest continuous segment at about 103.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on West US Highway 84 and US 84. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 118.3 miles in near US 67; US 84; US 183; US 377 / Early Boulevard.

Driving Effort 5/10

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 353.7 miles you will encounter 16 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 118.3 miles (US 67; US 84; US 183; US 377 / Early Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 142 miles (US 84; US 283 / Wallis Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 220.1 miles (TX 153 / State Highway 153): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 16 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

4
118.3 mi into trip | ~2h 16m in | US 67; US 84; US 183; US 377 / Early Boulevard

Turn left onto US 67; US 84; US 183; US 377 / Early Boulevard

Navigation decision point

4
142 mi into trip | ~2h 43m in | US 84; US 283 / Wallis Avenue

Keep slight right at fork onto US 84; US 283 / Wallis Avenue

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

4
220.1 mi into trip | ~4h 8m in | TX 153 / State Highway 153

Keep slight right at fork onto TX 153 / State Highway 153

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

4
231.3 mi into trip | ~4h 20m in | Northwest Georgia Avenue

Turn left onto Northwest Georgia Avenue

Navigation decision point

6
237.5 mi into trip | ~4h 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

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
West US Highway 84 103.5 mi 1h 54m
US 84 74.5 mi 1h 14m
State Highway 153 69 mi 1h 14m
East Commerce Street 22 mi 25m
Highway 84 20 mi 19m
West Waco Drive 10.8 mi 16m
State Highway 70 10.4 mi 10m
Wallis Avenue 7.2 mi 8m
Longest stretch: West US Highway 84 — 103.5 mi, about 1h 54m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Waco, TX and Lubbock, TX.

1

Start on US 84

361 ft · 14 sec · West Waco Drive
2

Continue on US 84

11 mi · 15 min · West Waco Drive
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
3

Continue on US 84

5.2 mi · 5 min · West US Highway 84
4

Continue on US 84

2.8 mi · 4 min · East McGregor Drive
5

Continue on US 84

98 mi · 1 hr 48 min · West US Highway 84
Use the straight lane.
6

Continue on US 84; US 183

1.2 mi · 1 min · Garmon Drive
7

Turn left onto US 67; US 84; US 183; US 377

1.7 mi · 2 min · Early Boulevard
8

Continue on US 67; US 84; US 377

22 mi · 25 min · East Commerce Street
9

Keep slight right at fork onto US 84; US 283

7.2 mi · 8 min · Wallis Avenue
10

Turn right onto TX 153

0.9 mi · 1 min · East Walnut Street
11

Continue on TX 153; TX 206

1.0 mi · 1 min · West Walnut Street
12

Continue on TX 153

69 mi · 1 hr 14 min · State Highway 153
13

Keep slight right at fork onto TX 153

19 ft · 0 sec · State Highway 153
14

Turn right onto TX 70

10 mi · 10 min · State Highway 70
15

Continue on TX 70

0.8 mi · 1 min · Lamar Street
16

Turn left onto Northwest Georgia Avenue

0.1 mi · 16 sec · Northwest Georgia Avenue
17

Take the ramp

340 ft · 8 sec
Toward I 20 West: Midland
18

Merge onto I 20; US 84

6.0 mi · 5 min · I 20; US 84
19

Take the exit onto US 84

0.3 mi · 19 sec · US 84
Exit 238A Toward US 84 West: Snyder, Lubbock
20

Keep slight left at fork onto US 84

74 mi · 1 hr 14 min · US 84
21

Turn right onto Loop 46

1.0 mi · 1 min · South Avenue F
22

Keep slight left at fork onto TX 207

0.1 mi · 10 sec · North Avenue F
23

Turn straight onto TX 207

0.4 mi · 38 sec · Ralls Road
24

Turn left onto Spur 575

0.1 mi · 17 sec · East 15th Street
25

Turn right onto US 84

1.0 mi · 1 min · North US Highway 84
26

Continue on US 84

20 mi · 19 min · Highway 84
27

Continue on US 84

4.6 mi · 4 min · Trooper Jerry Don Davis Memorial Highway
28

Continue on US 84

6.8 mi · 6 min · East Highway 84
29

Continue on US 84

4.9 mi · 6 min · Slaton Road
30

Continue on US 84

2.9 mi · 3 min · Avenue Q South Drive
31

Turn right onto US 62; TX 114

33 ft · 0 sec · 19th Street
32

Arrive at destination

US 62; TX 114

Trip Plan

Given the 6-hour 27-minute duration, departing from Waco in the morning will get you to Lubbock with daylight to spare. With only one suggested stop, plan your breaks strategically, perhaps around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 103.5-mile stretch on West US Highway 84, as services might be less frequent. A good tip for this route is to utilize your GPS's traffic feature to anticipate any delays on US 84, which is the backbone of this trip, and adjust your departure accordingly for the smoothest arrival.

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 176.9 miles from Waco, TX, or about 3h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 103.5 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 78 miles or 1h 31m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 176.9 miles or 3h 22m 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 23m

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 Waco, 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 Waco, TX

This is one driving day of about 353.7 miles and 6h 27m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 78 miles from Waco, 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 West US Highway 84 for about 103.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 176.9 mi from Waco, TX · 3h 22m into the drive

city in and county seat of Runnels County, Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ballinger, TX

177 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.

Popular next leg

Ballinger, TX to Lubbock, TX

181.8 mi · 3h 12m

Pacing Suggestions

Brownwood, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 78 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Mount Pleasant, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 176.9 miles from Waco, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before West US Highway 84 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 103.5 miles.

Arriving in Lubbock, TX

The final approach into Lubbock, 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 Lubbock, TX.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$53.44 one way

$106.89 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 124 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $58.50 $117.00
premium $4.54 $63.15 $126.30
diesel $5.61 $78.09 $156.19

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$53

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$78–$103

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 123.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $37 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 106.1 1 $37.14 $16.98
Efficient EV 88.4 1 $30.95 $14.15
EV Truck/SUV 141.5 1 $49.52 $22.64

Gas CO2

124 kg

EV CO2

41 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

Waco, TX

Night in Waco on Thursday

Local time

11:26 PM

CDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Lubbock, TX

Night in Lubbock on Thursday

Local time

11:26 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.

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

19 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

6h 27m 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 Waco, TX to Lubbock, TX covers 353.7 miles and takes about 6h 27m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are West US Highway 84, US 84, State Highway 153. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 176.9 miles from Waco, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $53.44 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 1 meaningful break 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 353.7 miles you will encounter 16 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 118.3 miles (US 67; US 84; US 183; US 377 / Early Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 142 miles (US 84; US 283 / Wallis Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 220.1 miles (TX 153 / State Highway 153): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
The route from Waco, TX to Lubbock, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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