Road Trip: Austin to Lubbock, Texas

Are you ready to hit the road for a fun-filled trip from Austin to Lubbock, Texas? The distance from Austin to Lubbock is approximately 400 miles with a driving time of about 6 hours. But, the drive time can vary depending on the route you take and traffic patterns. Let’s explore the different driving options you have:

Route Options

Fastest Route: on I-35N & US-84W (405 miles)

Taking I-35 North and US-84 West is the fastest, but longest, route. You’ll cover approximately 405 miles and the driving time is about 6 hours at optimum speed. This route will take you through some beautiful Texas scenery and through the city of Abilene. Do note that this route often has heavy traffic during peak hours which can add some time to the estimated driving time.

Slowest Route: on TX-71W & US-83N (450 miles)

If you have more time on your hands and are looking to sightsee, you can take the longer route. This route will take you on TX-71 West and US-83 to Lubbock. It’s approximately 450 miles and can take about 7 or 8 hours at optimum speed. However, this route will take you through beautiful hill country scenery, small towns, and lake country.

The best times to drive

If you are looking to avoid traffic, we recommend taking I-35N and US-84W during weekdays, outside of the peak rush hour time. For the TX-71W and US-83N route, there isn’t as much traffic, but staying outside the rush hour time periods is still best.

During rush hours, the driving time on the I-35N and US-84W route could take up to 7 hours in both directions. On the other hand, during non-peak hours, the driving time could be reduced to 5.5 hours. During off-peak periods, the TX-71W and US-83N route should take around 6.5 hours, while it could take up to 9 hours during rush hour periods.

No matter which route you choose, make sure to plan accordingly, especially during holiday or peak travel times. Safe travels!