Abilene to Lubbock drive: Distance, time & best stops
The distance from Abilene to Lubbock by car is 163 miles, with a 2h34m driving time. The best road trip stops on the Abilene to Lubbock drive are the National WASP WWII Museum, Post TX and the Texas Air Museum.
Planning an Abilene to Lubbock road trip itinerary
The Abilene to Lubbock drive connects two largely unsung cities in Texas.
The first port of call for many visitors in Abilene TX is Frontier Texas, a museum about life in the Old West. Unlike many dreary local history museums, Frontier Texas uses state of the art technology to be as interactive as possible, and the scope is much grander than the immediate local region.
The other really interesting attraction in Abilene TX is the National Center For Children’s Illustrated Literature, which collects the original artwork from beloved children’s books.
For Abilene accommodation deals, compare prices here.
Lubbock is home to the Texas Tech University, which plays host to the National Ranching Heritage Center. This explains the history and culture of ranching across Texas and further afield.
There’s also the Museum of Texas Tech University, which has dinosaurs and a planetarium. Perhaps the most interesting attraction, though, is the Buddy Holly Center, which celebrates the local boy music star who died tragically early.
For something a little cuter, you can visit the prairie dogs at Prairie Dog Town Park.
Good Lubbock accommodation options include the good value La Quinta and the personality-packed Cotton Court Hotel.
Abilene to Lubbock distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Abilene to Lubbock is 163 miles. That makes for an approximate driving time of two hours and 34 minutes. The quickest route is along the I-20, then the US-84.
The best stops to add to an Abilene to Lubbock road trip itinerary are the National WASP WWII Museum, Post TX and the Texas Air Museum.
Abilene to Lubbock road trip attractions: National WASP WWII Museum
The National WASP WWII Museum in Sweetwater TX takes a look at World War II from an unusual angle. This aviation museum celebrates the efforts and achievements of the Women Airforce Service Pilots. When qualifies pilots were in short supply after Pearl Harbor, these women took on the task of delivering planes to the training bases in the South. They also flight-tested repaired planes before they were returned to active service.
The museum tells their story amid the planes on display.
Best stops between Abilene TX and Lubbock TX: Post TX
The town of Post TX should be regarded as a handy journey-breaker rather than a destination in its own right. There are a couple of decent attractions here, however. The Garza County Historical Museum covers vast periods, from pre-history to 20th century military history. The OS Ranch Museum, meanwhile, houses the eclectic collection of art and artefacts brought together by well-traveled Post resident Giles McCrary.
Abilene TX to Lubbock TX drive: Texas Air Museum
Just to the north of Slaton TX, the Texas Air Museum is only open on Saturdays, although private visits are available on request. The focus here is on military aviation, with exhibits from World War II as well as the Korean, Vietnam and Gulf Wars. Among all the vintage warplanes, you’ll find pilot suits, dioramas and a Gemini training capsule used by astronaut Gus Grissom.
More Abilene TX road trips
Abilene to Amarillo | Abilene to Austin | Abilene TX to Dallas | Abilene to El Paso | Abilene to Fort Worth | Abilene to Houston | Abilene TX to Midland TX | Abilene TX to Odessa TX | Abilene to San Angelo | Abilene to San Antonio.
More Lubbock road trips
Lubbock to Albuquerque | Lubbock to Amarillo | Lubbock to Austin | Dallas to Lubbock | Houston to Lubbock.