In most cities, “too far to drive” means crossing town, dealing with traffic, or needing a playlist longer than 20 minutes. In Lubbock, the definition is much more emotional.

On paper, nothing in Lubbock is far. The math will always tell you it’s 10–15 minutes away. The problem is that Lubbock doesn’t operate on mileage. It operates on vibes.

Ten minutes is fine. Ten minutes is normal. Ten minutes is basically across the street. You won’t even complain about it…yet.

Photo by Giorgio Trovato on Unsplash

Fifteen minutes, however, requires a pause. You’ll ask at least one follow-up question. Is it right off the Loop? Do I have to make a left turn across traffic? Will there be construction for no visible reason? Suddenly, the drive feels…heavy. You want to bail. Bad.

Once you hit 20 minutes, the answer is almost always no. That’s not a drive, that’s a friggin’ trip. At that point, people start asking logistical questions like, “Do they have food there?” and “Is it worth it?” as if they’re preparing to cross state lines instead of going to Levelland.

Read More: What Annoys Lubbock Residents? A Humorous Community Reflection

There are exceptions, of course. Lubbock residents will gladly drive any distance for good food, cheap gas, or a friend they haven’t seen since high school, BUT only if they really mean it.

Photo by Atish Sewmangel on Unsplash

The weather also plays a major role. Add wind, cold, rain, or dust, and even five minutes can feel unreasonable. You’ll hear things like, “I’d go, but it’s kind of far,” while staring at a map that clearly says eight minutes.

In Lubbock, “too far” isn’t about distance. It’s about effort. And sometimes, that effort is simply putting on real pants. I don’t know about you guys, but my bed is pretty dang comfy.

Keep scrolling for more silly Lubbock fun in the galleries below…

4 Awesome Weekend Getaways Not Far From Lubbock

Here’s a list of cool places you can spend the weekend that aren’t too far from home.

Gallery Credit: Chrissy

The Five Stages of Living in Lubbock: From Denial to Acceptance

If you think you’ve never been through this, you’re lying to yourself.

Gallery Credit: Chrissy