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Transportation

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The transportation infrastructure that converges in Lubbock establishes it as a “Hub City.” Lubbock is home to the Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport, which provides major carrier service across the country and around the world. More than 60 commercial arrivals and departures take place each day serving 1.2 million travelers annually. Major interstates and highways, including Interstate 27, connect the city to two major east-west Interstate systems: Interstate 20 and Interstate 40. Lubbock is located on the main line of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway that connects the city to major metropolitan areas of the Central and Western United States.

AIR

The Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport (LBB)

serves as the regional airport to the South Plains area. With advantages such as ease of enplaning and deplaning, the Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport also has the ability to get commuters to Dallas or Houston within an hour. With major airlines including Southwest, American and United Airlines, the Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport offers direct flights to the following cities:

  • Dallas
  • Albuquerque
  • Austin
  • Las Vegas
  • Houston
  • Denver
  • Phoenix

The Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport is a U.S. Customs International Port of Entry with a resident U.S. Customs Port Director, allowing it to function internationally and thereby be a major asset to anyone wishing to have a global presence. Oversized and heavy lift air cargo operations can also be carried out by this facility.

The Federal Aviation Administration has designated LBB as a small-hub airport. The Air Traffic Control Tower operates 24 hours, seven days a week to accommodate air traffic on three runways (17R-35L, 17L-35R and 8-26). North to south : 150 × 11,500 feet East to west: 150 × 8,001 feet. The LBB is a U.S. Customs International Port of Entry with a resident U.S. Customs Port Director, allowing it to function internationally and thereby be a major asset to anyone wishing to have a global presence. For more airport information click here.

Lubbock is home to two fixed base operators that work within the LBB property. Chaparral Aviation is Lubbock’s longest-running and largest air charter company featuring prestigious corporate, passenger charter and freight service. The aircraft fleet includes Lear Jet, Falcon 200 and two types of King Airs. Chaparral Avaiation is on call 24 hours Monday through Friday and from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday through Sunday. It is also Lubbock’s longest-running and largest air ambulance company.

RAIL

With service provided by multiple shortline railroads and BNSF Railway, Lubbock is connected to markets throughout the United States and Canada. In October 2013, BNSF announced plans to develop a $28 million logistics center in Sweetwater at a crucial intersection with Union Pacific’s Fort Worth-to-El Paso route. The new facility is intended to serve supply chain logistics for the West Texas energy sector, and it signals the railroad’s confidence that freight traffic along this stretch of BNSF track is positioned for future growth.

Lubbock Short Lines

PLAINSMAN SWITCHING COMPANY

  • Located in downtown Lubbock where it interchanges with BNSF Railroad & the Union Pacific Railroad
  • Currently building a trainload facility to serve customers that do not have rail access onsite

WEST TEXAS & LUBBOCK RAILWAY

  • Operate 107 miles of railroad on two lines extending from Lubbock to Seagraves & Whiteface, Texas
  • Connections to  BNSF Railroad & the Union Pacific Railroad in Lubbock

Lubbock Rail Port

The Lubbock Rail Port, a 526-acre tract of land located just five miles north of the Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport, provides convenient access to Interstate 27 (I-27), and the BNSF Railway. One short-line railroad and BNSF Railways link the city to the metropolitan areas of the Central and Western United States.

ROAD

Lubbock is located between two major east-west interstates. I-27 connects with I-40 120 miles to the North and US-87 and US-84 connect to I-20 120 miles to the south. Whether visitors are traveling inside the city or venturing beyond, the Lubbock area’s transportation infrastructure is quick and accessible. Major locations in the city can be accessed easily with Loop 289 or the Marsha Sharp Freeway, which connects the main thoroughfares in all directions.

Truck Freight

There are 26 truck freight carriers located in Lubbock . These include both inter- and intra-state services. Lubbock has developed into a regional warehousing and distribution center due to its excellent location and interstate highway connections.

Bus Service

Lubbock is served by Citibus, a public transportation service that has fixed routes to all major retail, medical, educational and employment areas within the city. For long distance travel, Greyhound services a location in Lubbock.