Why Lubbock’s 15-minute Rule Is More Folklore Than Fact

Sometimes, it seems like our city motto is, "It's only 15 minutes away!" We've basically all muttered that phrase more than a dozen times. The idea is that pretty much anywhere you need to get in town, from the airport to the mall, to the flea market, is only a breezy quarter-hour drive, at the most.

Lubbock's 15-Minute Myth

If you've lived here long enough, then you know that's a straight-up myth. The 15-minute rule doesn't account for terrible drivers, red lights that hold you hostage far too long, and trains that crawl by like molasses. OH, and we can't forget the inevitable construction zones that seem to pop up like prairie dogs on every major road at the most inconvenient time. Plus, there's also always the chance of a rogue haboob that hits right in the middle of 5 o'clock traffic.

So, Why Do We Say It?

The "15-minute drive" is honestly just Lubbock folklore. It's right up there with everyone's story of how their grandmother dated Buddy Holly, or how they let Patrick Mahomes borrow a pencil in class, or how they grew up next door to Natalie Maines. Are all the stories true? Probably not. Are they going anywhere? Heck no.

Read More: What Teenagers Learned From Lubbock's South Plains Mall In The 90s

It Is What It Is

Let's be real, guys. Sometimes, it takes 20 minutes or even 30 to get to your final destination in Lubbock. It's not because things are further away than we think; it's because life here really doesn't care about whether or not we're on time...

You can use this article as a get-out-of-jail-free card next time you're boss is hassling you for being late when you ONLY live 15 minutes away...

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