The current version of SH 30, the second route with that designation, was established in 1960.

SH 30 was a route proposed on October 8, 1917, to run from Wichita Falls to Abilene.

[2] On December 18, 1917, an intercounty highway from Abilene to Paint Rock was designated.

[6] The old route became part of rerouted SH 23, with the section south of Menard cancelled.

SH 30 may be part of the future Interstate 14 corridor as the highway has a more direct route between Bryan–College Station and Huntsville over US 190.