Road Trips from Amarillo, TX
Amarillo sets you up for a variety of drives, from quick local excursions to longer hauls. You've got options for shorter trips under three hours, some with a more winding feel, and also a number of longer, highway-focused routes extending across the state. Several parks are accessible, including national monuments and recreation areas, making it easy to incorporate nature. If you're looking for an overnight adventure, there are also destinations over eight hours away that are worth the journey.
Total Routes
15
Shortest
2.2h
With Parks Nearby
15
Full-day getaway
Weekend trip
6 total in this range
Fort Worth, TX
6h 6m340.3 mi one way
This 6.1-hour trip is a straightforward, 'mostly highway' drive. It's a good option if you want to get to the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex efficiently. While it offers park access near your starting point, the drive itself is less about scenic terrain and more about covering distance.
Burkburnett, TX
4h 1m217 mi one way
At 4 hours, this 'highway-focused drive' is a mid-range option. It's longer than the quick trip to Lubbock but shorter than heading to El Paso. Like many Amarillo departures, it provides access to Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument and Lake Meredith National Recreation Area.
Arlington, TX
6h 23m351.4 mi one way
This 6.4-hour route is a 'highway-focused drive' that gets you to Arlington. It's comparable in time to Fort Worth, making it a solid choice for reaching the metroplex area. Park access is available near Amarillo at Alibates Flint Quarries and Lake Meredith.
Plano, TX
6h 33m362.5 mi one way
A 6.6-hour 'highway-focused drive' takes you to Plano. This is one of several options around the 6-hour mark, making it a substantial but manageable trip from Amarillo. You start with access to Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument and Lake Meredith National Recreation Area.
Frisco, TX
6h 29m349.4 mi one way
This 6.5-hour trip is another 'highway-focused drive' heading towards the Dallas area. It's very similar in length to drives to Fort Worth or Plano, offering a direct route. The drive includes nearby park access to Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument and Lake Meredith National Recreation Area.
Long-haul ideas
8 total in this range
El Paso, TX
8h 17m417.8 mi one way
For a longer journey, this 8.3-hour 'highway-focused drive' to El Paso has a higher drive score of 9. It's an overnight-recommended trip, offering more time on the road than the drives to Fort Worth or Lubbock. You'll have access to Chamizal National Memorial along with parks near Amarillo.
Cedar Park, TX
8h 31m475.8 mi one way
This 8.5-hour 'highway-focused drive' is an overnight-recommended option heading south. It's longer than the trips to El Paso or Copperas Cove, but offers a substantial journey. You'll have park access near Amarillo at Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument and Lake Meredith National Recreation Area.
Corpus Christi, TX
11h 20m650 mi one way
This is your longest option at 11.3 hours, labeled a 'long-distance drive' and recommended for an overnight stay. It's significantly further than destinations like El Paso or Cedar Park. You'll pass by San Antonio Missions National Historical Park en route, in addition to local parks.
Copperas Cove, TX
8h 1m445.8 mi one way
This 8-hour 'highway-focused drive' is recommended for an overnight trip. The terrain shifts to gently rolling as you approach Copperas Cove, offering a different feel than flatter routes. It falls between the El Paso and Cedar Park drives in terms of duration.
Alamo, TX
13h 9m745.3 mi one way
The longest drive at 13.2 hours, this 'long-distance drive' is recommended for an overnight trip. It's the furthest option from Amarillo. Along the way, you can visit San Antonio Missions National Historical Park and Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park, in addition to parks near your origin.
Browse by Mood
El Paso, TX
8h 17m417.8 mi one way
Cedar Park, TX
8h 31m475.8 mi one way
Fort Worth, TX
6h 6m340.3 mi one way
Corpus Christi, TX
11h 20m650 mi one way
El Paso, TX
8h 17m417.8 mi one way
Cedar Park, TX
8h 31m475.8 mi one way
Fort Worth, TX
6h 6m340.3 mi one way
Corpus Christi, TX
11h 20m650 mi one way
When to Go
Spring
Spring offers pleasant driving conditions for all routes, with opportunities to explore parks like Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument before summer heat.
Summer
Summer is ideal for the longer, highway-focused drives to destinations like El Paso or Corpus Christi, with parks offering potential respite from the heat.
Fall
Fall provides comfortable temperatures for the 'turn-heavy local drive' to Lubbock or the longer highway routes, with park foliage adding to the scenery.
Winter
Winter drives are manageable, especially the highway-focused options, though park visits might be more limited depending on weather near destinations like Lake Meredith.
Starting Somewhere Else?
Other nearby cities with their own escape planners.
Ready to plan?
Pick any destination above for full turn-by-turn directions, fuel cost, rest stops, and weather. Or visit the Amarillo, TX city hub for all incoming and outgoing routes.