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
39
Shortest
4h
With Parks Nearby
39
Weekend trip
14 total in this range
Stanton, TX
4h 5m233.8 mi one way
West Odessa, TX
4h 41m266.6 mi one way
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.
Murphy, TX
6h 41m367.3 mi one way
Long-haul ideas
25 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.
Schertz, TX
9h 3m516 mi one way
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
Stanton, TX
4h 5m233.8 mi one way
El Paso, TX
8h 17m417.8 mi one way
West Odessa, TX
4h 41m266.6 mi one way
Schertz, TX
9h 3m516 mi one way
El Paso, TX
8h 17m417.8 mi one way
Corpus Christi, TX
11h 20m650 mi one way
Arlington, TX
6h 23m351.4 mi one way
The Colony, TX
6h 24m349.6 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.