Trip from Amarillo, TX to Alief, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 25, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
10h 51m
Distance
602.5 mi
970 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$90
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Amarillo, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Alief, TX
Thomas balabaud
Trip Overview
Amarillo, TX to Alief, TX is 602.5 miles and takes about 10h 51m via Central East Freeway and US Highway 287, with a fuel budget near $87 and enough daylight to finish in a day, though it's best split over two days. This route is a long-haul drive that stays within Texas, beginning in the Great Plains and ending in the same region. Given its length, planning for an overnight stop is wise to make the most of your time on the road and arrive refreshed. It's a straightforward trip for those looking to cover significant ground efficiently.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
3 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
301.2 miles from Amarillo, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 5h 23m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Central East Freeway | 99.2 mi | 1h 46m |
| North South Freeway | 84.6 mi | 1h 27m |
| US Highway 287 | 81.8 mi | 1h 27m |
| US 287 | 77.2 mi | 1h 21m |
| East State Highway 6 | 46.6 mi | 46m |
| US Highway 287 East | 40.5 mi | 42m |
| US 290 | 35.4 mi | 40m |
| North Earl Rudder Freeway | 30.1 mi | 31m |
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~2,789 veh/hr typical · worst 3,569
Quietest
2 AM
~423 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
Averaged across 96 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Amarillo, TX and Alief, TX.
Start on I 40 Business; Original US Route 66; US 60
Turn right
Take the ramp
Merge onto Loop 335
Turn left onto East Interstate Drive
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 40; US 287
Take the exit onto US 287
Turn slight right onto US 287
Continue on US 287
Continue on US 287
Continue on US 287
Continue on US 287
Continue on US 287
Continue on US 70; US 183; US 287
Continue on US 287
Keep slight right at fork onto US 287
Merge onto I 44; US 277; US 281; US 287
Continue on US 277; US 281; US 287
Continue on US 281; US 287
Keep slight right at fork onto US 82; US 287
Keep slight right at fork onto US 82; US 287
Continue on US 81; US 287
Merge onto I 35W; US 287
Take the exit
Merge onto I 35W TEXpress
Merge onto I 35W
Continue on I 35; US 77
Take the exit
Turn straight onto North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Turn left onto US 77 Bus
Continue on Loop 484
Continue on TX 6
Continue on TX 6
Continue on TX 6
Continue on TX 6
Continue on TX 6
Continue on US 79; TX 6
Continue on US 190; TX 6
Continue on US 190; TX 6
Continue on TX 6
Continue on US 290 Business
Turn left
Merge onto US 290
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto SHT
Keep slight left at fork onto SHT
Take the exit
Turn straight onto BW 8
Take the ramp
Keep slight left at fork
Continue on this road
Merge onto WPT
Take the exit
Turn left onto West Houston Center Boulevard
Turn right onto Alief Clodine Road
Turn left onto Cook Road
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 10-hour drive, it's recommended to split the 602.5 miles over two days, perhaps stopping around the halfway point. Aim to depart early in the morning to maximize daylight driving and allow for stops. With an estimated fuel cost of $87, keep an eye on your fuel gauge, particularly before entering longer stretches with fewer services. Plan for at least three stops to stretch your legs and refuel, ensuring you're comfortable for the duration of the drive.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 133 miles or 2h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 301.2 miles or 5h 23m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 301.2 miles or 5h 23m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 9h 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alief, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
Open the route before leaving Amarillo, TX so your first major turns are already loaded.
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Amarillo, TX
Aim for roughly 301 miles and 5.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Alief, TX
Aim for roughly 301 miles and 5.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
199 mi into the route
Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch
This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.
Second major stop
Overnight candidate
398 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Mansfield, TXOvernight Options
Night 1
301 mi · about 5.4h in
A practical overnight split lands near Plainview, TX after about 301 miles or 5.4 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
A short stop after about 133 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 301.2 miles from Amarillo, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Central East Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 99.2 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 301 miles or 5.4 hours on the road.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Love's Travel Stop
Wise County Northbound
Wichita County Southbound Rest Area
Texas Travel Information Center at Wichita Falls
Pilot Travel Center
Love's Travel Stop
Flying J Travel Center
Donley County Northbound Rest Area
Safety Rest Areas: Hardeman County Northbound
Safety Rest Areas: Hardeman County Southbound
Hill County Northbound Rest Area
Rest Area
Buc-ee's
Wichita County Northbound Rest Area
Texas Travel Information Center at Amarillo and Safety Rest Area
Love's Travel Stop
Rest Area
Service Plaza
QuikTrip
National Truck Stop Amarillo
Pilot Travel Center
Pilot Travel Center
Love's Travel Stop
Road Ranger
Buc-ee's
QuikTrip
QuikTrip
Petro Stopping Centers
Love's Travel Stop
Love's Travel Stop
Donley County Southbound Rest Area
Hill County Southbound Rest Area
Pilot Travel Center
Road Ranger
Flying J Travel Center
Love's Travel Stop
Buc-ee's
Buc-ee's
Love's Travel Stop
TA
TA
Love's Travel Stop
Service Plaza
Service Plaza
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 315 decision points cluster between mile 423 and 599.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the exit toward US 77 Business: Elm Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Turn left toward US 290 East, TX 6 South
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward SHT North, SHT South: Sam Houston Tollway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward SHT South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the ramp toward WPT West, SHT South
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$90.45 one way
$180.89 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $100.08 | $200.15 |
| premium | $4.57 | $108.28 | $216.57 |
| diesel | $6.28 | $148.87 | $297.74 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.91
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$90
Tolls
$1
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$221–$331
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 210.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $63 in charging · 2 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 180.8 | 2 | $63.26 | $28.92 |
| Efficient EV | 150.6 | 1 | $52.72 | $24.10 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 241 | 3 | $84.35 | $38.56 |
Gas CO2
211 kg
EV CO2
70 kg (67% less)
Plan for 2 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Amarillo, TX
Afternoon in Amarillo on Sunday
Local time
3:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Mostly Sunny
Destination
Alief, TX
Afternoon in Alief on Sunday
Local time
3:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Sunny
60°F
Mansfield, TX
398 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
3 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
10h 51m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Waco Mammoth National Monument
National Monument
Standing as tall as 14 feet and weighing 20,000 pounds, Columbian mammoths roamed across what is present-day Texas thousands of years ago. Today, the fossil specimens represent the nation's first and...
Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument
National Monument
13,000 years ago, Alibates Flint was used by mammoth hunters as a source of flint for tools. Learn how important this site was to the survival, commerce, and culture of the people of the High Plains.
Lake Meredith National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
Set within the wide‑open Texas Plains, Lake Meredith National Recreation Area offers a peaceful retreat in the heart of rugged grasslands. Over thousands of years, the Canadian River carved dramatic 2...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This is a trip where you'll spend 93% of your time on highways, covering 602.5 miles. You'll encounter a long stretch of 99.2 miles on Central East Freeway before transitioning to other major roads like North South Freeway and US Highway 287. Expect a significant amount of cruising on high-speed roads, with fewer exits for extended periods, especially during the longest non-stop segment.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Central East Freeway and North South Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 423 miles in.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 31 significant decision points across 602.5 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 423 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 552.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 588.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
Total Climb
27 ft
Total Descent
3,622 ft
Highest Point
3,670 ft
Elevation Range
3,595 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Amarillo, TX
Full guide →Founded 1887
Amarillo, which means "yellow" in Spanish, is the center of the Texas Panhandle at the edge of the Great Plains.
Top landmarks
- • Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway 5000 — class of 1 American 2-10-4 locomotive (preserved)
- • Santa Fe Building — historic place in Amarillo, Potter County, Texas
- • Courtyard by Marriott, Downtown Amarillo — Historic building and Hotel in Amarillo, Texas
Arriving in Alief, TX
Full guide →Founded 1894
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Frequently Asked Questions
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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