Amarillo, TX to Fulshear, TX is 587.1 miles and takes about 10h 43m via Central East Freeway and US Highway 287, with a fuel budget near $92 and a recommended two days to complete. This long-haul drive spans across Texas, moving from the open expanses of the Great Plains region to another area within the same vast landscape. Given its length, it's best tackled over two days to avoid fatigue and allow for comfortable travel. Plan for a significant amount of time on the road, focusing on efficient progress through the state.
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
293.6 miles from Amarillo, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 5h 15m 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
North Earl Rudder Freeway
30.1 mi
31m
FM 359
24.1 mi
35m
Longest stretch:
Central East Freeway
— 99.2 mi, about 1h 46m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 14 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~2,798 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,547
Quietest
2 AM
~420 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Fulshear, TX.
1
Start on I 40 Business; Original US Route 66; US 60
5.1 mi·6 min·East Amarillo Boulevard
2
Turn right
194 ft·5 sec
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
4
Merge onto Loop 335
1.9 mi·2 min·North Lakeside Drive
5
Turn left onto East Interstate Drive
0.1 mi·16 sec·East Interstate Drive
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·20 sec
7
Merge onto I 40; US 287
2.2 mi·2 min·I 40; US 287
8
Take the exit onto US 287
77 mi·1 hr 21 min·US 287
Exit 78Toward US 287 South: Fort Worth
9
Turn slight right onto US 287
14 mi·13 min·US Highway 287
10
Continue on US 287
0.7 mi·58 sec·Burnett Street
11
Continue on US 287
14 mi·14 min·US Highway 287
12
Continue on US 287
2.8 mi·3 min·Avenue F Northwest
13
Continue on US 287
54 mi·58 min·US Highway 287
14
Continue on US 287
4.1 mi·4 min·Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on US 70; US 183; US 287
41 mi·42 min·US Highway 287 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on US 287
4.6 mi·4 min·Northwest Freeway
17
Keep slight right at fork onto US 287
0.6 mi·42 sec·Northwest Freeway
Toward I 44 West, US 277 South, US 281 South, US 287 South: Wichita Falls
18
Merge onto I 44; US 277; US 281; US 287
2.5 mi·3 min·Central Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on US 277; US 281; US 287
0.9 mi·1 min·Lloyd Ruby Overpass
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on US 281; US 287
0.9 mi·1 min·Central East Freeway
21
Keep slight right at fork onto US 82; US 287
1.8 mi·1 min·Central East Freeway
22
Keep slight right at fork onto US 82; US 287
97 mi·1 hr 43 min·Central East Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on US 81; US 287
4.6 mi·4 min·US 81; US 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Merge onto I 35W; US 287
4.5 mi·4 min·North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.6 mi·33 sec
Toward I 35W Express Toll SouthUse the slight left lane.
26
Merge onto I 35W TEXpress
4.0 mi·3 min·I 35W TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Merge onto I 35W
85 mi·1 hr 27 min·North South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Continue on I 35; US 77
0.1 mi·8 sec·North Jack Kultgen Expressway
29
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Exit 337Toward US 77 Business: Elm AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Turn straight onto North Jack Kultgen Expressway
0.1 mi·16 sec·North Jack Kultgen Expressway
31
Turn left onto US 77 Bus
1.0 mi·1 min·North Loop Drive
32
Continue on Loop 484
2.7 mi·3 min·Marlin Highway
33
Continue on TX 6
9.1 mi·9 min·East State Highway 6
34
Continue on TX 6
2.1 mi·2 min·North Memorial Street
35
Continue on TX 6
37 mi·37 min·East State Highway 6
36
Continue on TX 6
2.2 mi·3 min·North Main Street
37
Continue on TX 6
6.2 mi·6 min·North State Highway 6
38
Continue on US 79; TX 6
2.1 mi·2 min·North Market Street
39
Continue on US 190; TX 6
14 mi·14 min·South State Highway 6
40
Continue on US 190; TX 6
30 mi·31 min·North Earl Rudder Freeway
41
Continue on TX 6
22 mi·25 min·State Highway 6
Use the straight / right lanes.
42
Continue on US 290 Business
1.3 mi·2 min·US 290 Business
Toward US 290 East, TX 6 SouthUse the straight lane.
43
Turn left onto US 290 Bus
1.0 mi·1 min·Austin Street
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
44
Continue on US 290 Bus
1.6 mi·2 min·US 290 Business
45
Turn right onto FM 359
19 mi·27 min·FM 359
46
At end of road, turn left onto FM 359
0.4 mi·33 sec·2nd Street
47
Continue on FM 359
0.4 mi·32 sec·Farm-to-Market Road 359
48
Continue on FM 359
2.7 mi·4 min·Farm-to-Market Road 359
49
Continue on FM 359
0.2 mi·27 sec·Bains Street
50
Turn left onto US 90; FM 359
0.4 mi·36 sec·Highway Boulevard
51
Turn right onto FM 359
0.9 mi·1 min·Waller Avenue
52
Continue on FM 359
5.4 mi·8 min·FM 359
Use the left lane.
53
Continue on FM 359
1.2 mi·1 min·Main Street
54
Turn left onto 1st Street
371 ft·18 sec·1st Street
55
Turn right onto Wilson Drive
377 ft·18 sec·Wilson Drive
56
Turn right onto FM 359; FM 1093
35 ft·0 sec·Farm to Market 1093 Road
57
Turn slight left
243 ft·8 sec
58
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 10-hour drive, splitting it over two days is highly recommended to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Aim to depart early in the morning on your first day to maximize daylight hours. With 3 planned stops, you can distribute them across your journey, perhaps after about 3-4 hours of driving each day. Be mindful of the fuel cost estimate of $92, and keep an eye on your gauge, especially during the longest stretch of 99.2 miles on Central East Freeway, where services might be less frequent between exits. Ensure your vehicle is in good condition before departing on this extensive Texas traverse.
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 3 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 293.6 miles from Amarillo, TX, or about 5h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.2 miles.
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 129 miles or 2h 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 293.6 miles or 5h 15m 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 293.6 miles or 5h 15m
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 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fulshear, 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 294 miles and 5.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Fulshear, TX
Aim for roughly 294 miles and 5.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 129 miles from Amarillo, TX.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 3 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Central East Freeway for about 99.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 221.5 and 554.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
221.5 mi into trip|~3h 57m in|US 287 / Northwest Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 287 / Northwest Freeway toward I 44 West, US 277 South, US 281 South, US 287 South: Wichita Falls
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 44 West, US 277 South, US 281 South, U...
6
228.1 mi into trip|~4h 5m in|US 82; US 287 / Central East Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 82; US 287 / Central East Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
333.8 mi into trip|~5h 59m in
Take the exit toward I 35W Express Toll South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 35W Express Toll South
7
423 mi into trip|~7h 31m in
Take the exit toward US 77 Business: Elm Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 337
Toward US 77 Business: Elm Avenue
6
554.1 mi into trip|~9h 53m in|US 290 Bus / Austin Street
Turn left onto US 290 Bus / Austin Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$89.13 one way
$178.26 round trip
$3.86/gal25.4 MPG avg205 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.25
$98.24
$196.47
premium
$4.58
$105.86
$211.73
diesel
$5.35
$123.66
$247.32
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$89
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$219–$329
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 205.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $62 in charging
· 2 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
176.1
2
$61.65
$28.18
Efficient EV
146.8
1
$51.37
$23.48
EV Truck/SUV
234.8
2
$82.19
$37.57
Gas CO2
205 kg
EV CO2
69 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Jun 2, 2026
Origin
Amarillo, TX
Afternoon
in Amarillo on Wednesday
Local time
2:44 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Mostly Clear
SSE 10 to 15 mph8% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued June 1 at 10:42PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Destination
Fulshear, TX
Afternoon
in Fulshear on Wednesday
Local time
2:44 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Partly Cloudy
SE 0 to 5 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued June 1 at 10:42PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
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
10 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 43m 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...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 425.1
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.
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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend 94% of this 587.1-mile trip on highways, with the longest continuous stretch covering 99.2 miles on Central East Freeway. Expect to transition to surface roads for the final part of your drive. The extended time on high-speed routes means you'll encounter frequent exits and merges as you navigate through various towns and cities across the state. This profile suggests a predominantly cruising experience with periods of increased traffic and reduced speeds closer to urban areas.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
58 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99.2 mi on Central East Freeway.
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 221.5 miles in near US 287 / Northwest Freeway.
Driving Effort10/10
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 25 significant decision points across 587.1 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 221.5 miles (US 287 / Northwest Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 228.1 miles (US 82; US 287 / Central East Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 333.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The longest stretch is about 99.2 miles on Central East Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 294 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 42 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Fulshear, TX before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 3 meaningful breaks. There are 42 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 221.5 miles (US 287 / Northwest Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 228.1 miles (US 82; US 287 / Central East Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 333.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument, Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument and Lake Meredith National Recreation Area. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 10.7 hours each way, a round trip means 21.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Fulshear, TX before the return drive.
