Amarillo, TX to Kaufman, TX is 398.5 miles and takes about 7h 11m via US Highway 287, with a fuel budget near $58 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Texas, beginning in the Great Plains region and continuing through similar terrain to your destination. With 95% of the drive on highways, expect a straightforward and efficient transit. Given the duration and distance, this route is well-suited for a single day of driving, allowing you to reach Kaufman without needing an overnight stop.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
199.3 miles from Amarillo, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 34m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Central East Freeway
99.2 mi
1h 46m
US Highway 287
81.8 mi
1h 27m
US 287
77.2 mi
1h 21m
US Highway 287 East
40.5 mi
42m
C F Hawn Freeway
29.5 mi
32m
SH 183 TEXpress
15 mi
14m
I 820 TEXpress
5.5 mi
5m
Northwest Freeway
5.2 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Central East Freeway
— 99.2 mi, about 1h 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Amarillo, TX and Kaufman, 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
2.3 mi·2 min·North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.4 mi·24 sec
Exit 57Toward I 820Use the slight right lane.
26
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Toward I 820 EastUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
27
Merge onto I 820
0.4 mi·24 sec·Northeast Loop
28
Take the exit
0.1 mi·7 sec
Toward I 820 Express East Toll
29
Merge onto I 820 TEXpress
5.5 mi·5 min·I 820 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Continue on TX 121 TEXpress; TX 183 TEXpress
4.4 mi·4 min·SH 121/183 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Continue on TX 183 TEXpress
12 mi·11 min·SH 183 TEXpress
Toward TX 183 Express EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 183 TEXpress
3.3 mi·3 min·SH 183 TEXpress
33
Merge onto TX 183
0.8 mi·50 sec·John W Carpenter Freeway
34
Merge onto I 35E
3.9 mi·4 min·North Stemmons Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Take the exit
0.1 mi·22 sec
Exit 429BToward Continental Avenue, Commerce Street WestUse the slight right lane.
36
Turn straight onto North Stemmons Freeway
0.1 mi·18 sec·North Stemmons Freeway
37
Turn left onto Continental Avenue
0.3 mi·49 sec·Continental Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
38
Turn left onto McKinney Avenue
0.2 mi·24 sec·McKinney Avenue
39
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward US 75 North
40
Merge onto Spur 366
0.4 mi·37 sec·Woodall Rodgers Freeway
41
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·49 sec
Toward I 45 South: HoustonUse the slight right lane.
42
Merge onto I 45
3.1 mi·3 min·Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
43
Keep slight right at fork onto US 175
30 mi·32 min·C F Hawn Freeway
Toward US 175 South: KaufmanUse the straight / slight right lanes.
44
Take the exit onto TX 243
0.9 mi·1 min·TX 243
Toward TX 243: Kaufman, Canton
45
Turn right onto TX 243
261 ft·6 sec·North Jackson Street
46
At end of road, turn left onto TX 243
366 ft·8 sec·West Mulberry Street
47
Arrive at destination
TX 243
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7-hour drive, aim for an early morning departure from Amarillo to avoid any potential afternoon traffic. With only 2 planned stops and a budget of around $58 for fuel, you can be flexible with your rest breaks. Consider stopping midway, perhaps around the 3.5-hour mark, to stretch your legs and refuel if needed. The longest continuous stretch is over 99 miles, so be sure to take breaks before you feel fatigued. Since this is a single-day trip, you have the advantage of reaching your destination without needing to book accommodation.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 199.3 miles from Amarillo, TX, or about 3h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.2 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 88 miles or 1h 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 199.3 miles or 3h 34m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kaufman, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Amarillo, TX
This is one driving day of about 398.5 miles and 7h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 88 miles from Amarillo, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 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 32
5 decision points cluster between mile 331.5 and 368 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
331.5 mi into trip|~5h 56m in
Take the exit toward I 820
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 57
Toward I 820
7
332 mi into trip|~5h 56m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 820 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 820 East
8
363 mi into trip|~6h 29m in
Take the exit toward Continental Avenue, Commerce Street West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 429B
Toward Continental Avenue, Commerce Street West
7
364.4 mi into trip|~6h 32m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 45 South: Houston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 45 South: Houston
7
368 mi into trip|~6h 37m in|US 175 / C F Hawn Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 175 / C F Hawn Freeway toward US 175 South: Kaufman
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 175 South: Kaufman
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$54.58 one way
$109.16 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg139 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$60.97
$121.93
premium
$4.23
$66.29
$132.57
diesel
$4.80
$75.24
$150.49
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$55
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 139.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $42 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
119.6
1
$41.84
$19.13
Efficient EV
99.6
1
$34.87
$15.94
EV Truck/SUV
159.4
1
$55.79
$25.50
Gas CO2
139 kg
EV CO2
47 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Amarillo, TX
Evening
in Amarillo on Monday
Local time
7:22 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Mostly Clear
SSE 10 to 15 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 10:46PM CDT until July 17 at 3:45AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 9:36PM CDT until July 19 at 3:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Kaufman, TX
Evening
in Kaufman on Monday
Local time
7:22 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Mostly Cloudy
SSE 5 mph8% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 10:46PM CDT until July 17 at 3:45AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 9:36PM CDT until July 19 at 3:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio 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.
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
7h 11m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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.
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.
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?
This drive is predominantly highway cruising, with 95% of the 398.5 miles on major roads like Central East Freeway and US Highway 287. You'll experience a long stretch of 99.2 miles on Central East Freeway, indicating consistent highway travel for a significant portion of the trip. Surface roads will likely begin closer to your destination in Kaufman. Expect a consistent flow of traffic typical of major US highways for most of your travel time.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
47 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 US Highway 287. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 331.5 miles in.
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 32 significant decision points across 398.5 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 331.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 332 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 363 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
3,670 ft404 ft
Total Climb
82 ft
Total Descent
3,291 ft
Highest Point
3,670 ft
Elevation Range
3,266 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Amarillo, TX to Kaufman, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Commerce Street West along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 11m. Total distance: 398.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 11m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
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 — we found about 32 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 Kaufman, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 32 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 331.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 332 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 363 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — 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 7.2 hours each way, a round trip means 14.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Kaufman, TX before the return drive.
