Origin
Amarillo, TX
Late night in Amarillo on Tuesday
Local time
5:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Amarillo, TX to Little Elm, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
8h 27m
Distance
456.6 mi
735 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$69
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
8h 20m
★
6 AM
8h 27m
8 AM
8h 42m
10 AM
8h 32m
12 PM
8h 31m
3 PM
8h 33m
5 PM
8h 42m
8 PM
8h 23m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Amarillo, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Little Elm, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Amarillo, TX to Little Elm, TX is 456.6 miles and takes about 8h 27m via US Highway 287, with a fuel budget near $69 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within Texas, traversing the Great Plains region. It's a mostly highway trip, making it a straightforward option for getting between these two points. Given the duration and distance, you'll likely want to plan for at least one overnight stop to make the most of the drive. This route is a practical choice for those looking to cover ground efficiently.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
228.3 miles from Amarillo, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 5m 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 |
| US Highway 287 East | 40.5 mi | 42m |
| TX 164 | 14.1 mi | 21m |
| East State Highway 6 | 6.7 mi | 6m |
| 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 Little Elm, 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 78
Toward 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 South
Use 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 337
Toward US 77 Business: Elm Avenue
Use 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
6.7 mi
·
6 min
·
East State Highway 6
34
Turn slight left onto TX 164
14 mi
·
21 min
·
TX 164
35
Turn right onto FM 339
4.1 mi
·
7 min
·
FM 339
36
Keep slight left at fork onto FM 2489
1.9 mi
·
4 min
·
FM 2489
37
Turn right onto Lcr 625
2.5 mi
·
9 min
·
Lcr 625
38
Arrive at destination
Lcr 625
Trip Plan
Given the 8h 27m estimated drive time, breaking this 456.6-mile trip into two days is highly recommended. Aim to depart Amarillo early to make significant progress on day one. Consider stopping around the halfway point, perhaps after about 200-250 miles, to rest for the night. Your fuel budget is estimated at $69, so keep an eye on gas prices as you travel. Watch for the transition to surface roads in the final stretch as you get closer to Little Elm; it's a good indicator that your destination is near.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 228.3 miles from Amarillo, TX, or about 4h 5m 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 100 miles or 1h 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 228.3 miles or 4h 5m 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 228.3 miles or 4h 5m
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 7h 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Little Elm, 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 228 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Little Elm, TX
Aim for roughly 228 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 100 miles from Amarillo, TX.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
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.
Mid-route town
Overnight candidate
228 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 Wichita Falls, TXOvernight Options
Night 1
228 mi · about 4.2h in
A practical overnight split lands near Wichita Falls, TX after about 228 miles or 4.2 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 100 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 228.3 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 228 miles or 4.2 hours on the road.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 195 decision points cluster between mile 9.8 and 423 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
9.8 mi into trip
|
~12m in
|
US 287
Take the exit onto US 287 toward US 287 South: Fort Worth
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 78
Toward US 287 South: Fort Worth
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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$68.99 one way
$137.99 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
160 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $75.52 | $151.04 |
| premium | $4.54 | $81.52 | $163.05 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $100.81 | $201.62 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$69
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$199–$309
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 159.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $48 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 137 | 1 | $47.94 | $21.92 |
| Efficient EV | 114.2 | 1 | $39.95 | $18.26 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 182.6 | 2 | $63.92 | $29.22 |
Gas CO2
160 kg
EV CO2
53 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Little Elm, TX
Late night in Little Elm on Tuesday
Local time
5:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
8 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
8h 27m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway cruising, with 95% of the 456.6 miles on major roadways like Central East Freeway and North South Freeway, before transitioning to US Highway 287. You'll experience a longest stretch of 99.2 miles on Central East Freeway. Expect a consistent feel for most of the trip, with the transition to surface roads happening very late in the drive. The high highway percentage means you'll encounter many exits and potentially some urban merging as you approach your destination.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
38 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 9.8 miles in near US 287.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 19 significant decision points across 456.6 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 9.8 miles (US 287): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; 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.
About the Cities
Starting in Amarillo, TX
Full guide →Amarillo, which means "yellow" in Spanish, is the center of the Texas Panhandle at the edge of the Great Plains.
Arriving in Little Elm, TX
Full guide →City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
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 — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 228 miles on day one.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Little Elm, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 9.8 miles (US 287): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.5 hours each way, a round trip means 16.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Little Elm, TX before the return drive.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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