Amarillo, TX to Marshall, TX is 513 miles and takes about 9 hours 10 minutes via I 20 and US Highway 287, with a fuel budget near $75 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This long-haul drive spans across Texas, starting in the Great Plains and ending in a similar region, meaning you'll be covering a lot of ground within the same state. Given the 9+ hour estimated drive time, it's best to plan for an overnight stop to break up the miles. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, making for a straightforward, albeit lengthy, transit.
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
256.6 miles from Amarillo, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 35m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 20
111 mi
1h 51m
US Highway 287
81.8 mi
1h 27m
US 287
77.2 mi
1h 21m
Central East Freeway
72.5 mi
1h 16m
US Highway 287 East
40.5 mi
42m
West US Highway 380
21.8 mi
25m
US 80
19.8 mi
21m
South Stemmons Freeway
17.1 mi
18m
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 111 mi, about 1h 51m
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,560 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,978
Quietest
2 AM
~246 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 48 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 Marshall, 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
70 mi·1 hr 13 min·Central East Freeway
23
Take the exit
0.1 mi·21 sec
24
Keep slight left at fork
147 ft·4 sec
25
Turn left onto US 380
22 mi·25 min·West US Highway 380
26
Continue on US 380
3.3 mi·4 min·West University Drive
27
Take the exit
288 ft·7 sec
28
Turn straight onto North Interstate 35
0.1 mi·11 sec·North Interstate 35
29
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·18 sec
Toward I 35 SouthUse the straight / left lanes.
30
Merge onto I 35; US 77
1.0 mi·1 min·I 35; US 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Continue on I 35E; US 77
9.8 mi·10 min·I 35E; US 77
Toward I 35E South: DallasUse the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E
17 mi·18 min·South Stemmons Freeway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
33
Take the exit
0.1 mi·10 sec
Exit 440BToward I 635 East, I 635 Express Toll East: Harry Hines BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·29 sec
Toward I 635 East, I 635 Express Toll EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 635 EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Merge onto I 635
4.4 mi·4 min·Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Continue on I 635
4.7 mi·5 min·Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway
Use the right lane.
38
Continue on I 635
11 mi·12 min·Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 6BToward US 80 East: TerrellUse the slight right lane.
40
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward US 80 East: TerrellUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
41
Merge onto US 80
15 mi·16 min·US 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
42
Continue on Spur 557
4.5 mi·4 min·Spur 557
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
43
Merge onto I 20
111 mi·1 hr 51 min·I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
44
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward FM 3251
45
Turn left onto FM 3251
0.8 mi·1 min·FM 3251
46
Turn right onto FM 968
2.7 mi·3 min·FM 968 West
47
Turn right onto US 80
4.7 mi·5 min·US 80
48
Turn right onto North Wellington Street
0.3 mi·44 sec·North Wellington Street
49
Turn left onto West Houston Street
277 ft·5 sec·West Houston Street
50
Arrive at destination
West Houston Street
Trip Plan
For this 513-mile, 9+ hour drive, it's highly recommended to split it over two days. Aim to leave early in the morning on your first day to cover at least half the distance, allowing for a relaxed evening at your overnight stop. You'll have two recommended stops along the way, so plan to take your breaks strategically. Given the long stretches on I 20, keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 111-mile segment where services might be less frequent. The $75 fuel estimate is a good baseline, but check current prices before you depart.
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 256.6 miles from Amarillo, TX, or about 4h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111 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 113 miles or 2h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 256.6 miles or 4h 35m 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 256.6 miles or 4h 35m
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 8h 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Marshall, 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 257 miles and 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Marshall, TX
Aim for roughly 257 miles and 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 113 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 I 20 for about 111 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 351.3 and 373.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
351.3 mi into trip|~6h 19m in
Take the exit toward I 635 East, I 635 Express Toll East: Harry Hines Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 440B
Toward I 635 East, I 635 Express Toll East: Har...
9
351.4 mi into trip|~6h 19m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 635 East, I 635 Express Toll East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 635 East, I 635 Express Toll East
7
351.7 mi into trip|~6h 20m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 635 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 635 East
7
372.9 mi into trip|~6h 43m in
Take the exit toward US 80 East: Terrell
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 6B
Toward US 80 East: Terrell
7
373.5 mi into trip|~6h 45m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 80 East: Terrell
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward US 80 East: Terrell
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$70.29 one way
$140.58 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg180 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$78.52
$157.03
premium
$4.23
$85.36
$170.73
diesel
$4.80
$96.90
$193.80
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$70
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$200–$310
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 179.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $54 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
154
1
$53.89
$24.63
Efficient EV
128.3
1
$44.91
$20.53
EV Truck/SUV
205.3
2
$71.85
$32.84
Gas CO2
180 kg
EV CO2
60 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.
Forecast as of Jul 16, 2026
Origin
Amarillo, TX
Late night
in Amarillo on Monday
Local time
3:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
87°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 10 mph10% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 5:23PM CDT until July 16 at 8:30PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 16 at 5:19PM CDT until July 16 at 5:30PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
Destination
Marshall, TX
Late night
in Marshall on Monday
Local time
3:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 5 mph19% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 5:23PM CDT until July 16 at 8:30PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 16 at 5:19PM CDT until July 16 at 5:30PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
76°F
Lewisville, TX
339 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
5 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
9h 10m 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.
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 trip is predominantly highway driving, with 95% of the route on major roads like I 20 and US Highway 287. You'll encounter one stretch of highway lasting 111 miles on I 20, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent cruising. The transition from highway to surface roads will occur towards the end of your trip, though the exact mileage for this shift isn't specified. Expect a lot of direct, high-speed travel for the majority of your drive.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
50 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 111 mi on I 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and US Highway 287. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 351.3 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 513.2 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 351.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 351.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 351.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The longest stretch is about 111 miles on I 20. 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 257 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 48 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 Marshall, 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 48 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 351.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 351.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 351.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 9.2 hours each way, a round trip means 18.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Marshall, TX before the return drive.
