This 362.5-mile drive from Amarillo, TX to Plano, TX will take approximately 6 hours and 33 minutes of driving time. It's a straightforward, highway-focused trip that can comfortably be completed in a single day, with a projected fuel cost of around $55. You'll spend most of your time on US Highway 287, with a brief section on the Central East Freeway in Amarillo. Given both your starting and ending points are within the Great Plains region, expect a landscape characterized by wide-open spaces. This route is ideal if you're looking for an efficient journey without many detours.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
181.3 miles from Amarillo, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 15m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
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
President George Bush Turnpike
13.3 mi
14m
South Stemmons Freeway
10.5 mi
11m
I 35E
9.8 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
US Highway 287
— 81.8 mi, about 1h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Amarillo, TX and Plano, 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
10 mi·11 min·South Stemmons Freeway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
33
Take the exit
1.2 mi·1 min
Exit 445Toward PGBT Toll: President George Bush TurnpikeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Keep slight right at fork
1.2 mi·1 min
Toward PGBT Toll East: President George Bush TurnpikeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Merge onto PGBT
13 mi·14 min·President George Bush Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward US 75 North: McKinneyUse the slight left lane.
38
Turn slight right
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 29Toward 15th StreetUse the slight right lane.
39
Turn straight onto Central Expressway
0.4 mi·49 sec·Central Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
40
Turn right onto East 15th Street
0.6 mi·1 min·East 15th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
41
Arrive at destination
East 15th Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6.5-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Amarillo to avoid any potential traffic as you approach the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing yourself, but it’s wise to plan for a fuel and rest break around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longer 81.8-mile stretch on US Highway 287, as services can be more spread out in parts of the Great Plains. Planning your stop strategically will help ensure a smooth arrival in Plano.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 181.3 miles from Amarillo, TX, or about 3h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 81.8 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 80 miles or 1h 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 181.3 miles or 3h 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Plano, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Amarillo, TX
This is one driving day of about 362.5 miles and 6h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Amarillo, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US Highway 287 for about 81.8 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 26
5 decision points cluster between mile 221.5 and 360.6 — 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
323.3 mi into trip|~5h 49m in
Take the ramp toward I 35 South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Toward I 35 South
7
344.7 mi into trip|~6h 12m in
Take the exit toward PGBT Toll: President George Bush Turnpike
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 445
Toward PGBT Toll: President George Bush Turnpik...
7
345.9 mi into trip|~6h 13m in
Keep slight right at fork toward PGBT Toll East: President George Bush Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward PGBT Toll East: President George Bush Tu...
7
360.6 mi into trip|~6h 29m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 75 North: McKinney
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward US 75 North: McKinney
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$54.77 one way
$109.55 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg127 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$59.96
$119.91
premium
$4.54
$64.72
$129.44
diesel
$5.61
$80.04
$160.07
Estimated Tolls: $1.09
President George Bush Turnpike
(13.3 mi)$1.06
Central Expressway
(0.4 mi)$0.03
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
$55
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$81–$106
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 126.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
108.8
1
$38.06
$17.40
Efficient EV
90.6
1
$31.72
$14.50
EV Truck/SUV
145
1
$50.75
$23.20
Gas CO2
127 kg
EV CO2
42 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 Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Amarillo, TX
Morning
in Amarillo on Tuesday
Local time
7:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Mostly Clear
SSW 10 to 15 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Fire Weather Watch
The Fire Weather Watch has been replaced. Please see the latest information from NWS Midland/Odessa TX on this developin...
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 17 at 2:01AM CDT until April 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Destination
Plano, TX
Morning
in Plano on Tuesday
Local time
7:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
83°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.
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
28 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
6h 33m 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?
The character of this drive is overwhelmingly highway-focused, with 93% of the journey taking place on major roadways. You'll primarily be on US Highway 287, which offers a consistent and generally fast-paced experience. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 81.8 miles on US Highway 287, meaning you can settle in for some solid driving time. While the route is predominantly highway, the Central East Freeway in Amarillo provides a brief urban approach. Overall, expect a smooth and predictable driving experience designed for covering distance efficiently.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
41 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 81.8 mi on US Highway 287.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 287 and US 287. 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 26 significant decision points across 362.5 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 221.5 miles (US 287 / Northwest Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 323.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 344.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Plano is a city of 285,000 people (2020) in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex region of Texas and is north of Dallas. It is home to the headquarters of several large corporations.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 33m. Total distance: 362.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 33m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 81.8 miles on US Highway 287. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.09 in tolls one way, starting with President George Bush Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
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 Plano, 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 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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 323.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 344.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 6.6 hours each way, a round trip means 13.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Plano, TX before the return drive.
