Amarillo, TX to Stafford, TX is 607.9 miles and takes about 10 hours 58 minutes via US Highway 287, with a fuel budget near $90 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route covers a substantial distance across Texas, primarily within the Great Plains region. Given the nearly 11-hour drive time, it's best planned as an overnight trip, though ambitious drivers could tackle it in one long day. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, making it a straightforward but long haul.
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
304 miles from Amarillo, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 5h 26m 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
US 290
35.4 mi
40m
North Earl Rudder Freeway
30.1 mi
31m
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 Stafford, 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
423 ft·10 sec·US 290 Business
Toward US 290 East, TX 6 South
43
Turn left
0.4 mi·48 sec
Toward US 290 East, TX 6 SouthUse the left lane.
44
Merge onto US 290
35 mi·40 min·US 290
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
45
Take the exit
0.2 mi·14 sec
Toward SHT North, SHT South: Sam Houston TollwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
46
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·56 sec
Toward SHT SouthUse the slight right lane.
47
Merge onto SHT
7.8 mi·9 min·West Sam Houston Tollway North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
48
Keep slight left at fork onto SHT
5.6 mi·6 min·West Sam Houston Tollway South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
49
Continue on BW 8
1.9 mi·2 min·West Sam Houston Parkway South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
50
Take the exit onto BW 8
1.1 mi·2 min·BW 8
Toward StaffordUse the slight right lane.
51
Turn right onto Stafford Road
2.0 mi·3 min·Stafford Road
52
Take the ramp onto Stafford Road
0.2 mi·29 sec·Stafford Road
53
Turn right onto US 90 Alt
132 ft·7 sec·North Main Street
54
Turn left
55 ft·6 sec
55
Turn right
53 ft·3 sec
56
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 10-hour, 58-minute duration, breaking this trip into two days is highly recommended. Aim to leave Amarillo early in the morning to maximize your first day's driving. You'll have about 608 miles to cover, so planning for roughly 300 miles each day makes sense. With three recommended stops, you can easily find places to refuel and rest. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially in the more rural stretches between larger towns, and budget around $90 for gas.
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 304 miles from Amarillo, TX, or about 5h 26m 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 134 miles or 2h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 304 miles or 5h 26m 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 304 miles or 5h 26m
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 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Stafford, 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 304 miles and 5.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Stafford, TX
Aim for roughly 304 miles and 5.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 134 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 27
5 decision points cluster between mile 221.5 and 588.9 — 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...
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
7
552.9 mi into trip|~9h 51m in
Turn left toward US 290 East, TX 6 South
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward US 290 East, TX 6 South
7
588.7 mi into trip|~10h 33m in
Take the exit toward SHT North, SHT South: Sam Houston Tollway
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.
Toward SHT North, SHT South: Sam Houston Tollwa...
7
588.9 mi into trip|~10h 33m in
Keep slight right at fork toward SHT South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward SHT South
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$92.29 one way
$184.57 round trip
$3.86/gal25.4 MPG avg213 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.25
$101.72
$203.43
premium
$4.58
$109.61
$219.23
diesel
$5.35
$128.04
$256.08
Estimated Tolls: $1.08
Sam Houston Tollway
(13.4 mi)$1.08
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
$92
Tolls
$1
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$223–$333
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 212.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $64 in charging
· 2 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
182.4
2
$63.83
$29.18
Efficient EV
152
1
$53.19
$24.32
EV Truck/SUV
243.2
3
$85.11
$38.91
Gas CO2
213 kg
EV CO2
71 kg (67% 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 May 20, 2026
Origin
Amarillo, TX
Afternoon
in Amarillo on Wednesday
Local time
3:35 PM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
SSE 10 mph67% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued May 20 at 3:42PM CDT until May 20 at 4:15PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued May 20 at 3:33PM CDT until May 20 at 3:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Destination
Stafford, TX
Afternoon
in Stafford on Wednesday
Local time
3:35 PM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
E 5 mph22% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued May 20 at 3:42PM CDT until May 20 at 4:15PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued May 20 at 3:33PM CDT until May 20 at 3:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa 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
14 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 58m 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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 419.3
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?
With a 93% highway share, you'll be on major roads for the vast majority of this 607.9-mile drive. The longest continuous stretch on these highways is 99.2 miles on the Central East Freeway. Expect primarily rural cruising with occasional urban merging as you pass through populated areas. You'll transition from these high-speed roads to surface streets for the final portion of your trip.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
56 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 27 significant decision points across 607.9 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 423 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 552.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 304 miles on day one.
Expect about $1.08 in tolls one way, starting with Sam Houston Tollway. 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.
Yes — we found about 46 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 Stafford, 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 46 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 423 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 552.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 11.0 hours each way, a round trip means 21.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Stafford, TX before the return drive.
