Amarillo to Stephenville is 355.7 miles and takes about 6h 31m via US Highway 287, with a fuel budget near $52 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Texas, beginning in the Great Plains and ending in the same region. Given that it's primarily highway driving, expect a straightforward trip with minimal complexity. It's a solid option if you're looking for a single-day transit between these two points.
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
177.8 miles from Amarillo, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 11m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US Highway 287
81.8 mi
1h 27m
US 287
77.2 mi
1h 21m
US 281
65.2 mi
1h 13m
Henry S Grace Freeway
63.4 mi
1h 13m
US Highway 287 East
40.5 mi
42m
Northwest Freeway
5.2 mi
5m
East Amarillo Boulevard
5.1 mi
6m
Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Highway
4.1 mi
4m
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 Stephenville, 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 left at fork onto US 281
2.3 mi·2 min·Henry S Grace Freeway
22
Keep slight left at fork onto US 281
61 mi·1 hr 10 min·Henry S Grace Freeway
23
Continue on US 281
65 mi·1 hr 13 min·US 281
Use the straight lane.
24
Turn right onto US 377 Bus
0.8 mi·1 min·East Washington Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Turn right onto TX 108
35 ft·1 sec·North Graham Street
26
Arrive at destination
TX 108
Trip Plan
Leaving Amarillo early in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight. With a total drive time of around 6.5 hours, you can comfortably complete this trip in one day. Plan for at least one stop, perhaps around the halfway point, to stretch your legs and refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longer 81.8-mile stretch on US Highway 287, as services can be spaced out in some sections.
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 177.8 miles from Amarillo, TX, or about 3h 11m 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 78 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 177.8 miles or 3h 11m 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 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Stephenville, 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 355.7 miles and 6h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 78 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.1 and 354.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
5.1 mi into trip|~6m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
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...
5
222 mi into trip|~3h 58m in|I 44; US 277; US 281; US 287 / Central Freeway
Merge onto I 44; US 277; US 281; US 287 / Central Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
354.9 mi into trip|~6h 30m in|US 377 Bus / East Washington Street
Turn right onto US 377 Bus / East Washington Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.72 one way
$97.44 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg125 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$54.42
$108.84
premium
$4.23
$59.17
$118.33
diesel
$4.80
$67.16
$134.33
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$49
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 124.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
106.7
1
$37.35
$17.07
Efficient EV
88.9
1
$31.12
$14.23
EV Truck/SUV
142.3
1
$49.80
$22.76
Gas CO2
124 kg
EV CO2
42 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
Afternoon
in Amarillo on Sunday
Local time
12:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Mostly Clear
S 10 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 4:56AM CDT until July 18 at 9:10AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 4:25AM CDT until July 20 at 11:15AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Destination
Stephenville, TX
Afternoon
in Stephenville on Sunday
Local time
12:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
S 5 mph23% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 4:56AM CDT until July 18 at 9:10AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 4:25AM CDT until July 20 at 11:15AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi 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
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
6h 31m 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?
You'll be on the highway for about 95% of this 355.7-mile trip. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 81.8 miles along US Highway 287. Surface roads will become more prevalent closer to your destination. Expect mostly rural cruising with occasional stretches of more built-up areas as you pass through towns.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 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?
8/10
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 5.1 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 355.7 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 5.1 miles: Navigation decision point; 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.
Stephenville is a city in the Cross Timbers region of Texas. Acclaimed "Cowboy Capital of the World" (okay, maybe there's more than one), it's the home to Tarleton State University, part of the Texas A&M system, and even has an equine therapy program.
Top landmarks
•Erath County Courthouse — historic place in Stephenville, Erath County, Texas
•Erath Memorial Arch — historic place in Stephenville, Erath County, Texas
•First National Bank Building — historic place in Stephenville, Erath County, Texas
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 31m. Total distance: 355.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 31m 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.
Yes — we found about 24 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 Stephenville, 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. There are 24 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.1 miles: Navigation decision point; 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.
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 6.5 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 Stephenville, TX before the return drive.
