Origin
Amarillo, TX
Late night in Amarillo on Tuesday
Local time
5:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Amarillo, TX to The Colony, 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
6h 24m
Distance
349.6 mi
563 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$53
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 12m
★
6 AM
6h 25m
8 AM
6h 50m
10 AM
6h 33m
12 PM
6h 31m
3 PM
6h 35m
5 PM
6h 48m
8 PM
6h 17m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Amarillo, TX
Wikimedia Commons
The Colony, TX
Mark Direen
Trip Overview
Amarillo, TX to The Colony, TX is 349.6 miles and takes about 6h 24m via US Highway 287, with a fuel budget near $53 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays entirely within Texas, moving from the wide-open spaces of the Great Plains to a more populated area. With 93% of the route on highways, you'll experience a fairly direct and efficient trip. It's a good option if you're looking for a single-day drive without too many complications, making it easy to plan around your schedule.
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
174.8 miles from Amarillo, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 8m 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 |
| I 35E | 9.8 mi | 10m |
| South Stemmons Freeway | 5.3 mi | 5m |
| Northwest Freeway | 5.2 mi | 5m |
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 The Colony, 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
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 South
Use 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: Dallas
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E
5.3 mi
·
5 min
·
South Stemmons Freeway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
33
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Exit 452
Toward FM 1171: Main Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Turn straight onto North Stemmons Freeway
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
North Stemmons Freeway
35
Continue on North Stemmons Freeway
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
·
North Stemmons Freeway
36
Turn left onto FM 1171
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
West Main Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
37
Turn left onto TX 121 Bus
3.3 mi
·
5 min
·
East State Highway 121
Use the left lane.
38
Take the ramp
0.7 mi
·
1 min
39
Merge onto SRT
0.8 mi
·
52 sec
·
Sam Rayburn Tollway
40
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Toward FM 423
Use the slight right lane.
41
Turn straight onto TX 121
0.6 mi
·
54 sec
·
State Highway 121
42
Turn left onto FM 423
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
FM 423
Use the left / straight lanes.
43
Turn right onto South Colony Boulevard
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
South Colony Boulevard
Use the right lane.
44
Turn left onto Blair Oaks Drive
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Blair Oaks Drive
45
Turn right
208 ft
·
15 sec
46
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 24m estimated drive time, leaving Amarillo in the morning is advisable to ensure you arrive in The Colony with plenty of daylight. The estimated fuel cost is around $53, so factor that into your budget. You'll have one recommended stop, but with an 81.8-mile longest stretch on US Highway 287, plan your breaks accordingly to stay comfortable. Since this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time or stop duration as needed.
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 174.8 miles from Amarillo, TX, or about 3h 8m 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 77 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 174.8 miles or 3h 8m 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 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near The Colony, 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 349.6 miles and 6h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 77 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
175 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 77 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 174.8 miles from Amarillo, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US Highway 287 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 81.8 miles.
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 275 decision points cluster between mile 221.5 and 346.7 — 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
6
334.2 mi into trip
|
~6h 1m in
|
I 35E / South Stemmons Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E / South Stemmons Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
339.5 mi into trip
|
~6h 6m in
Take the exit toward FM 1171: Main Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 452
Toward FM 1171: Main Street
6
346.7 mi into trip
|
~6h 18m in
Take the exit toward FM 423
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward FM 423
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$52.83 one way
$105.65 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
122 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $57.82 | $115.64 |
| premium | $4.54 | $62.42 | $124.84 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $77.19 | $154.37 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.07
Sam Rayburn Tollway
(0.8 mi)
$0.07
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
$53
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$78–$103
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 122.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 104.9 | 1 | $36.71 | $16.78 |
| Efficient EV | 87.4 | 0 | $30.59 | $13.98 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 139.8 | 1 | $48.94 | $22.37 |
Gas CO2
122 kg
EV CO2
41 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.
Destination
The Colony, TX
Late night in The Colony on Tuesday
Local time
5:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
81°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
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
6h 24m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is predominantly highway driving, with 93% of the 349.6 miles on major roads like US Highway 287 and Central East Freeway. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 81.8 miles on US Highway 287, offering a sustained period of cruising. Expect a mostly highway profile, meaning you'll likely see fewer exits and more consistent speeds for significant portions of the drive until you approach your destination.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
46 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 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 27 significant decision points across 349.6 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 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 334.2 miles (I 35E / South Stemmons 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 The Colony, TX
Full guide →Founded 1969
The Colony, City by the Lake, is located in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex region of Texas, less than 30 miles from Downtown Dallas. Best known for beautiful views of Lake Lewisville, The Colony extends 23 miles along its eastern shoreline, with hundreds of acres of wildlife and a myriad of recreational opportunities including camping, fishing, swimming, boating, hiking, picnicking and cycling.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 24m. Total distance: 349.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 24m 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 $0.07 in tolls one way, starting with Sam Rayburn 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.
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 The Colony, 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 334.2 miles (I 35E / South Stemmons Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.4 hours each way, a round trip means 12.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at The Colony, 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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