Amarillo, TX to Wake Village, TX is 492.7 miles and takes about 9h 4m via US 82 and US Highway 287, with a fuel budget near $70 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Texas, traversing the Great Plains region for its entirety. Given its predominantly highway profile, this drive is a straightforward option for those looking to cover a significant distance efficiently. It's a solid choice if you want a direct path across the state without extensive detours.
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
246.4 miles from Amarillo, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 24m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 82
159.1 mi
2h 56m
US Highway 287
81.8 mi
1h 27m
US 287
77.2 mi
1h 21m
US Highway 82 East
44.9 mi
51m
US Highway 287 East
40.5 mi
42m
I 30
20.3 mi
20m
Central East Freeway
17 mi
17m
US Highway 82 West
8.5 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
US 82
— 159.1 mi, about 2h 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Amarillo, TX and Wake Village, 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
14 mi·14 min·Central East Freeway
23
Take the exit onto US 82
159 mi·2 hr 56 min·US 82
Toward US 82 East: Henrietta, GainesvilleUse the straight / right lanes.
24
Turn right onto US 82 Business
269 ft·9 sec·7th Street Southwest
25
Turn left onto US 82 Business
0.4 mi·38 sec·Grand Avenue
26
Continue on US 82 Business; US 271 Business
0.8 mi·1 min·Clarksville Street
27
Turn left onto US 82 Business; US 271 Business
0.1 mi·16 sec·12th Street Southeast
28
Turn right onto US 82 Business
2.0 mi·3 min·Lamar Avenue
29
Continue on US 82
3.2 mi·3 min·Lamar Road
30
Continue on US 82
2.9 mi·3 min·US Highway 82 East
31
Continue on US 82
2.0 mi·2 min·West Front Street
32
Continue on US 82
17 mi·18 min·US Highway 82 East
33
Continue on US 82
1.6 mi·1 min·West Main Street
34
Turn left onto US 82; TX 37
3.2 mi·4 min·Captain Henry Stout Bypass
35
Continue on US 82
25 mi·29 min·US Highway 82 East
36
Continue on US 82
1.3 mi·1 min·Northeast Front Street
37
Continue on US 82
8.5 mi·10 min·US Highway 82 West
38
Turn left
0.2 mi·25 sec
39
Merge onto I 30
20 mi·20 min·I 30
40
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 369 South, US 59 South: Houston, Shreveport
41
Continue on I 369; US 59
0.6 mi·43 sec·Jarvis Parkway
42
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward Wake Village, Westlawn Drive
43
Turn straight onto North Bishop Road
0.4 mi·39 sec·North Bishop Road
44
Turn right onto Redwater Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Redwater Road
45
Enter roundabout onto Redwater Road
386 ft·7 sec·Redwater Road
46
Arrive at destination
Redwater Road
Trip Plan
With a drive time of around 9 hours, this trip is best split over two days to allow for a more relaxed pace. Consider leaving Amarillo in the morning and aiming for a stop around the halfway point, perhaps after about 250 miles. You'll encounter two recommended stops along the way, which are good opportunities to refuel and stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 159.1-mile stretch on US 82, as services can be more spread 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.
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 246.4 miles from Amarillo, TX, or about 4h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 159.1 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 108 miles or 1h 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 246.4 miles or 4h 24m 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 246.4 miles or 4h 24m
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 7h 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wake Village, 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 246 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Wake Village, TX
Aim for roughly 246 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 108 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 US 82 for about 159.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Home stretch
4.7 mi from route
~12 min detour
$10 to $20
Texarkana, Texas
Hours: 5:30–11 PM
+19037923222
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 9.8 and 490.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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.
7
242.4 mi into trip|~4h 20m in|US 82
Take the exit onto US 82 toward US 82 East: Henrietta, Gainesville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward US 82 East: Henrietta, Gainesville
5
490.1 mi into trip|~9h in
Take the exit toward I 369 South, US 59 South: Houston, Shreveport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 369 South, US 59 South: Houston, Shrev...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$75.44 one way
$150.87 round trip
$3.89/gal25.4 MPG avg172 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.29
$83.25
$166.51
premium
$4.64
$89.97
$179.93
diesel
$6.18
$119.86
$239.72
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$75
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$205–$315
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 172.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $52 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
147.8
1
$51.73
$23.65
Efficient EV
123.2
1
$43.11
$19.71
EV Truck/SUV
197.1
2
$68.98
$31.53
Gas CO2
172 kg
EV CO2
58 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 Oct 17, 2026
Origin
Amarillo, TX
Afternoon
in Amarillo on Saturday
Local time
12:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
32°F
Widespread Frost
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 17 at 3:25AM CDT until October 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued October 17 at 2:37AM CDT until October 20 at 4:00AM CDT by NWS Norman OK
Destination
Wake Village, TX
Afternoon
in Wake Village on Saturday
Local time
12:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Mostly Clear
N 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 17 at 3:25AM CDT until October 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued October 17 at 2:37AM CDT until October 20 at 4:00AM CDT by NWS Norman OK
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
9h 4m 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 mostly highway, with 93% of the 492.7 miles on freeways. You'll experience a long stretch of 159.1 miles on US 82, offering a good amount of uninterrupted cruising. The transition to surface roads will occur as you near the end of your drive. Expect a pattern of frequent exits and entrances common to major highway corridors.
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: 159.1 mi on US 82.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 82 and US Highway 287. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 9.8 miles in near US 287.
Driving Effort9/10
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 23 significant decision points across 492.7 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 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; at 222 miles (I 44; US 277; US 281; US 287 / Central Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
3,670 ft340 ft
Total Climb
177 ft
Total Descent
3,507 ft
Highest Point
3,670 ft
Elevation Range
3,330 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Amarillo, TX to Wake Village, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Gainesville along the way.
The longest stretch is about 159.1 miles on US 82. 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 246 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 34 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 Wake Village, 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 34 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: 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; at 222 miles (I 44; US 277; US 281; US 287 / Central Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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 9.1 hours each way, a round trip means 18.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Wake Village, TX before the return drive.
