Amarillo, TX to West Odessa, TX is 266.6 miles and takes about 4h 41m via Marshall Formby Memorial Highway and US Highway 87, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward trip across Texas. You'll predominantly be on major highways, making it a relatively quick transit between these two points. Given its single-day feasibility and the direct nature of the route, it's a practical option for connecting these West Texas locations without significant 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
133.3 miles from Amarillo, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 19m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Marshall Formby Memorial Highway
110.8 mi
1h 52m
US Highway 87
51.2 mi
51m
State Highway 349
46.8 mi
46m
Canyon Expressway
14 mi
16m
TX 349
12.4 mi
12m
East 42nd Street
5.6 mi
6m
West University Boulevard
5.1 mi
7m
Tahoka Highway
4.4 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Marshall Formby Memorial Highway
— 110.8 mi, about 1h 52m
Traffic on I-27
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 18 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~615 veh/hr typical
· worst 753
Quietest
2 AM
~47 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
13.1×
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 West Odessa, TX.
1
Start on I 40 Business; Original US Route 66; US 60
286 ft·8 sec·East Amarillo Boulevard
2
Turn right onto US 60; US 87; US 66 Access
0.4 mi·57 sec·North Pierce Street
3
Continue on US 60; US 87; US 66 Access
1.0 mi·2 min·North Pierce Street
4
Continue on US 60; US 87
14 mi·16 min·Canyon Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 27
111 mi·1 hr 52 min·Marshall Formby Memorial Highway
6
Continue on I 27; US 87
4.4 mi·4 min·Tahoka Highway
7
Continue on US 87
51 mi·51 min·US Highway 87
8
Continue on US 87
1.1 mi·1 min·Lubbock Highway
9
Continue on US 87
1.7 mi·1 min·North Lynn Avenue
10
Continue on US 87; US 180
1.4 mi·1 min·South Dallas Avenue
11
Turn right onto TX 349
47 mi·46 min·State Highway 349
12
Take the exit onto TX 349
12 mi·12 min·TX 349
13
Turn left onto TX 349; FM 1788
2.4 mi·3 min·North FM 1788
14
Turn right onto State Highway 191
0.4 mi·26 sec·State Highway 191
15
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·21 sec
16
Merge onto TX 191
3.2 mi·3 min·Sergeant Michael Naylor Memorial Highway
17
Continue on TX 191
3.2 mi·3 min·Chris Kyle Memorial Highway
18
Continue on TX 191
5.6 mi·6 min·East 42nd Street
Use the straight lane.
19
At end of road, turn right onto Spur 450
0.2 mi·27 sec·Kermit Highway
Use the right lane.
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward SH 302 East, Loop 338 South
21
Merge onto TX 302; Loop 338
0.5 mi·34 sec·Northwest Loop 338
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward FM 2020
23
Turn slight right
137 ft·3 sec
24
Turn right onto FM 2020
5.1 mi·7 min·West University Boulevard
25
Turn right
79 ft·5 sec
26
Turn right
97 ft·7 sec
27
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 4h 41m drive, consider leaving Amarillo in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for a comfortable pace. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in when and where you choose to break up the 266.6 miles. The longest stretch without a stop is over 110 miles on Marshall Formby Memorial Highway, so ensure you have adequate fuel before embarking on that segment. West Odessa is your destination, and with a fuel cost estimated around $42, it’s a budget-friendly option for a single-day trip.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 133.3 miles from Amarillo, TX, or about 2h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 110.8 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 59 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 133.3 miles or 2h 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near West Odessa, 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 266.6 miles and 4h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 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 Marshall Formby Memorial Highway for about 110.8 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 260.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|US 60; US 87; US 66 Access / North Pierce Street
Turn right onto US 60; US 87; US 66 Access / North Pierce Street
Navigation decision point
4
15.4 mi into trip|~19m in|I 27 / Marshall Formby Memorial Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 27 / Marshall Formby Memorial Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
4
186 mi into trip|~3h 13m in|TX 349 / State Highway 349
Turn right onto TX 349 / State Highway 349
Navigation decision point
7
260.2 mi into trip|~4h 30m in|Spur 450 / Kermit Highway
At end of road, turn right onto Spur 450 / Kermit Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
260.4 mi into trip|~4h 31m in
Take the exit toward SH 302 East, Loop 338 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward SH 302 East, Loop 338 South
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.52 one way
$73.03 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$40.79
$81.58
premium
$4.23
$44.35
$88.69
diesel
$4.80
$50.34
$100.68
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80
0
$27.99
$12.80
Efficient EV
66.7
0
$23.33
$10.66
EV Truck/SUV
106.6
1
$37.32
$17.06
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Amarillo, TX
Afternoon
in Amarillo on Sunday
Local time
2:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Mostly Clear
S 10 to 15 mph9% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 10:45PM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:59PM CDT until July 19 at 6:17PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
West Odessa, TX
Afternoon
in West Odessa on Sunday
Local time
2:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 10 mph25% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 10:45PM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:59PM CDT until July 19 at 6:17PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio 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
2 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
4h 41m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 266.6-mile route is a mix of highway and surface roads, with 48% of it being highway driving. You'll experience a long stretch of 110.8 miles on Marshall Formby Memorial Highway, which is a significant portion of the drive and likely involves consistent cruising. After that, you'll transition to other main roads like US Highway 87 and State Highway 349, which may offer a change in scenery or driving pace. Expect to see a lot of open terrain, typical of the Great Plains region.
48% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 110.8 mi on Marshall Formby Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 60; US 87; US 66 Access / North Pierce Street.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 266.6 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 60; US 87; US 66 Access / North Pierce Street): Navigation decision point; at 15.4 miles (I 27 / Marshall Formby Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 186 miles (TX 349 / State Highway 349): Navigation decision point.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
3,670 ft2,872 ft
Total Climb
159 ft
Total Descent
866 ft
Highest Point
3,670 ft
Elevation Range
798 ft
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 41m. Total distance: 266.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 110.8 miles on Marshall Formby Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 13 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 West Odessa, 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 13 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 60; US 87; US 66 Access / North Pierce Street): Navigation decision point; at 15.4 miles (I 27 / Marshall Formby Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 186 miles (TX 349 / State Highway 349): Navigation decision point.
Yes — Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument and Lake Meredith National Recreation Area. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.4 hours — manageable with a long break at West Odessa, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
