Spanning 496.3 miles, the journey from Austin to Amarillo takes approximately 7 hours and 36 minutes of pure drive time. Since both cities are located within the Great Plains, you will experience a consistent regional landscape throughout your travel across Texas. While it is technically possible to complete this trip in a single day, it is a significant haul that will require your full focus. Budgeting roughly $74 for fuel is a smart way to prepare for the costs ahead. Because the route relies on local streets like Red River Street and East 7th Street before transitioning to Interstate 35, you should anticipate a mix of city navigation and highway travel. Planning for one full day on the road is the standard recommendation for this trek.
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
247.7 miles from Austin, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 37m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Marshall Formby Memorial Highway
109.9 mi
1h 51m
US 84
104.9 mi
1h 49m
North US Highway 183
72.6 mi
1h 18m
State Highway 153
69 mi
1h 14m
East Commerce Street
22 mi
25m
Highway 84
20 mi
19m
183A Toll
14.6 mi
14m
Canyon Expressway
13.5 mi
15m
Longest stretch:
Marshall Formby Memorial Highway
— 109.9 mi, about 1h 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Austin, TX and Amarillo, TX.
1
Start on East 5th Street
0.3 mi·52 sec·East 5th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Turn left onto Red River Street
0.1 mi·20 sec·Red River Street
Use the left lane.
3
Turn right onto East 7th Street
0.1 mi·17 sec·East 7th Street
Use the right lane.
4
Turn left onto North Interstate 35
0.2 mi·26 sec·North Interstate 35
Use the left lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward I 35 North, US 290 East
6
Merge onto I 35; US 290
0.6 mi·42 sec·Purple Heart Trail
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 290
4.0 mi·4 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 240BToward US 183 North: LampasasUse the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto US 183
11 mi·13 min·US 183
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on 183A Toll
15 mi·14 min·183A Toll
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on US 183
36 mi·38 min·North US Highway 183
12
Continue on US 183
2.3 mi·4 min·South Key Avenue
13
Continue on US 183; US 190; US 281
0.2 mi·14 sec·North US Highway 281
14
Keep slight left at fork onto US 183; US 190
37 mi·40 min·North US Highway 183
15
At end of road, turn left onto US 84; US 183; TX 16
30 mi·34 min·US 84; US 183; TX 16
16
Turn left onto US 67; US 84; US 183; US 377
1.7 mi·2 min·Early Boulevard
17
Continue on US 67; US 84; US 377
22 mi·25 min·East Commerce Street
18
Keep slight right at fork onto US 84; US 283
7.2 mi·8 min·Wallis Avenue
19
Turn right onto TX 153
0.9 mi·1 min·East Walnut Street
20
Continue on TX 153; TX 206
1.0 mi·1 min·West Walnut Street
21
Continue on TX 153
69 mi·1 hr 14 min·State Highway 153
22
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 153
19 ft·0 sec·State Highway 153
23
Turn right onto TX 70
10 mi·10 min·State Highway 70
24
Continue on TX 70
0.8 mi·1 min·Lamar Street
25
Turn left onto Northwest Georgia Avenue
0.1 mi·16 sec·Northwest Georgia Avenue
26
Take the ramp
340 ft·8 sec
Toward I 20 West: Midland
27
Merge onto I 20; US 84
6.0 mi·5 min·I 20; US 84
28
Take the exit onto US 84
0.3 mi·19 sec·US 84
Exit 238AToward US 84 West: Snyder, Lubbock
29
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84
74 mi·1 hr 14 min·US 84
30
Turn right onto Loop 46
1.0 mi·1 min·South Avenue F
31
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 207
0.1 mi·10 sec·North Avenue F
32
Turn straight onto TX 207
0.4 mi·38 sec·Ralls Road
33
Turn left onto Spur 575
0.1 mi·17 sec·East 15th Street
34
Turn right onto US 84
1.0 mi·1 min·North US Highway 84
35
Continue on US 84
20 mi·19 min·Highway 84
36
Continue on US 84
4.6 mi·4 min·Trooper Jerry Don Davis Memorial Highway
37
Continue on US 84
6.8 mi·6 min·East Highway 84
38
Continue on US 84
4.5 mi·5 min·Slaton Road
39
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
40
Turn slight right onto Interstate 27
321 ft·6 sec·Interstate 27
41
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
42
Merge onto I 27; US 87
110 mi·1 hr 51 min·Marshall Formby Memorial Highway
43
Continue on I 27; US 60; US 87
13 mi·15 min·Canyon Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
44
Keep slight left at fork onto US 87
0.9 mi·2 min·US 87
Toward US 87 NorthUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
45
Keep slight right at fork onto US 87; Original US Route 66
0.7 mi·1 min·South Fillmore Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
46
Turn right onto I 40 Business; Original US Route 66; US 60
105 ft·1 sec·East Amarillo Boulevard
47
Arrive at destination
I 40 Business; Original US Route 66; US 60
Trip Plan
To tackle this 496.3-mile trip effectively, aim to depart early in the morning to avoid peak traffic congestion on the local streets. You are planning for two designated stops, which will be essential for maintaining your energy over the 7 hour and 36 minute duration. Since your fuel budget is approximately $74, keep an eye on your gauge during your two stops to ensure you do not run low in more isolated areas. Flexibility is your best asset on this drive; use those two stops to stretch your legs and reset your focus before tackling the next segment of the journey. A practical tip: because of the turn-heavy nature of this route, prioritize checking your tire pressure before you leave to ensure a smoother experience on the local 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 247.7 miles from Austin, TX, or about 4h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 109.9 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 109 miles or 2h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 247.7 miles or 4h 37m 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 247.7 miles or 4h 37m
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 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Amarillo, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Austin, 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 Austin, TX
Aim for roughly 248 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Amarillo, TX
Aim for roughly 248 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 109 miles from Austin, 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 Marshall Formby Memorial Highway for about 109.9 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 32
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 493.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.3 mi into trip|~0m in|Red River Street
Turn left onto Red River Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
0.5 mi into trip|~1m in|East 7th Street
Turn right onto East 7th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
1.5 mi into trip|~3m in|I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
5.5 mi into trip|~7m in
Take the exit toward US 183 North: Lampasas
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 240B
Toward US 183 North: Lampasas
7
493.8 mi into trip|~8h 50m in|US 87
Keep slight left at fork onto US 87 toward US 87 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward US 87 North
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$74.87 one way
$149.74 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg173 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$81.95
$163.91
premium
$4.54
$88.47
$176.94
diesel
$5.61
$109.40
$218.80
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: 173.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $52 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
148.7
1
$52.03
$23.78
Efficient EV
123.9
1
$43.36
$19.82
EV Truck/SUV
198.2
2
$69.37
$31.71
Gas CO2
173 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 Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Austin, TX
Night
in Austin on Saturday
Local time
11:15 PM
CDT
Current temp
89°F
Mostly Sunny
S 5 to 10 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Amarillo, TX
Night
in Amarillo on Saturday
Local time
11:15 PM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
59°F
Sweetwater, TX
248 mi in
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
5 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
8h 54m 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.
26 mi from route
~66 min detour
Free
near mile 495.5
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...
29 mi from route
~72 min detour
Free
near mile 495.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive as you exit the city, which demands more alertness than a standard interstate cruise. The route transitions away from the initial urban congestion, though you should be prepared for varying road conditions as you navigate away from the starting point. With a highway share of 0%, this drive prioritizes local road navigation rather than relying on long-distance interstate stretches. Because the road personality is defined by these technical turns, you will find it requires more active steering and attention than a monotonous highway slog. Keep in mind that the character of the pavement changes frequently, so stay alert to the shifting requirements of the road surface.
64% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
47 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 109.9 mi on Marshall Formby Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Marshall Formby Memorial Highway and US 84. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near Red River Street.
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 32 significant decision points across 495.5 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 0.3 miles (Red River Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.5 miles (East 7th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.5 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Austin, TX to Amarillo, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Lubbock along the way.
Austin is a city of about 1,054,000 (2026) surpassing Fort Worth to become the 4th most populous city in Texas. It is on the southeast edge of the Hill Country region of Texas, making it the fourth-largest city in the state and the 11th-largest in the country. It is the capital of Texas and a college town, and also a center of an alternative culture away from the major cities on the US coasts, though the city is rapidly gentrifying with its rising popularity. Austin's attitude is commonly emblazoned about town on T-shirts and bumper stickers that read: "Keep Austin Weird." Austin is also marketed as the Live Music Capital of the World due to the large number of venues.
Top landmarks
•Texas State Capitol — capitol and seat of government of the U.S. state of Texas
•Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum — presidential library and museum for U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson in Austin,...
•Texas State Cemetery — historic cemetery in Austin, Texas, USA
The longest stretch is about 109.9 miles on Marshall Formby Memorial Highway. 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 248 miles on day one.
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 Amarillo, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (Red River Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.5 miles (East 7th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.5 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 8.9 hours each way, a round trip means 17.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Amarillo, TX before the return drive.
