Cedar Park, TX to Amarillo, TX is 475.7 miles and takes about 8h 31m via Marshall Formby Memorial Highway, US 84, and North US Highway 183, with a fuel budget near $69 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route traverses the Great Plains for its entirety, offering a straightforward drive through Texas. With a recommended two days for the trip, you'll have ample time to break up the drive and enjoy the open road. It's a practical choice for connecting these two Texas cities, focusing on efficient travel.
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
237.9 miles from Cedar Park, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 24m 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
Canyon Expressway
13.5 mi
15m
State Highway 70
10.4 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
Marshall Formby Memorial Highway
— 109.9 mi, about 1h 51m
Traffic on I-27
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 36 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 Cedar Park, TX and Amarillo, TX.
1
Start on US 183
1.2 mi·2 min·North Bell Boulevard
Use the left lane.
2
Turn right onto RM 1431
0.9 mi·1 min·East Whitestone Boulevard
Use the left lane.
3
Turn left onto 183A Frontage Road
0.4 mi·34 sec·183A Frontage Road
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward 183A Toll North
5
Merge onto 183A Toll
9.7 mi·9 min·183A Toll Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on US 183
36 mi·38 min·North US Highway 183
7
Continue on US 183
2.3 mi·4 min·South Key Avenue
8
Continue on US 183; US 190; US 281
0.2 mi·14 sec·North US Highway 281
9
Keep slight left at fork onto US 183; US 190
37 mi·40 min·North US Highway 183
10
At end of road, turn left onto US 84; US 183; TX 16
30 mi·34 min·US 84; US 183; TX 16
11
Turn left onto US 67; US 84; US 183; US 377
1.7 mi·2 min·Early Boulevard
12
Continue on US 67; US 84; US 377
22 mi·25 min·East Commerce Street
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 84; US 283
7.2 mi·8 min·Wallis Avenue
14
Turn right onto TX 153
0.9 mi·1 min·East Walnut Street
15
Continue on TX 153; TX 206
1.0 mi·1 min·West Walnut Street
16
Continue on TX 153
69 mi·1 hr 14 min·State Highway 153
17
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 153
19 ft·0 sec·State Highway 153
18
Turn right onto TX 70
10 mi·10 min·State Highway 70
19
Continue on TX 70
0.8 mi·1 min·Lamar Street
20
Turn left onto Northwest Georgia Avenue
0.1 mi·16 sec·Northwest Georgia Avenue
21
Take the ramp
340 ft·8 sec
Toward I 20 West: Midland
22
Merge onto I 20; US 84
6.0 mi·5 min·I 20; US 84
23
Take the exit onto US 84
0.3 mi·19 sec·US 84
Exit 238AToward US 84 West: Snyder, Lubbock
24
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84
74 mi·1 hr 14 min·US 84
25
Turn right onto Loop 46
1.0 mi·1 min·South Avenue F
26
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 207
0.1 mi·10 sec·North Avenue F
27
Turn straight onto TX 207
0.4 mi·38 sec·Ralls Road
28
Turn left onto Spur 575
0.1 mi·17 sec·East 15th Street
29
Turn right onto US 84
1.0 mi·1 min·North US Highway 84
30
Continue on US 84
20 mi·19 min·Highway 84
31
Continue on US 84
4.6 mi·4 min·Trooper Jerry Don Davis Memorial Highway
32
Continue on US 84
6.8 mi·6 min·East Highway 84
33
Continue on US 84
4.5 mi·5 min·Slaton Road
34
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
35
Turn slight right onto Interstate 27
321 ft·6 sec·Interstate 27
36
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
37
Merge onto I 27; US 87
110 mi·1 hr 51 min·Marshall Formby Memorial Highway
38
Continue on I 27; US 60; US 87
13 mi·15 min·Canyon Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
39
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.
40
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.
41
Turn right onto I 40 Business; Original US Route 66; US 60
105 ft·1 sec·East Amarillo Boulevard
42
Arrive at destination
I 40 Business; Original US Route 66; US 60
Trip Plan
Given the 8.5-hour estimated drive time, it's best to split this trip over two days. Aim to depart Cedar Park early to make the most of your first day on the road. Plan for at least two stops to refuel and stretch your legs, especially considering the longest stretch of highway is over 100 miles. The fuel cost is estimated at $69, so factor that into your budget. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, particularly as you approach Amarillo, to avoid any unexpected delays.
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 237.9 miles from Cedar Park, TX, or about 4h 24m 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 105 miles or 1h 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 237.9 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 237.9 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 27m
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 Cedar Park, 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 Cedar Park, TX
Aim for roughly 238 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Amarillo, TX
Aim for roughly 238 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 105 miles from Cedar Park, 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 27
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.1 and 475 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
2.1 mi into trip|~3m in|183A Frontage Road
Turn left onto 183A Frontage Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
2.8 mi into trip|~4m in|183A Toll / 183A Toll Road
Merge onto 183A Toll / 183A Toll Road
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
237.1 mi into trip|~4h 24m in|US 84
Take the exit onto US 84 toward US 84 West: Snyder, Lubbock
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 238A
Toward US 84 West: Snyder, Lubbock
7
474.1 mi into trip|~8h 27m 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
6
475 mi into trip|~8h 30m in|US 87; Original US Route 66 / South Fillmore Street
Keep slight right at fork onto US 87; Original US Route 66 / South Fillmore Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$65.16 one way
$130.31 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg166 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$72.78
$145.56
premium
$4.23
$79.13
$158.25
diesel
$4.80
$89.82
$179.64
Estimated Tolls: $0.68
183A Toll Road
(9.7 mi)$0.68
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
$65
Tolls
$1
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$196–$306
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 166.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $50 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
142.7
1
$49.95
$22.83
Efficient EV
118.9
1
$41.62
$19.03
EV Truck/SUV
190.3
2
$66.60
$30.44
Gas CO2
166 kg
EV CO2
56 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 16, 2026
Origin
Cedar Park, TX
Evening
in Cedar Park on Monday
Local time
7:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSE 5 mph42% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 6:23PM CDT until July 16 at 8:15PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 6:21PM CDT until July 16 at 7:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Destination
Amarillo, TX
Evening
in Amarillo on Monday
Local time
7:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
87°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 10 mph10% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 6:23PM CDT until July 16 at 8:15PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 6:21PM CDT until July 16 at 7:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
102°F
Roscoe, TX
238 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
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
8h 31m 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 475.7
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 475.7
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 64% of the driving on major roads. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 109.9 miles on Marshall Formby Memorial Highway, which means extended periods of cruising. The transition from highway to surface roads will occur at various points, so be prepared for changes in speed limits and exit densities. Expect a predominantly rural driving experience with long stretches of open road.
64% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
42 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?
8/10
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 2.1 miles in near 183A Frontage Road.
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 27 significant decision points across 475.7 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 2.1 miles (183A Frontage Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.8 miles (183A Toll / 183A Toll Road): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 237.1 miles (US 84): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
3,670 ft898 ft
Total Climb
2,803 ft
Total Descent
39 ft
Highest Point
3,670 ft
~475.7 mi in
Elevation Range
2,772 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 Cedar Park, TX to Amarillo, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Lubbock along the way.
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 238 miles on day one.
Expect about $0.68 in tolls one way, starting with 183A Toll Road. 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.
Yes — we found about 18 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 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. There are 18 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.1 miles (183A Frontage Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.8 miles (183A Toll / 183A Toll Road): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 237.1 miles (US 84): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 8.5 hours each way, a round trip means 17.1 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.
