Crowley, TX to Amarillo, TX is 353.1 miles and takes about 6h 21m via US Highway 287, with a fuel budget near $51 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive keeps you within the Great Plains region for its entirety, moving north through Texas. It's a straightforward, mostly highway trip ideal for a single day of driving. You'll spend most of your time on major roadways, making it a practical option if you need to get from point A to point B efficiently.
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
176.5 miles from Crowley, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 10m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 81
103.4 mi
1h 49m
US Highway 287
75.4 mi
1h 17m
US Highway 287 East
40.5 mi
42m
East 11th Street
28.7 mi
32m
Boykin Drive
26.2 mi
28m
US Highway 287 West
25.7 mi
26m
South Freeway
12 mi
13m
I 35W TEXpress
8.9 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
US 81
— 103.4 mi, about 1h 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Crowley, TX and Amarillo, TX.
1
Start on this road
87 ft·2 sec·this road
2
Continue on FM 1187 Business
0.4 mi·1 min·West Main Street
3
Continue on FM 1187 Business
1.3 mi·2 min·East Main Street
4
Turn left onto FM 1187
1.0 mi·1 min·West Rendon Crowley Road
5
Turn left onto South Freeway
0.3 mi·36 sec·South Freeway
Use the left lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 35W NorthUse the straight / slight left lanes.
7
Merge onto I 35W
12 mi·12 min·South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit onto I 35W TEXpress
8.9 mi·8 min·I 35W TEXpress
Toward I 35W Express North: I 35W TEXpress NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward US 81 North, US 287 North: DecaturUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto US 81; US 287
1.7 mi·1 min·US 81; US 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on US 81; US 287
102 mi·1 hr 47 min·US 81; US 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on US 281; US 287
0.8 mi·58 sec·Lloyd Ruby Overpass
13
Continue on US 277; US 281; US 287
2.4 mi·3 min·Central Freeway
Use the straight lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto US 287
5.3 mi·5 min·Northwest Freeway
Exit 3AToward US 287 North: Vernon, AmarilloUse the slight left / straight lanes.
15
Continue on US 287
40 mi·42 min·US Highway 287 East
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
16
Continue on US 70; US 183; US 287
4.1 mi·4 min·Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on US 287
26 mi·26 min·US Highway 287 West
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on US 287
29 mi·32 min·East 11th Street
19
Continue on US 287
2.8 mi·3 min·Avenue F Northeast
20
Continue on US 287
14 mi·14 min·US Highway 287
21
Continue on US 287
0.7 mi·1 min·Burnett Street
22
Continue on US 287
14 mi·13 min·US Highway 287
23
Turn straight onto US 287
26 mi·28 min·Boykin Drive
24
Continue on US 287
1.6 mi·1 min·East 2nd Street
25
Continue on US 287
28 mi·28 min·US Highway 287
26
Continue on US 287; FM 1151
1.1 mi·2 min·East 1st Street
27
Continue on US 287
20 mi·20 min·US Highway 287
28
Keep slight right at fork onto East Interstate Drive
329 ft·8 sec·East Interstate Drive
Toward East 3rd Avenue
29
Keep slight right at fork onto Southeast 3rd Avenue
2.6 mi·3 min·Southeast 3rd Avenue
30
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·26 sec
31
Merge onto Loop 335
1.3 mi·1 min·North Lakeside Drive
32
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Toward US 60, I 40 Business: Amarillo Boulevard
33
Turn left onto I 40 Business; US Historic 66; US 60
4.4 mi·5 min·East Amarillo Boulevard
34
Continue on I 40 Business; Original US Route 66; US 60
0.9 mi·1 min·I 40 Business; Original US Route 66; US 60
35
Continue on I 40 Business
0.1 mi·17 sec·East Amarillo Boulevard
36
Arrive at destination
I 40 Business; Original US Route 66; US 60
Trip Plan
Consider departing early from Crowley to maximize daylight, especially since this trip is easily doable in one day. You'll have about 6 hours and 21 minutes of driving time, so plan for one stop to refuel and stretch. The longest uninterrupted stretch is over 100 miles on US 81, so ensure you have enough fuel before that segment begins. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as services can be spaced out in some sections of US Highway 287. With a fuel cost estimated around $51, it's a budget-friendly option.
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 176.5 miles from Crowley, TX, or about 3h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 103.4 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 78 miles or 1h 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 176.5 miles or 3h 10m 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 16m
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 Crowley, 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 Crowley, TX
This is one driving day of about 353.1 miles and 6h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 78 miles from Crowley, 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 81 for about 103.4 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.7 and 131.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
2.7 mi into trip|~5m in|South Freeway
Turn left onto South Freeway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
3 mi into trip|~5m in
Take the ramp toward I 35W North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 35W North
6
14.9 mi into trip|~19m in|I 35W TEXpress
Take the exit onto I 35W TEXpress toward I 35W Express North: I 35W TEXpress North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35W Express North: I 35W TEXpress Nort...
7
23.8 mi into trip|~27m in
Take the exit toward US 81 North, US 287 North: Decatur
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 81 North, US 287 North: Decatur
9
131.1 mi into trip|~2h 23m in|US 287 / Northwest Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 287 / Northwest Freeway toward US 287 North: Vernon, Amarillo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 3A
Toward US 287 North: Vernon, Amarillo
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.36 one way
$96.73 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg124 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$54.02
$108.04
premium
$4.23
$58.73
$117.47
diesel
$4.80
$66.67
$133.34
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 123.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
105.9
1
$37.08
$16.95
Efficient EV
88.3
1
$30.90
$14.12
EV Truck/SUV
141.2
1
$49.43
$22.60
Gas CO2
124 kg
EV CO2
41 kg (67% 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 17, 2026
Origin
Crowley, TX
Evening
in Crowley on Monday
Local time
6:55 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 10 mph14% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 5:03AM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 5:02AM CDT until July 17 at 6:45AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Destination
Amarillo, TX
Evening
in Amarillo on Monday
Local time
6:55 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Mostly Clear
S 10 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 5:03AM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 5:02AM CDT until July 17 at 6:45AM CDT by NWS San Angelo 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
9 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
6h 21m 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.
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 353.1
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 353.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly on highways, with 78% of the route utilizing major roads. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 103.4 miles on US 81 before transitioning to US Highway 287. Expect long stretches of rural cruising with fewer exits compared to urban areas. The profile is mostly highway, indicating consistent speed limits and minimal surface street navigation for the bulk of the trip.
78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 103.4 mi on US 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 81 and US Highway 287. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.7 miles in near South Freeway.
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 13 significant decision points across 353.1 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 2.7 miles (South Freeway): Lane positioning matters here; at 3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 14.9 miles (I 35W TEXpress): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 21m. Total distance: 353.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 21m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 103.4 miles on US 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 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 2.7 miles (South Freeway): Lane positioning matters here; at 3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 14.9 miles (I 35W TEXpress): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 6.4 hours each way, a round trip means 12.7 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.
