If you are planning to travel from Fort Worth to Amarillo, prepare for a 341.7-mile journey that typically takes about 5 hours and 10 minutes behind the wheel. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straight interstate shot, it is best approached as a full-day commitment. You should set aside a budget of roughly $51 for fuel to cover the distance across the Great Plains. While the trip is manageable in a single day, the technical nature of the roads means you will spend significant time focused on navigation. Whether you are driving for business or relocation, understanding the local road layout is essential for a smooth transit.
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
170.2 miles from Fort Worth, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 2m 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
I 35W TEXpress
8.9 mi
8m
Northwest Freeway
5.3 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
US 81
— 103.4 mi, about 1h 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Worth, TX and Amarillo, TX.
1
Start on South Freeway
54 ft·2 sec·South Freeway
2
Turn right onto Elmwood Avenue
475 ft·23 sec·Elmwood Avenue
3
At end of road, turn right onto Epps Street
0.1 mi·27 sec·Epps Street
4
Continue on East Maddox Avenue
412 ft·20 sec·East Maddox Avenue
5
At end of road, turn right onto South Freeway
321 ft·13 sec·South Freeway
6
Turn left onto East Allen Avenue
210 ft·13 sec·East Allen Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
7
Turn left onto South Freeway
0.5 mi·56 sec·South Freeway
Use the straight / left lanes.
8
Take the ramp onto US 287 Bus
0.2 mi·29 sec·US 287 Bus
Toward I 35W North
9
Merge onto I 35W; US 287 Bus
1.2 mi·1 min·South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
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.
11
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward US 81 North, US 287 North: DecaturUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto US 81; US 287
1.7 mi·1 min·US 81; US 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on US 81; US 287
102 mi·1 hr 47 min·US 81; US 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on US 281; US 287
0.8 mi·58 sec·Lloyd Ruby Overpass
15
Continue on US 277; US 281; US 287
2.4 mi·3 min·Central Freeway
Use the straight lane.
16
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.
17
Continue on US 287
40 mi·42 min·US Highway 287 East
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
18
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.
19
Continue on US 287
26 mi·26 min·US Highway 287 West
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on US 287
29 mi·32 min·East 11th Street
21
Continue on US 287
2.8 mi·3 min·Avenue F Northeast
22
Continue on US 287
14 mi·14 min·US Highway 287
23
Continue on US 287
0.7 mi·1 min·Burnett Street
24
Continue on US 287
14 mi·13 min·US Highway 287
25
Turn straight onto US 287
26 mi·28 min·Boykin Drive
26
Continue on US 287
1.6 mi·1 min·East 2nd Street
27
Continue on US 287
28 mi·28 min·US Highway 287
28
Continue on US 287; FM 1151
1.1 mi·2 min·East 1st Street
29
Continue on US 287
20 mi·20 min·US Highway 287
30
Keep slight right at fork onto East Interstate Drive
329 ft·8 sec·East Interstate Drive
Toward East 3rd Avenue
31
Keep slight right at fork onto Southeast 3rd Avenue
2.6 mi·3 min·Southeast 3rd Avenue
32
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·26 sec
33
Merge onto Loop 335
1.3 mi·1 min·North Lakeside Drive
34
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Toward US 60, I 40 Business: Amarillo Boulevard
35
Turn left onto I 40 Business; US Historic 66; US 60
4.4 mi·5 min·East Amarillo Boulevard
36
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
37
Continue on I 40 Business
0.1 mi·17 sec·East Amarillo Boulevard
38
Arrive at destination
I 40 Business; Original US Route 66; US 60
Trip Plan
To keep your stress levels low, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the 5-hour and 10-minute duration. Since you are dealing with a local road profile rather than high-speed highways, it is wise to depart early in the morning to avoid navigating complex turns in low-light conditions. Keep your $51 fuel budget in mind and look for refueling opportunities well before your gauge gets low, as the local roads may not offer the same frequency of service stations as a major interstate. Because this is a turn-intensive trip, double-check your navigation system periodically to ensure you stay on the correct path through the local segments. This flexibility is your best asset, so do not hesitate to pull over and rest whenever you feel the fatigue of the constant turning setting in.
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 170.2 miles from Fort Worth, TX, or about 3h 2m 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 75 miles or 1h 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 170.2 miles or 3h 2m 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 1m
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 Fort Worth, 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 Fort Worth, TX
This is one driving day of about 340.5 miles and 6h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 75 miles from Fort Worth, 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 118.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Epps Street
At end of road, turn right onto Epps Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
6
0.3 mi into trip|~1m in|South Freeway
At end of road, turn right onto South Freeway
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
7
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|East Allen Avenue
Turn left onto East Allen Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
7
11.2 mi into trip|~13m 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
118.5 mi into trip|~2h 8m 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
$51.45 one way
$102.90 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg119 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$56.32
$112.63
premium
$4.54
$60.79
$121.59
diesel
$5.61
$75.18
$150.36
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$51
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$76–$101
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 119.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
102.1
1
$35.75
$16.34
Efficient EV
85.1
0
$29.79
$13.62
EV Truck/SUV
136.2
1
$47.67
$21.79
Gas CO2
119 kg
EV CO2
40 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 14, 2026
Origin
Fort Worth, TX
Morning
in Fort Worth on Tuesday
Local time
7:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
S 15 mph20% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 2:58PM CDT until April 14 at 3:45PM CDT by NWS Norman OK
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 14 at 1:54PM CDT until April 14 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Destination
Amarillo, TX
Morning
in Amarillo on Tuesday
Local time
7:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
7 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 7m 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 340.5
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 340.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a very different experience than a standard interstate cruise, as this route features zero highway miles. Instead, you will navigate local thoroughfares like Elmwood Avenue, Epps Street, and East Maddox Avenue, making this a turn-heavy drive from start to finish. There are no long, uninterrupted stretches—in fact, the longest segment on Elmwood Avenue is 0 miles—meaning you will need to stay alert for frequent turns and intersections. The road’s personality is strictly local, requiring your full attention as you transition through the Great Plains landscape. It is a hands-on driving experience that demands patience as you navigate the specific route segments provided.
78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
38 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 0.1 miles in near Epps Street.
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 16 significant decision points across 340.5 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 0.1 miles (Epps Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.3 miles (South Freeway): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.4 miles (East Allen Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
Fort Worth is a city in the Prairies and Lakes region of Texas. With a population of approximately 1,020,000, it is Texas' 5th largest city. It is part of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, which has a population exceeding 6 million. Sometimes referred to as Cowtown, it is by far closer to its cowboy roots than neighboring Dallas. This article also covers North Richland Hills, a neighboring community.
Top landmarks
•Amon Carter Museum of American Art — art museum in Fort Worth, Texas
•Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth — art museum
•St. Patrick Cathedral in Fort Worth — church located in Fort Worth, Texas
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 7m. Total distance: 340.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 7m 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 0.1 miles (Epps Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.3 miles (South Freeway): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.4 miles (East Allen Avenue): 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 6.1 hours each way, a round trip means 12.2 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.
