Garland, TX to Pampa, TX is 445.5 miles and takes about 8 hours 22 minutes via US 82 and US Highway 287 East, with a fuel budget near $70 and enough daylight to finish in a day if pushed, but it's better as a two-day trip. This route stays within the Great Plains region, offering a consistent landscape as you head north. The drive is primarily highway, making it a straightforward connection between North Texas and the Panhandle. Consider this trip if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground between these two Texas locations.
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
222.8 miles from Garland, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 11m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 82
86.6 mi
1h 36m
US Highway 82 West
72.5 mi
1h 18m
US Highway 287 East
40.5 mi
42m
State Highway 70
39.9 mi
52m
East 11th Street
28.7 mi
32m
US Highway 287
27.3 mi
28m
Boykin Drive
26.2 mi
28m
US Highway 287 West
25.7 mi
26m
Longest stretch:
US 82
— 86.6 mi, about 1h 36m
Traffic on I-40
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~442 veh/hr typical
· worst 553
Quietest
3 AM
~107 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
4.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 36 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 Garland, TX and Pampa, TX.
1
Start on FM 1701
1.5 mi·3 min·FM 1701
2
Turn left onto County Road 3215
0.1 mi·37 sec·County Road 3215
3
Turn left onto US 82
27 mi·31 min·US 82
4
Turn right onto US 82
1.6 mi·1 min·West Main Street
5
Continue on US 82
17 mi·18 min·US Highway 82 West
6
Continue on US 82
2.0 mi·2 min·East Front Street
7
Continue on US 82
2.9 mi·3 min·US Highway 82 East
8
Continue on US 82
3.2 mi·3 min·Lamar Road
9
Continue on US 82
2.8 mi·4 min·Lamar Avenue
10
Continue on US 82 Business
3.4 mi·4 min·Bonham Street
11
Continue on US 82
56 mi·59 min·US Highway 82 West
12
Continue on US 82
23 mi·24 min·East Buck Owens Freeway
13
Continue on US 82
12 mi·14 min·East US Highway 82
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Continue on US 82
12 mi·13 min·J M Lindsay Boulevard
15
Continue on US 82
10 mi·11 min·Division Street
16
Turn straight onto US 82
25 mi·27 min·US 82
17
Merge onto US 82
35 mi·37 min·US 82
18
Continue on US 281; US 287
0.8 mi·58 sec·Lloyd Ruby Overpass
19
Continue on US 277; US 281; US 287
2.4 mi·3 min·Central Freeway
Use the straight lane.
20
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.
21
Continue on US 287
40 mi·42 min·US Highway 287 East
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
22
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.
23
Continue on US 287
26 mi·26 min·US Highway 287 West
Use the straight lane.
24
Continue on US 287
29 mi·32 min·East 11th Street
25
Continue on US 287
2.8 mi·3 min·Avenue F Northeast
26
Continue on US 287
14 mi·14 min·US Highway 287
27
Continue on US 287
0.7 mi·1 min·Burnett Street
28
Continue on US 287
14 mi·13 min·US Highway 287
29
Turn straight onto US 287
26 mi·28 min·Boykin Drive
30
Continue on US 287
1.6 mi·1 min·East 2nd Street
31
Turn right onto TX 70
17 mi·25 min·State Highway 70
32
Continue on TX 70
0.3 mi·26 sec·I 40 Service Road
33
Take the ramp onto TX 70
2.7 mi·2 min·TX 70
Toward I 40 West: Amarillo
34
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Exit 121Toward TX 70 North: Pampa
35
Continue on TX 70
0.5 mi·53 sec·I 40 Service Road
36
Turn right onto TX 70
23 mi·27 min·State Highway 70
37
Continue on TX 70
0.5 mi·54 sec·South Hobart Street
38
Take the ramp
169 ft·4 sec
39
Merge onto US 60; TX 152
46 ft·0 sec·West Wilks Street
40
Continue on US 60; TX 152
0.8 mi·1 min·West Brown Street
41
Turn left onto South Cuyler Street
0.2 mi·25 sec·South Cuyler Street
42
Turn right onto East Atchison Avenue
416 ft·17 sec·East Atchison Avenue
43
Turn left onto South Ballard Street
268 ft·7 sec·South Ballard Street
44
Arrive at destination
South Ballard Street
Trip Plan
Given the 8-hour drive time, splitting this trip over two days is highly recommended to avoid fatigue. Aim to depart early on your first day to make good progress, perhaps reaching a midway point around Wichita Falls. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 86.6-mile stretch on US 82, as services can become more spaced out. Planning your overnight stop around the halfway mark will allow for a more relaxed second day of driving into Pampa.
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 222.8 miles from Garland, TX, or about 4h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 86.6 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 98 miles or 1h 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 222.8 miles or 4h 11m 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 222.8 miles or 4h 11m
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 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pampa, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Garland, 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 Garland, TX
Aim for roughly 223 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Pampa, TX
Aim for roughly 223 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 98 miles from Garland, 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 US 82 for about 86.6 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 237.4 and 445.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
237.4 mi into trip|~4h 28m 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
5
420.1 mi into trip|~7h 51m in
Take the exit toward TX 70 North: Pampa
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 121
Toward TX 70 North: Pampa
5
444.4 mi into trip|~8h 21m in|US 60; TX 152 / West Wilks Street
Merge onto US 60; TX 152 / West Wilks Street
Merge point - match speed before joining
5
445.4 mi into trip|~8h 22m in|East Atchison Avenue
Turn right onto East Atchison Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
445.5 mi into trip|~8h 22m in|South Ballard Street
Turn left onto South Ballard Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$61.02 one way
$122.04 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg156 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$68.16
$136.32
premium
$4.23
$74.10
$148.21
diesel
$4.80
$84.12
$168.24
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$61
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$191–$301
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 155.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $47 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
133.7
1
$46.78
$21.38
Efficient EV
111.4
1
$38.98
$17.82
EV Truck/SUV
178.2
2
$62.37
$28.51
Gas CO2
156 kg
EV CO2
52 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
Garland, TX
Late night
in Garland on Monday
Local time
1:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
S 0 to 5 mph23% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 7:29PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 6:26PM CDT until July 17 at 11:37AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Destination
Pampa, TX
Late night
in Pampa on Monday
Local time
1:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Partly Cloudy
SSE 10 to 15 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 7:29PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 6:26PM CDT until July 17 at 11:37AM 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.
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
8 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 22m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 77% of your time on highways, with the longest continuous stretch measuring 86.6 miles along US 82. This means you'll experience significant periods of rural cruising. The transition from more developed areas to open country will be noticeable as you progress. Expect fewer exits and more consistent speeds for extended durations.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
44 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 86.6 mi on US 82.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 82 and US Highway 82 West. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 237.4 miles in near US 287 / Northwest Freeway.
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 445.5 miles you will encounter 13 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 237.4 miles (US 287 / Northwest Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 420.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 444.4 miles (US 60; TX 152 / West Wilks Street): Merge point - match speed before joining.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
3,237 ft386 ft
Total Climb
2,851 ft
Total Descent
0 ft
Highest Point
3,237 ft
~445.5 mi in
Elevation Range
2,851 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 Garland, TX to Pampa, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Amarillo along the way.
Amarillo
237.4 mi in|~4h 28m|via US 287
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Garland is a city in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex area in the State of Texas. Mike Judge, the creator of Beavis and Butthead and King of the Hill, used to live in Garland, as well as some other small towns around Texas. So, yeah. Don't be shocked if you take a wrong turn through a downscale neighborhood and see someone barbecuing hot dogs using one of those things that turns your truck's air filter into a grill. On the other hand, Garland's north side is a palacial monument to suburban living in all its McMansioned, strip malling, Starbucks-sipping glory. Garland is basically an unprepossessing, pleasant place. While it's hard to get too excited about much that happens in Garland, it is just so darned pleasant.
Pampa is the second largest city in the High Plains region of the Texas Panhandle. Pampa hosts the Top o' Texas Rodeo each year in July, which brings competitors from Texas and the surrounding states to Gray County. The White Deer Land Company Museum, which showcases ranching exhibits, is in downtown Pampa. In 2020, it was home to 17,000 people.
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
8h 22m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 86.6 miles on US 82. 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 223 miles on day one.
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 Pampa, 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 237.4 miles (US 287 / Northwest Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 420.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 444.4 miles (US 60; TX 152 / West Wilks Street): Merge point - match speed before joining.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.4 hours each way, a round trip means 16.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Pampa, TX before the return drive.
