Origin
Harlingen, TX
Night in Harlingen on Saturday
Local time
11:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Harlingen, TX to Amarillo, TX
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
13h 35m
Distance
755.7 mi
1,216 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$114
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
13h 23m
★
6 AM
13h 35m
8 AM
13h 59m
10 AM
13h 44m
12 PM
13h 41m
3 PM
13h 45m
5 PM
13h 58m
8 PM
13h 28m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Harlingen, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Amarillo, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 755.7-mile journey from Harlingen, TX to Amarillo, TX is a substantial undertaking, requiring an estimated 13 hours and 35 minutes of driving time. Given its length, it's definitely a trip best split over two days, allowing for a more relaxed pace. The route primarily utilizes US 281 and I-10, with a significant 66% of the drive on highways. You can expect a fuel cost of around $114 for this trek. This long-distance drive will take you across the expansive Great Plains region of Texas, offering a sense of wide-open spaces.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
3 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
377.8 miles from Harlingen, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 6h 55m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 281 | 122.7 mi | 2h 12m |
| Marshall Formby Memorial Highway | 109.9 mi | 1h 51m |
| I 10 | 98.7 mi | 1h 37m |
| U.S. Highway 77 | 88 mi | 1h 37m |
| US 84 | 74.5 mi | 1h 14m |
| Frisco Avenue | 41.9 mi | 44m |
| State Highway 153 | 29.5 mi | 33m |
| North Main Street | 29.3 mi | 30m |
Longest stretch:
US 281
— 122.7 mi, about 2h 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Harlingen, TX and Amarillo, TX.
1
Start on South Commerce Street
14 ft
·
3 sec
·
South Commerce Street
2
Turn left onto West Harrison Avenue
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
West Harrison Avenue
3
Turn right onto North Expressway 77
428 ft
·
12 sec
·
North Expressway 77
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward I 69E North, US 77 North
5
Merge onto I 69E; US 77
88 mi
·
1 hr 37 min
·
U.S. Highway 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
8 sec
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
8
Turn left onto FM 772
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
FM 772
9
Turn straight onto US 77 Business
4.4 mi
·
7 min
·
South 6th Street
10
Turn left onto TX 141
14 mi
·
17 min
·
West King Avenue
11
Take the ramp
0.6 mi
·
1 min
12
Merge onto US 281
54 mi
·
1 hr 1 min
·
US 281
13
Keep slight left at fork onto US 281
15 mi
·
18 min
·
Nueces Street
14
Continue on US 281
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
US 281
15
Take the exit onto US 281
68 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
US 281
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 140B
Toward Cesar Estrada Chavez Boulevard, Alamodome
Use the slight right lane.
17
Turn left onto East César E. Chávez Boulevard
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
East César E. Chávez Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
18
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I 10 West, I 35 North
19
Merge onto I 10; I 35; US 87
93 ft
·
1 sec
·
South Pan Am Expressway
20
Take the exit onto I 10; US 87
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
McDermott Freeway
Exit 156
Toward I 10 West, US 87 North: El Paso
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 87
15 mi
·
17 min
·
McDermott Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
99 mi
·
1 hr 37 min
·
I 10; US 87
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
23
Take the exit onto US 83
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
US 83
Exit 456
Toward US 83 North, US 377: Junction, Menard
24
Turn right onto US 83; US 377
29 mi
·
30 min
·
North Main Street
Use the right lane.
25
Continue on US 83
42 mi
·
44 min
·
Frisco Avenue
26
Continue on US 83
17 mi
·
18 min
·
Roberts Avenue
27
Turn right onto US 67; US 83
387 ft
·
18 sec
·
Hutchings Avenue
Use the right lane.
28
Turn left onto TX 158
6.3 mi
·
7 min
·
North Broadway Street
Use the left lane.
29
Turn right onto FM 2111
12 mi
·
13 min
·
FM 2111
30
Turn left onto TX 153
29 mi
·
33 min
·
State Highway 153
31
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 153
19 ft
·
0 sec
·
State Highway 153
32
Turn right onto TX 70
10 mi
·
10 min
·
State Highway 70
33
Continue on TX 70
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Lamar Street
34
Turn left onto Northwest Georgia Avenue
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
Northwest Georgia Avenue
35
Take the ramp
340 ft
·
8 sec
Toward I 20 West: Midland
36
Merge onto I 20; US 84
6.0 mi
·
5 min
·
I 20; US 84
37
Take the exit onto US 84
0.3 mi
·
19 sec
·
US 84
Exit 238A
Toward US 84 West: Snyder, Lubbock
38
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84
74 mi
·
1 hr 14 min
·
US 84
39
Turn right onto Loop 46
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Avenue F
40
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 207
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
North Avenue F
41
Turn straight onto TX 207
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
·
Ralls Road
42
Turn left onto Spur 575
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
East 15th Street
43
Turn right onto US 84
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North US Highway 84
44
Continue on US 84
20 mi
·
19 min
·
Highway 84
45
Continue on US 84
4.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Trooper Jerry Don Davis Memorial Highway
46
Continue on US 84
6.8 mi
·
6 min
·
East Highway 84
47
Continue on US 84
4.5 mi
·
5 min
·
Slaton Road
48
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
49
Turn slight right onto Interstate 27
321 ft
·
6 sec
·
Interstate 27
50
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
51
Merge onto I 27; US 87
110 mi
·
1 hr 51 min
·
Marshall Formby Memorial Highway
52
Continue on I 27; US 60; US 87
13 mi
·
15 min
·
Canyon Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
53
Keep slight left at fork onto US 87
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
US 87
Toward US 87 North
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
54
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.
55
Turn right onto I 40 Business; Original US Route 66; US 60
105 ft
·
1 sec
·
East Amarillo Boulevard
56
Arrive at destination
I 40 Business; Original US Route 66; US 60
Trip Plan
For this 13.5-hour drive, planning an overnight stop is highly recommended to avoid fatigue. Aim to depart early in the morning to maximize daylight driving. With a total of 3 stops suggested, be sure to factor in breaks for fuel and rest, especially considering the longest stretch of 122.7 miles on US 281. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $114, and gas stations might be more spaced out on certain segments. Splitting the drive over two days will make the 755.7 miles much more manageable.
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 3 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 377.8 miles from Harlingen, TX, or about 6h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 122.7 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 166 miles or 3h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 377.8 miles or 6h 55m 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 377.8 miles or 6h 55m
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 12h 30m
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 Harlingen, 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 Harlingen, TX
Aim for roughly 378 miles and 6.8 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Amarillo, TX
Aim for roughly 378 miles and 6.8 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 166 miles from Harlingen, TX.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 3 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 281 for about 122.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
249 mi into the route
Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch
This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.
Second major stop
Overnight candidate
499 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Sweetwater, TXOvernight Options
Night 1
378 mi · about 6.8h in
A practical overnight split lands near Live Oak, TX after about 378 miles or 6.8 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 166 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 377.8 miles from Harlingen, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 281 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 122.7 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 378 miles or 6.8 hours on the road.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 435 decision points cluster between mile 247.6 and 754.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
247.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 41m in
Take the exit toward Cesar Estrada Chavez Boulevard, Alamodome
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 140B
Toward Cesar Estrada Chavez Boulevard, Alamodom...
8
249.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 45m in
|
I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway
Take the exit onto I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway toward I 10 West, US 87 North: El Paso
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.
Exit 156
Toward I 10 West, US 87 North: El Paso
6
250.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 46m in
|
I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
264.9 mi into trip
|
~5h 3m in
|
I 10; US 87
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
754.1 mi into trip
|
~13h 30m 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
$114.19 one way
$228.38 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
264 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $124.99 | $249.98 |
| premium | $4.54 | $134.93 | $269.85 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $166.85 | $333.70 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$114
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$244–$354
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 264.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $79 in charging · 2 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 226.7 | 2 | $79.35 | $36.27 |
| Efficient EV | 188.9 | 2 | $66.12 | $30.23 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 302.3 | 3 | $105.80 | $48.36 |
Gas CO2
264 kg
EV CO2
88 kg (67% less)
Plan for 2 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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.
Destination
Amarillo, TX
Night in Amarillo on Saturday
Local time
11:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
59°F
Sweetwater, TX
499 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
16 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
13h 35m 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.
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Welcome to San Antonio Missions, a National Park Service site and the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas. Each mission in the park is a center of community and has been since the early 1700s. Th...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 234.5
View on nps.gov
Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park
National Historical Park
On May 8, 1846, U.S. and Mexican troops clashed on the prairie of Palo Alto. The battle was the first in a two-year long war that changed the map of North America. Although the two countries have deve...
18 mi from route
~46 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
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 755.7
View on nps.gov
Padre Island National Seashore
National Seashore
Protecting sixty-six miles of wild coastline along the Gulf of America, the narrow barrier island is home to one of the last intact coastal prairie habitats in the United States. Along the hypersaline...
28 mi from route
~71 min detour
$25
near mile 52.1
View on nps.gov
Lake Meredith National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
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 755.7
View on nps.gov
Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park tells the story of our 36th president beginning with his ancestors until his final resting place on his beloved LBJ Ranch. This entire "circle of life" gives...
29 mi from route
~72 min detour
Free
near mile 286.6
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
The character of this drive is largely defined by its 66% highway share, suggesting a good portion of faster travel. However, the route also incorporates other main roads like US 281, which can offer a different driving experience. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 122.7 miles on US 281, indicating a period of sustained driving without major town interruptions. The overall feel is a long-distance haul, likely with varied scenery as you traverse different parts of Texas.
66% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
56 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 122.7 mi on US 281.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
At 13h 35m, this is a long-haul route where pacing matters more than any single turn. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 247.6 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 43 significant decision points across 755.7 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 247.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 249.4 miles (I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 250.3 miles (I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway): 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Harlingen, TX and Amarillo, TX, road signs point toward Alamodome, Menard and Lubbock.
Alamodome
247.6 mi in
|
~4h 41m
Menard
363.6 mi in
|
~6h 40m
|
via US 83
Lubbock
517.1 mi in
|
~9h 27m
|
via US 84
About the Cities
Arriving in Amarillo, TX
Full guide →Amarillo, which means "yellow" in Spanish, is the center of the Texas Panhandle at the edge of the Great Plains.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 122.7 miles on US 281. 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 378 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 3 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 247.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 249.4 miles (I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 250.3 miles (I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park and Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 13.6 hours each way, a round trip means 27.2 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.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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