This 340.7-mile drive from Lewisville, TX to Amarillo, TX, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can comfortably be completed in about 6 hours and 8 minutes. Primarily utilizing US Highway 287, this route is ideal for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. With an estimated fuel cost of $51, it's an economical option for exploring the vast Great Plains region of Texas. The overall feel is one of steady progress across the landscape, making it a practical choice for those looking to cover ground 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
170.4 miles from Lewisville, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 4m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US Highway 287
75.4 mi
1h 17m
North US Highway 287
72.5 mi
1h 15m
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
US Highway 380 West
21.5 mi
24m
North Stemmons Freeway
16.2 mi
17m
Longest stretch:
US Highway 287
— 75.4 mi, about 1h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lewisville, TX and Amarillo, TX.
1
Start on South Mill Street
367 ft·16 sec·South Mill Street
2
Turn left onto West Church Street
0.3 mi·33 sec·West Church Street
3
Continue on West Main Street
0.5 mi·1 min·West Main Street
4
Turn right onto North Stemmons Freeway
0.6 mi·50 sec·North Stemmons Freeway
5
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward I 35E North, US 77 North
6
Merge onto I 35E
16 mi·16 min·North Stemmons Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 35; US 77
0.1 mi·9 sec·I 35; US 77
8
Take the exit
0.1 mi·16 sec
Exit 469Toward US 380: University Drive
9
Turn straight onto North Interstate 35
0.4 mi·47 sec·North Interstate 35
10
Turn left onto US 380
3.4 mi·4 min·West University Drive
Use the straight / left lanes.
11
Continue on US 380
22 mi·24 min·US Highway 380 West
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
13
Merge onto US 81; US 287
72 mi·1 hr 15 min·North US Highway 287
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
For this 6-hour, 8-minute drive, departing Lewisville in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight. With only one planned stop and a longest stretch of 75.4 miles, you can easily manage your time. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longer stretches, and consider a mid-point break to stretch your legs. The fuel cost is estimated at $51 for the 340.7 miles, so factor that into your budget. Given it's a manageable day trip, you have flexibility on when to depart and how frequently you choose to pull over.
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 170.4 miles from Lewisville, TX, or about 3h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 75.4 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 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 170.4 miles or 3h 4m 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 3m
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 Lewisville, 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 Lewisville, TX
This is one driving day of about 340.7 miles and 6h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 75 miles from Lewisville, 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 Highway 287 for about 75.4 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.6 and 335.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.6 mi into trip|~2m in|I 35E / North Stemmons Freeway
Merge onto I 35E / North Stemmons Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
17.3 mi into trip|~19m in
Take the exit toward US 380: University Drive
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 469
Toward US 380: University Drive
9
118.8 mi into trip|~2h 10m 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
330.9 mi into trip|~5h 55m in|East Interstate Drive
Keep slight right at fork onto East Interstate Drive toward East 3rd Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward East 3rd Avenue
5
335.1 mi into trip|~6h 1m in
Take the exit toward US 60, I 40 Business: Amarillo Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 60, I 40 Business: Amarillo Boulevard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$51.48 one way
$102.96 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg119 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$56.35
$112.70
premium
$4.54
$60.83
$121.66
diesel
$5.61
$75.22
$150.44
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: 119.2 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
102.2
1
$35.77
$16.35
Efficient EV
85.2
0
$29.81
$13.63
EV Truck/SUV
136.3
1
$47.70
$21.80
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 15, 2026
Origin
Lewisville, TX
Late night
in Lewisville on Sunday
Local time
3:49 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Amarillo, TX
Late night
in Amarillo on Sunday
Local time
3:49 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°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
24 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
6h 8m 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 340.7
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 340.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience for 77% of this 340.7-mile trip, largely along US Highway 287. The drive offers long stretches of open road, including one uninterrupted segment of 75.4 miles on US Highway 287, which allows for a consistent pace. While primarily highway, the route still provides a sense of progression through the Great Plains. You'll spend most of your time on well-maintained roadways, facilitating a smooth and predictable journey.
77% 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: 75.4 mi on US Highway 287.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 287 and North US Highway 287. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.6 miles in near I 35E / North Stemmons 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 14 significant decision points across 340.7 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 1.6 miles (I 35E / North Stemmons Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 17.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 118.8 miles (US 287 / Northwest Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 8m. Total distance: 340.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 8m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 75.4 miles on US Highway 287. 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 1.6 miles (I 35E / North Stemmons Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 17.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 118.8 miles (US 287 / Northwest Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. 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 6.1 hours each way, a round trip means 12.3 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.
