Livingston, TX to Amarillo, TX is 578.3 miles and takes about 10h 16m via US Highway 287, with a fuel budget near $84 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive, recommended over 2 days, will take you from the Great Plains region of Texas into another part of the Great Plains. Given its long-haul profile, expect a significant amount of time behind the wheel. It's a straightforward trip across the state, primarily on major highways, making it a solid choice if you need to cover a lot of ground efficiently.
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
289.2 miles from Livingston, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 5h 6m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 81
103.4 mi
1h 49m
I 45
100.1 mi
1h 42m
US Highway 287
75.4 mi
1h 17m
US 190
68.7 mi
1h 8m
West Church Street
42.5 mi
49m
US Highway 287 East
40.5 mi
42m
East 11th Street
28.7 mi
32m
Boykin Drive
26.2 mi
28m
Longest stretch:
US 81
— 103.4 mi, about 1h 49m
Traffic on I-45
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,927 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,389
Quietest
2 AM
~288 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 45 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 Livingston, TX and Amarillo, TX.
1
Start on US 59 Business
11 ft·4 sec·North Washington Avenue
2
Turn right onto US 190
42 mi·49 min·West Church Street
3
Continue on US 190; TX 30
1.7 mi·2 min·11th Street
4
Turn right onto US 190
0.6 mi·1 min·Interstate 45 North
5
Take the ramp onto US 190
69 mi·1 hr 8 min·US 190
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 45
100 mi·1 hr 42 min·I 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 286AToward Waco, DentonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on Spur 366
0.9 mi·1 min·Woodall Rodgers Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·48 sec
Toward I 35E North: DentonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 35E
4.1 mi·5 min·North Stemmons Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 183
0.8 mi·48 sec·John W Carpenter Freeway
Exit 433AToward TX 183: Irving, DFW AirportUse the slight left / straight lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 183 TEXpress
1.5 mi·1 min·SH 183 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 183 TEXpress
15 mi·14 min·SH 183 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on TX 121 TEXpress; TX 183 TEXpress
2.0 mi·2 min·SH 121/183 TEXpress
15
Continue on TX 183 TEXpress
0.1 mi·7 sec·SH 183 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on TX 121 TEXpress; TX 183 TEXpress
0.7 mi·42 sec·SH 121/183 TEXpress
17
Continue on I 820 TEXpress
6.2 mi·6 min·I 820 TEXpress
Toward I 820 Express West TollUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward I 35W Express: Fort Worth, Denton
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.8 mi·50 sec
Toward I 35W Express North: DentonUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
20
Merge onto I 35W TEXpress
2.3 mi·2 min·I 35W TEXpress
21
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward US 81 North, US 287 North: DecaturUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Merge onto US 81; US 287
1.7 mi·1 min·US 81; US 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on US 81; US 287
102 mi·1 hr 47 min·US 81; US 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on US 281; US 287
0.8 mi·58 sec·Lloyd Ruby Overpass
25
Continue on US 277; US 281; US 287
2.4 mi·3 min·Central Freeway
Use the straight lane.
26
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.
27
Continue on US 287
40 mi·42 min·US Highway 287 East
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
28
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.
29
Continue on US 287
26 mi·26 min·US Highway 287 West
Use the straight lane.
30
Continue on US 287
29 mi·32 min·East 11th Street
31
Continue on US 287
2.8 mi·3 min·Avenue F Northeast
32
Continue on US 287
14 mi·14 min·US Highway 287
33
Continue on US 287
0.7 mi·1 min·Burnett Street
34
Continue on US 287
14 mi·13 min·US Highway 287
35
Turn straight onto US 287
26 mi·28 min·Boykin Drive
36
Continue on US 287
1.6 mi·1 min·East 2nd Street
37
Continue on US 287
28 mi·28 min·US Highway 287
38
Continue on US 287; FM 1151
1.1 mi·2 min·East 1st Street
39
Continue on US 287
20 mi·20 min·US Highway 287
40
Keep slight right at fork onto East Interstate Drive
329 ft·8 sec·East Interstate Drive
Toward East 3rd Avenue
41
Keep slight right at fork onto Southeast 3rd Avenue
2.6 mi·3 min·Southeast 3rd Avenue
42
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·26 sec
43
Merge onto Loop 335
1.3 mi·1 min·North Lakeside Drive
44
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Toward US 60, I 40 Business: Amarillo Boulevard
45
Turn left onto I 40 Business; US Historic 66; US 60
4.4 mi·5 min·East Amarillo Boulevard
46
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
47
Continue on I 40 Business
0.1 mi·17 sec·East Amarillo Boulevard
48
Arrive at destination
I 40 Business; Original US Route 66; US 60
Trip Plan
For this 10-hour drive, it's best to plan for an overnight stop; splitting the 578.3 miles into two days makes the trip much more manageable. Aim to leave early in the morning to maximize daylight driving. With a fuel cost estimated at $84, keep an eye on gas prices and fill up strategically, especially before longer stretches like the 103.4 miles on US 81. Planning your overnight stop around the halfway point, roughly 5 hours in, will help you pace the drive effectively.
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 289.2 miles from Livingston, TX, or about 5h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 103.4 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 127 miles or 2h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 289.2 miles or 5h 6m 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 289.2 miles or 5h 6m
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 9h 11m
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 Livingston, 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 Livingston, TX
Aim for roughly 289 miles and 5.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Amarillo, TX
Aim for roughly 289 miles and 5.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 127 miles from Livingston, 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 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 213.6 and 356.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
213.6 mi into trip|~3h 44m in
Take the exit toward Waco, Denton
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 286A
Toward Waco, Denton
9
219.5 mi into trip|~3h 53m in|TX 183 / John W Carpenter Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 183 / John W Carpenter Freeway toward TX 183: Irving, DFW Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 433A
Toward TX 183: Irving, DFW Airport
7
245.9 mi into trip|~4h 19m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 35W Express North: Denton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35W Express North: Denton
7
249.1 mi into trip|~4h 23m 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
356.4 mi into trip|~6h 18m 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
$79.21 one way
$158.42 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg202 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$88.48
$176.95
premium
$4.23
$96.19
$192.39
diesel
$4.80
$109.19
$218.39
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$79
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$209–$319
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 202.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $61 in charging
· 2 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
173.5
2
$60.72
$27.76
Efficient EV
144.6
1
$50.60
$23.13
EV Truck/SUV
231.3
2
$80.96
$37.01
Gas CO2
202 kg
EV CO2
68 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Jul 16, 2026
Origin
Livingston, TX
Evening
in Livingston on Monday
Local time
7:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 5 mph19% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 4:06PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 4:03PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Destination
Amarillo, TX
Evening
in Amarillo on Monday
Local time
7:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
87°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 10 mph10% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 4:06PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 4:03PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
102°F
Mesquite, TX
191 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
5 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
10h 16m 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.
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 578.3
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 578.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 79% of this 578.3-mile trip on highways. The longest continuous stretch without a major break is 103.4 miles, primarily on US 81. Expect to transition from highway cruising to potentially more varied surface roads as you approach your destination. The presence of 2 recommended stops suggests there are points along the way to break up the drive, but be prepared for some extended periods of steady driving.
79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
48 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?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 81 and I 45. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 213.6 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 21 significant decision points across 578.3 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 213.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 219.5 miles (TX 183 / John W Carpenter Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 245.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
3,670 ft169 ft
Total Climb
3,696 ft
Total Descent
196 ft
Highest Point
3,670 ft
~578.3 mi in
Elevation Range
3,501 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Livingston, TX and Amarillo, TX, road signs point toward Waco, Denton and Dfw Airport.
The longest stretch is about 103.4 miles on US 81. 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 289 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 213.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 219.5 miles (TX 183 / John W Carpenter Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 245.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 10.3 hours each way, a round trip means 20.6 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.
