Origin
Longview, TX
Late night in Longview on Sunday
Local time
12:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Longview, 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
8h 43m
Distance
489.6 mi
788 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$74
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
8h 36m
★
6 AM
8h 44m
8 AM
9h 0m
10 AM
8h 49m
12 PM
8h 48m
3 PM
8h 50m
5 PM
8h 59m
8 PM
8h 39m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Longview, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Amarillo, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Embark on a substantial journey from Longview, TX, to Amarillo, TX, covering 489.6 miles and requiring approximately 8 hours and 43 minutes of driving time. This highway-focused route primarily utilizes I 20 and US Highway 287, making it a practical choice for a two-day trip to avoid an overly long single day behind the wheel. With an estimated fuel cost of $74 and a need for at least two stops, planning your overnight stay will enhance the experience. You'll traverse the Great Plains region for the entirety of this Texas-spanning drive, offering a consistent, open-road feel.
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
244.8 miles from Longview, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 21m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 20 | 89.7 mi | 1h 29m |
| 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 |
| North Stemmons Freeway | 28.2 mi | 30m |
| Boykin Drive | 26.2 mi | 28m |
| US Highway 287 West | 25.7 mi | 26m |
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 89.7 mi, about 1h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Longview, TX and Amarillo, TX.
1
Start on US 80
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
West Marshall Avenue
2
Turn left onto TX 31; Spur 63
6.2 mi
·
7 min
·
North Spur 63
Use the left lane.
3
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
Toward I 20 West: Dallas
4
Merge onto I 20
90 mi
·
1 hr 29 min
·
I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight right at fork onto Spur 557
4.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Spur 557
Exit 499A
Toward Dallas
Use the slight right lane.
6
Continue on US 80
15 mi
·
16 min
·
US 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
Toward I 635 North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 635
12 mi
·
12 min
·
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 635
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Continue on I 635
4.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 27B
Toward I 35E North: Denton
Use the right lane.
12
Merge onto I 35E
28 mi
·
30 min
·
North Stemmons Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 35; US 77
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
I 35; US 77
14
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
Exit 469
Toward US 380: University Drive
15
Turn straight onto North Interstate 35
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
·
North Interstate 35
16
Turn left onto US 380
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
West University Drive
Use the straight / left lanes.
17
Continue on US 380
22 mi
·
24 min
·
US Highway 380 West
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
19
Merge onto US 81; US 287
72 mi
·
1 hr 15 min
·
North US Highway 287
20
Continue on US 281; US 287
0.8 mi
·
58 sec
·
Lloyd Ruby Overpass
21
Continue on US 277; US 281; US 287
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Central Freeway
Use the straight lane.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto US 287
5.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Northwest Freeway
Exit 3A
Toward US 287 North: Vernon, Amarillo
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
23
Continue on US 287
40 mi
·
42 min
·
US Highway 287 East
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
24
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.
25
Continue on US 287
26 mi
·
26 min
·
US Highway 287 West
Use the straight lane.
26
Continue on US 287
29 mi
·
32 min
·
East 11th Street
27
Continue on US 287
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Avenue F Northeast
28
Continue on US 287
14 mi
·
14 min
·
US Highway 287
29
Continue on US 287
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Burnett Street
30
Continue on US 287
14 mi
·
13 min
·
US Highway 287
31
Turn straight onto US 287
26 mi
·
28 min
·
Boykin Drive
32
Continue on US 287
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East 2nd Street
33
Continue on US 287
28 mi
·
28 min
·
US Highway 287
34
Continue on US 287; FM 1151
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
East 1st Street
35
Continue on US 287
20 mi
·
20 min
·
US Highway 287
36
Keep slight right at fork onto East Interstate Drive
329 ft
·
8 sec
·
East Interstate Drive
Toward East 3rd Avenue
37
Keep slight right at fork onto Southeast 3rd Avenue
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Southeast 3rd Avenue
38
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
39
Merge onto Loop 335
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
North Lakeside Drive
40
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
Toward US 60, I 40 Business: Amarillo Boulevard
41
Turn left onto I 40 Business; US Historic 66; US 60
4.4 mi
·
5 min
·
East Amarillo Boulevard
42
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
43
Continue on I 40 Business
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
East Amarillo Boulevard
44
Arrive at destination
I 40 Business; Original US Route 66; US 60
Trip Plan
Given the 8 hour 43 minute duration, splitting this drive over two days is highly recommended for comfort and safety. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight hours. Plan your stops strategically, keeping in mind the longest stretch without services is nearly 90 miles on I 20. With two recommended stops, you can break up the drive into manageable segments. Ensure your vehicle is fueled up before leaving major towns, as services can become sparse on US Highway 287. A mid-point overnight stay will make this 489.6-mile trip much more enjoyable.
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 244.8 miles from Longview, TX, or about 4h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 89.7 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 108 miles or 1h 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 244.8 miles or 4h 21m 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 244.8 miles or 4h 21m
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 38m
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 Longview, 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 Longview, TX
Aim for roughly 245 miles and 4.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Amarillo, TX
Aim for roughly 245 miles and 4.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 108 miles from Longview, 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 I 20 for about 89.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Overnight candidate
245 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 Wichita Falls, TXOvernight Options
Night 1
245 mi · about 4.4h in
A practical overnight split lands near Wichita Falls, TX after about 245 miles or 4.4 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 108 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 244.8 miles from Longview, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 89.7 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 245 miles or 4.4 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 185 decision points cluster between mile 96.9 and 267.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
96.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 39m in
|
Spur 557
Keep slight right at fork onto Spur 557 toward Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 499A
Toward Dallas
6
116.6 mi into trip
|
~2h in
Take the exit toward I 635 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 635 North
7
137.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 23m in
Take the exit toward I 35E North: Denton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 27B
Toward I 35E North: Denton
6
166.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 54m 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
267.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 45m 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
$73.98 one way
$147.96 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
171 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $80.98 | $161.95 |
| premium | $4.54 | $87.41 | $174.83 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $108.10 | $216.20 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$74
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$204–$314
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 171.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $51 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 146.9 | 1 | $51.41 | $23.50 |
| Efficient EV | 122.4 | 1 | $42.84 | $19.58 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 195.8 | 2 | $68.54 | $31.33 |
Gas CO2
171 kg
EV CO2
57 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.
Destination
Amarillo, TX
Late night in Amarillo on Sunday
Local time
12:58 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.
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
10 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
8h 43m 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 489.6
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 489.6
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 81% of the journey on major roadways. Expect long, uninterrupted stretches, including one segment of 89.7 miles on I 20. The profile is largely a highway-focused experience, meaning you'll encounter efficient travel rather than winding scenic byways. While the main roads are designed for speed, be prepared for the vast distances between services, especially as you move further into the Great Plains. The character remains consistent for most of the drive, favoring direct travel over leisurely exploration.
81% 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: 89.7 mi on I 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and US Highway 287. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 96.9 miles in near Spur 557.
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 18 significant decision points across 489.6 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 96.9 miles (Spur 557): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 116.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 137.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
On the drive from Longview, TX to Amarillo, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Dallas along the way.
Dallas
96.9 mi in
|
~1h 39m
|
via Spur 557
About the Cities
Starting in Longview, TX
Full guide →Longview is a city in the Piney Woods region of Texas. At one time a major headquarters of the vast East Texas Oil Field, petroleum remains a large part of the city's economy. Founded in 1871, the city earned its name when surveyors for the Southern Pacific Railroad noted what a "long view" they could see from a hill near the center of the new town. Longview is now home to more than 75,000 residents and has grown to be an important center of commerce and industry for the Piney Woods region of Texas.
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 89.7 miles on I 20. 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 245 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 96.9 miles (Spur 557): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 116.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 137.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 8.7 hours each way, a round trip means 17.5 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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