Missouri City, TX to Amarillo, TX is 608 miles and takes about 10h 56m via US 81 and US Highway 287, with a fuel budget near $88 and best split over two days. This long-haul drive traverses the Great Plains region of Texas, offering a straightforward path north. Given the 10-hour driving time, it's best planned as a two-day trip to avoid excessive fatigue. You'll encounter a mix of highway cruising and surface roads as you make your way across the state.
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
304 miles from Missouri City, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 5h 30m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 81
103.4 mi
1h 49m
US Highway 287
75.4 mi
1h 17m
TX 6
69 mi
1h 15m
I 35W
51.5 mi
54m
North State Highway 6
43.3 mi
43m
Northwest Freeway
40.7 mi
46m
US Highway 287 East
40.5 mi
42m
Purple Heart Trail
31.5 mi
31m
Longest stretch:
US 81
— 103.4 mi, about 1h 49m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 14 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~2,798 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,547
Quietest
2 AM
~420 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Missouri City, TX and Amarillo, TX.
1
Start on this road
33 ft·2 sec·this road
2
Turn right
0.4 mi·39 sec
3
Merge onto US 90 Alt
0.6 mi·49 sec·Main Street
4
Take the exit
0.4 mi·46 sec
Toward Beltway 8, Sam Houston Tollway
5
Turn left
127 ft·5 sec
Use the left lane.
6
Turn left onto BW 8
0.5 mi·56 sec·South Sam Houston Parkway West
7
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·55 sec
Toward SHT Toll North
8
Merge onto SHT
1.7 mi·1 min·South Sam Houston Tollway West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on BW 8
1.9 mi·2 min·South Sam Houston Parkway West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on SHT
12 mi·14 min·West Sam Houston Tollway South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit onto SHT
0.4 mi·27 sec·West Sam Houston Tollway North
Use the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto SHT
0.7 mi·48 sec·West Sam Houston Tollway North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·28 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward US 290 West: AustinUse the slight left lane.
15
Merge onto US 290
35 mi·40 min·Northwest Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
16
Take the exit onto TX 6
0.3 mi·36 sec·TX 6
Toward College Station, BryanUse the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·19 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn right
0.2 mi·12 sec
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Continue on TX 6
11 mi·12 min·TX 6
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Turn straight onto TX 6
58 mi·1 hr 1 min·TX 6
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 6
5.8 mi·5 min·North State Highway 6
22
Continue on TX 6
2.2 mi·3 min·South Main Street
23
Continue on TX 6
37 mi·37 min·North State Highway 6
24
Continue on TX 6
2.2 mi·2 min·South Memorial Street
25
Continue on TX 6
9.1 mi·9 min·East State Highway 6
26
Take the exit onto TX 6
0.3 mi·33 sec·TX 6
27
Turn right onto Loop 340
4.9 mi·6 min·East Loop 340
28
Take the exit
354 ft·10 sec
29
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·23 sec
Toward I 35 North
30
Merge onto I 35; US 77
31 mi·31 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
52 mi·54 min·I 35W
Toward I 35W: Fort WorthUse the slight left lane.
32
Take the exit onto I 35W TEXpress
8.9 mi·8 min·I 35W TEXpress
Toward I 35W Express North: I 35W TEXpress NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward US 81 North, US 287 North: DecaturUse the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Merge onto US 81; US 287
1.7 mi·1 min·US 81; US 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Continue on US 81; US 287
102 mi·1 hr 47 min·US 81; US 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Continue on US 281; US 287
0.8 mi·58 sec·Lloyd Ruby Overpass
37
Continue on US 277; US 281; US 287
2.4 mi·3 min·Central Freeway
Use the straight lane.
38
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.
39
Continue on US 287
40 mi·42 min·US Highway 287 East
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
40
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.
41
Continue on US 287
26 mi·26 min·US Highway 287 West
Use the straight lane.
42
Continue on US 287
29 mi·32 min·East 11th Street
43
Continue on US 287
2.8 mi·3 min·Avenue F Northeast
44
Continue on US 287
14 mi·14 min·US Highway 287
45
Continue on US 287
0.7 mi·1 min·Burnett Street
46
Continue on US 287
14 mi·13 min·US Highway 287
47
Turn straight onto US 287
26 mi·28 min·Boykin Drive
48
Continue on US 287
1.6 mi·1 min·East 2nd Street
49
Continue on US 287
28 mi·28 min·US Highway 287
50
Continue on US 287; FM 1151
1.1 mi·2 min·East 1st Street
51
Continue on US 287
20 mi·20 min·US Highway 287
52
Keep slight right at fork onto East Interstate Drive
329 ft·8 sec·East Interstate Drive
Toward East 3rd Avenue
53
Keep slight right at fork onto Southeast 3rd Avenue
2.6 mi·3 min·Southeast 3rd Avenue
54
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·26 sec
55
Merge onto Loop 335
1.3 mi·1 min·North Lakeside Drive
56
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Toward US 60, I 40 Business: Amarillo Boulevard
57
Turn left onto I 40 Business; US Historic 66; US 60
4.4 mi·5 min·East Amarillo Boulevard
58
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
59
Continue on I 40 Business
0.1 mi·17 sec·East Amarillo Boulevard
60
Arrive at destination
I 40 Business; Original US Route 66; US 60
Trip Plan
This is a 608-mile drive best tackled over two days, so plan for an overnight stop. Departing early in the morning will allow you to cover a good portion of the distance on your first day. With 3 planned stops, you can break up the drive effectively. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longer stretches, as services can be spaced out in rural Texas. Consider splitting the drive roughly in half, aiming for a town with ample lodging options midway.
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 304 miles from Missouri City, TX, or about 5h 30m 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 134 miles or 2h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 304 miles or 5h 30m 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 304 miles or 5h 30m
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 51m
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 Missouri City, 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 Missouri City, TX
Aim for roughly 304 miles and 5.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Amarillo, TX
Aim for roughly 304 miles and 5.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 134 miles from Missouri City, 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 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 32
5 decision points cluster between mile 19.5 and 386.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
19.5 mi into trip|~24m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 290 West: Austin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward US 290 West: Austin
7
55.5 mi into trip|~1h 5m in|TX 6
Take the exit onto TX 6 toward College Station, Bryan
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward College Station, Bryan
7
55.8 mi into trip|~1h 6m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
218.4 mi into trip|~3h 59m in|I 35W
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W toward I 35W: Fort Worth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 35W: Fort Worth
9
386.1 mi into trip|~6h 58m 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
$83.28 one way
$166.55 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg213 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$93.02
$186.04
premium
$4.23
$101.13
$202.27
diesel
$4.80
$114.80
$229.60
Estimated Tolls: $1.21
Sam Houston Tollway
(15 mi)$1.21
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$83
Tolls
$1
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$214–$324
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 212.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $64 in charging
· 2 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
182.4
2
$63.84
$29.18
Efficient EV
152
1
$53.20
$24.32
EV Truck/SUV
243.2
3
$85.12
$38.91
Gas CO2
213 kg
EV CO2
71 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.
Forecast as of Jul 16, 2026
Origin
Missouri City, TX
Afternoon
in Missouri City on Sunday
Local time
2:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 10 mph19% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 3:47PM CDT until July 16 at 6:00PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 3:47PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Amarillo, TX
Afternoon
in Amarillo on Sunday
Local time
2:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
87°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 10 mph10% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 3:47PM CDT until July 16 at 6:00PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 3:47PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio 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
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 56m 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.
Waco Mammoth National Monument
National Monument
Standing as tall as 14 feet and weighing 20,000 pounds, Columbian mammoths roamed across what is present-day Texas thousands of years ago. Today, the fossil specimens represent the nation's first and...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 188.7
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 608
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 608
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
With 78% of this route on highways, you'll spend most of your time on major roads. The longest stretch without a significant break is 103.4 miles on US 81. Expect a transition from more developed areas to more rural cruising as you head north. The drive is predominantly flat, characteristic of the Great Plains.
78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
60 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 US Highway 287. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 19.5 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 32 significant decision points across 608 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 19.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 55.5 miles (TX 6): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 55.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
3,670 ft75 ft
Total Climb
3,656 ft
Total Descent
61 ft
Highest Point
3,670 ft
~608 mi in
Elevation Range
3,595 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Missouri City, TX and Amarillo, TX, road signs point toward College Station and Bryan.
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 304 miles on day one.
Expect about $1.21 in tolls one way, starting with Sam Houston Tollway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 46 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 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. There are 46 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 19.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 55.5 miles (TX 6): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 55.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument, 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 10.9 hours each way, a round trip means 21.9 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.
