Monahans to Amarillo is 296.8 miles and takes about 5h 10m via Marshall Formby Memorial Highway and North US Highway 87, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Great Plains region, offering a consistent, straightforward experience across Texas. You'll be on a mix of highway and surface roads, so expect varied driving conditions. Given its manageable duration, this route is ideal for a single-day trip without feeling rushed.
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
148.4 miles from Monahans, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 36m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Marshall Formby Memorial Highway
111.1 mi
1h 52m
North US Highway 87
51.2 mi
51m
State Highway 349
47 mi
47m
I 20
36.5 mi
36m
Canyon Expressway
13.5 mi
15m
Nadine and Tom Craddick Highway
12.5 mi
12m
Tahoka Highway
4.4 mi
4m
Sergeant Michael Naylor Memorial Highway
3.1 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Marshall Formby Memorial Highway
— 111.1 mi, about 1h 52m
Traffic on I-27
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 18 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~615 veh/hr typical
· worst 753
Quietest
2 AM
~47 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
13.1×
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 Monahans, TX and Amarillo, TX.
1
Start on this road
104 ft·9 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto TX 18
178 ft·6 sec·South Main Avenue
3
Turn right onto I 20 Bus
3.0 mi·5 min·East Sealy Avenue
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·52 sec
Toward I 20 East: Odessa
5
Merge onto I 20
37 mi·36 min·I 20
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 121Toward Loop 338
7
Turn straight onto East Interstate 20
0.2 mi·26 sec·East Interstate 20
8
Turn left onto Loop 338
0.8 mi·1 min·Southeast Loop 338
9
Continue on Loop 338
1.5 mi·2 min·Ray C. Stoker, Jr. Memorial Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Take the exit
279 ft·7 sec
Use the right lane.
11
Turn straight onto State Highway 191 East
0.2 mi·22 sec·State Highway 191 East
12
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·25 sec
13
Merge onto TX 191
2.4 mi·2 min·Chris Kyle Memorial Highway
14
Continue on TX 191
3.1 mi·3 min·Sergeant Michael Naylor Memorial Highway
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward TX 349, FM 1788: UT Permian Basin CEED, Midland International Airport
16
Turn straight onto State Highway 191
0.2 mi·30 sec·State Highway 191
17
Turn slight left onto TX 349; FM 1788
2.2 mi·3 min·North FM 1788
18
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 349
12 mi·12 min·Nadine and Tom Craddick Highway
19
At end of road, turn left onto TX 349
47 mi·47 min·State Highway 349
20
At end of road, turn left onto US 87; US 180
268 ft·3 sec·South US Highway 87
21
Continue on US 87; US 180
1.3 mi·1 min·South Dallas Avenue
22
Continue on US 87; US 180
1.7 mi·1 min·South Lynn Avenue
23
Continue on US 87
1.1 mi·1 min·Lubbock Highway
24
Continue on US 87
51 mi·51 min·North US Highway 87
25
Continue on I 27; US 87
4.4 mi·4 min·Tahoka Highway
26
Continue on I 27; US 87
111 mi·1 hr 52 min·Marshall Formby Memorial Highway
27
Continue on I 27; US 60; US 87
13 mi·15 min·Canyon Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
Keep slight left at fork onto US 87
0.9 mi·2 min·US 87
Toward US 87 NorthUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
29
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.
30
Turn right onto I 40 Business; Original US Route 66; US 60
105 ft·1 sec·East Amarillo Boulevard
31
Arrive at destination
I 40 Business; Original US Route 66; US 60
Trip Plan
For this approximately 5-hour drive, leaving in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and avoid any late-day fatigue. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $43, you can be quite flexible with your timing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longer stretches on Marshall Formby Memorial Highway, as services can be spaced out in this part of Texas. You can easily complete this trip in one day, but if you prefer a more relaxed pace, consider an overnight stop about halfway.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 148.4 miles from Monahans, TX, or about 2h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.1 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 65 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 148.4 miles or 2h 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 12m
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 Monahans, 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 Monahans, TX
This is one driving day of about 296.8 miles and 5h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 miles from Monahans, 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 Marshall Formby Memorial Highway for about 111.1 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 296.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|TX 18 / South Main Avenue
Turn right onto TX 18 / South Main Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
40 mi into trip|~42m in
Take the exit toward Loop 338
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 121
Toward Loop 338
5
42.7 mi into trip|~46m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
295.2 mi into trip|~5h 6m 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
6
296.1 mi into trip|~5h 8m in|US 87; Original US Route 66 / South Fillmore Street
Keep slight right at fork onto US 87; Original US Route 66 / South Fillmore Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.65 one way
$81.30 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg104 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$45.41
$90.82
premium
$4.23
$49.37
$98.74
diesel
$4.80
$56.04
$112.08
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 103.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
89
1
$31.16
$14.25
Efficient EV
74.2
0
$25.97
$11.87
EV Truck/SUV
118.7
1
$41.55
$19.00
Gas CO2
104 kg
EV CO2
35 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Monahans, TX
Late night
in Monahans on Sunday
Local time
1:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
87°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 10 mph42% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 4:16PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:38PM CDT until July 22 at 11:48AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Amarillo, TX
Late night
in Amarillo on Sunday
Local time
1:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
89°F
Mostly Sunny
SSE 10 mph11% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 4:16PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:38PM CDT until July 22 at 11:48AM 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.
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
2 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
5h 10m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 296.8
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 296.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive features 51% highway driving, with the longest continuous stretch covering 111.1 miles on Marshall Formby Memorial Highway. You'll experience a transition from highway cruising to surface roads, which typically means more frequent intersections and potentially slower speeds as you approach towns. Expect a predominantly rural feel for much of the trip.
51% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 111.1 mi on Marshall Formby Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near TX 18 / South Main Avenue.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 296.8 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: near the start (TX 18 / South Main Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 40 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 42.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
3,670 ft2,621 ft
Total Climb
1,168 ft
Total Descent
119 ft
Highest Point
3,670 ft
~296.8 mi in
Elevation Range
1,049 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Monahans, TX and Amarillo, TX, road signs point toward Loop 338, Fm 1788: Ut Permian Basin Ceed and Midland International Airport.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 10m. Total distance: 296.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 111.1 miles on Marshall Formby Memorial Highway. 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: near the start (TX 18 / South Main Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 40 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 42.7 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 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.3 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.
