Love's Travel Stop
0 mi from route
Trip from Palestine, TX to Amarillo, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
8h 44m
Distance
472 mi
760 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$65
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
8h 37m
★
6 AM
8h 45m
8 AM
9h 0m
10 AM
8h 50m
12 PM
8h 48m
3 PM
8h 51m
5 PM
8h 59m
8 PM
8h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Palestine, TX
Alfo Medeiros
Amarillo, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Palestine, TX to Amarillo, TX is 472 miles and takes about 8h 44m via US Highway 175 West and US Highway 287, with a fuel budget near $69 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive takes you across the heart of Texas, moving from the Great Plains region to another part of the Great Plains. While the majority of this trip is on highways, expect some stretches on more traditional roads as you begin. This route is a solid option if you need to cover a good chunk of Texas efficiently, offering a straightforward path between two points in the state. Consider this route for a direct transit rather than an overly scenic adventure.
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
236 miles from Palestine, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 30m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 81 | 103.4 mi | 1h 49m |
| US Highway 287 | 75.4 mi | 1h 17m |
| US Highway 175 West | 68.8 mi | 1h 14m |
| US Highway 287 East | 40.5 mi | 42m |
| East 11th Street | 28.7 mi | 32m |
| North State Highway 19 | 28.3 mi | 41m |
| Boykin Drive | 26.2 mi | 28m |
| US Highway 287 West | 25.7 mi | 26m |
Longest stretch:
US 81
— 103.4 mi, about 1h 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Palestine, TX and Amarillo, TX.
1
Start on Loop 127
267 ft
·
7 sec
·
Avenue A
2
Turn right onto US 84; US 287
3.6 mi
·
5 min
·
West Spring Street
3
Continue on TX 19
28 mi
·
41 min
·
North State Highway 19
4
Continue on TX 19 Bus
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
South Palestine Street
5
Turn left onto US 175 Bus
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East Corsicana Street
6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 175 Bus
69 mi
·
1 hr 14 min
·
US Highway 175 West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 45
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 286A
Toward Waco, Denton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on Spur 366
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Woodall Rodgers Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Toward I 35E North: Denton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 35E
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
North Stemmons Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 183
0.8 mi
·
48 sec
·
John W Carpenter Freeway
Exit 433A
Toward TX 183: Irving, DFW Airport
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 183 TEXpress
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
SH 183 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 183 TEXpress
15 mi
·
14 min
·
SH 183 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on TX 121 TEXpress; TX 183 TEXpress
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
SH 121/183 TEXpress
16
Continue on TX 183 TEXpress
0.1 mi
·
7 sec
·
SH 183 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on TX 121 TEXpress; TX 183 TEXpress
0.7 mi
·
42 sec
·
SH 121/183 TEXpress
18
Continue on I 820 TEXpress
6.2 mi
·
6 min
·
I 820 TEXpress
Toward I 820 Express West Toll
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward I 35W Express: Fort Worth, Denton
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.8 mi
·
50 sec
Toward I 35W Express North: Denton
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
21
Merge onto I 35W TEXpress
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
I 35W TEXpress
22
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 81 North, US 287 North: Decatur
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Merge onto US 81; US 287
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
US 81; US 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on US 81; US 287
102 mi
·
1 hr 47 min
·
US 81; US 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on US 281; US 287
0.8 mi
·
58 sec
·
Lloyd Ruby Overpass
26
Continue on US 277; US 281; US 287
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Central Freeway
Use the straight lane.
27
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.
28
Continue on US 287
40 mi
·
42 min
·
US Highway 287 East
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
29
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.
30
Continue on US 287
26 mi
·
26 min
·
US Highway 287 West
Use the straight lane.
31
Continue on US 287
29 mi
·
32 min
·
East 11th Street
32
Continue on US 287
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Avenue F Northeast
33
Continue on US 287
14 mi
·
14 min
·
US Highway 287
34
Continue on US 287
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Burnett Street
35
Continue on US 287
14 mi
·
13 min
·
US Highway 287
36
Turn straight onto US 287
26 mi
·
28 min
·
Boykin Drive
37
Continue on US 287
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East 2nd Street
38
Continue on US 287
28 mi
·
28 min
·
US Highway 287
39
Continue on US 287; FM 1151
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
East 1st Street
40
Continue on US 287
20 mi
·
20 min
·
US Highway 287
41
Keep slight right at fork onto East Interstate Drive
329 ft
·
8 sec
·
East Interstate Drive
Toward East 3rd Avenue
42
Keep slight right at fork onto Southeast 3rd Avenue
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Southeast 3rd Avenue
43
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
44
Merge onto Loop 335
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
North Lakeside Drive
45
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
Toward US 60, I 40 Business: Amarillo Boulevard
46
Turn left onto I 40 Business; US Historic 66; US 60
4.4 mi
·
5 min
·
East Amarillo Boulevard
47
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
48
Continue on I 40 Business
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
East Amarillo Boulevard
49
Arrive at destination
I 40 Business; Original US Route 66; US 60
Trip Plan
Given the 8h 44m estimated driving time, splitting this 472-mile trip over two days is a sensible approach to avoid fatigue. Aim to depart Palestine, TX early in the morning to maximize your daylight hours. The recommended two-day pace allows for roughly 236 miles and 4.5 hours of driving per day, which is manageable. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longer stretches, and plan your refueling stops accordingly, noting the estimated $69 fuel cost. You'll want to identify a mid-point town for your overnight stay before continuing on US Highway 287 towards Amarillo.
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 236 miles from Palestine, TX, or about 4h 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 104 miles or 2h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 236 miles or 4h 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 236 miles or 4h 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 7h 39m
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 Palestine, 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 Palestine, TX
Aim for roughly 236 miles and 4.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Amarillo, TX
Aim for roughly 236 miles and 4.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 104 miles from Palestine, 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.
Mid-route town
Overnight candidate
236 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 Plainview, TXOvernight Options
Night 1
236 mi · about 4.4h in
A practical overnight split lands near Plainview, TX after about 236 miles or 4.4 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 104 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 236 miles from Palestine, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 103.4 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 236 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.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Donley County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Texas Travel Information Center at Wichita Falls
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Donley County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Safety Rest Areas: Hardeman County Southbound
0.1 mi from route
Wise County Northbound
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Wichita County Northbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Wichita County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
National Truck Stop Amarillo
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Safety Rest Areas: Hardeman County Northbound
0.3 mi from route
Texas Travel Information Center at Amarillo and Safety Rest Area
0.5 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.5 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.6 mi from route
TA
1.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
1.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.3 mi from route
Mr. Fuel Travel Center
2.4 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 225 decision points cluster between mile 107.3 and 250.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
107.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 12m 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
113.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 20m 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
139.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 47m 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
142.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 50m 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
250.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 46m 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
$64.65 one way
$129.30 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
165 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $72.21 | $144.42 |
| premium | $4.23 | $78.51 | $157.02 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $89.12 | $178.25 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$65
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$195–$305
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 165.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $50 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 141.6 | 1 | $49.56 | $22.66 |
| Efficient EV | 118 | 1 | $41.30 | $18.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 188.8 | 2 | $66.08 | $30.21 |
Gas CO2
165 kg
EV CO2
55 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.
Origin
Palestine, TX
Late night in Palestine on Monday
Local time
3:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
SSE 0 to 5 mph
33% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 6:23PM CDT until July 16 at 8:15PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 6:21PM CDT until July 16 at 7:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Destination
Amarillo, TX
Late night in Amarillo on Monday
Local time
3:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
87°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 10 mph
10% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 6:23PM CDT until July 16 at 8:15PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 6:21PM CDT until July 16 at 7:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa 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
15 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 44m 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 472
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 472
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on highways for about 82% of this 472-mile trip. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 103.4 miles, primarily on US 81. Expect to transition from US Highway 175 West onto US Highway 287, which will be your main artery for much of the journey. The profile is mostly highway, meaning you'll experience consistent cruising speeds for extended periods, with fewer frequent exits compared to a fully urban or rural surface road experience.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
49 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 107.3 miles in.
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 22 significant decision points across 472 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 107.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 113.2 miles (TX 183 / John W Carpenter Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 139.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
3,670 ft
376 ft
Total Climb
3,373 ft
Total Descent
179 ft
Highest Point
3,670 ft
~472 mi in
Elevation Range
3,294 ft
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.
Between Palestine, TX and Amarillo, TX, road signs point toward Waco, Denton and Dfw Airport.
Waco
107.3 mi in
|
~2h 12m
Denton
107.3 mi in
|
~2h 12m
Dfw Airport
113.2 mi in
|
~2h 20m
|
via TX 183
About the Cities
Starting in Palestine, TX
Full guide →Founded 1846
Palestine is a city in the Blackland Prairie region of Texas. It dates way back to the origins of the Texas Republic practically, when Anderson County was carved out and needed a county seat. Then it was a stage stop on the route between Texarkana and Austin and later a stop for the railroad, from which it derives a lot of its fame today, because of a popular restored line between here and Rusk that offers a sense of train travel of yesteryear through the Piney Woods. The town itself looks a little stuck in the past, and can be worth a gander.
Top landmarks
- • Sacred Heart Catholic Church and School — building in Palestine, Anderson County, Texas
- • Texas State Railroad — Heritage railroad in east-central Texas
- • Anderson County Courthouse — historic place in Palestine, Anderson County, Texas
Arriving in Amarillo, TX
Full guide →Founded 1887
Amarillo, which means "yellow" in Spanish, is the center of the Texas Panhandle at the edge of the Great Plains.
Top landmarks
- • Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway 5000 — class of 1 American 2-10-4 locomotive (preserved)
- • Santa Fe Building — historic place in Amarillo, Potter County, Texas
- • Courtyard by Marriott, Downtown Amarillo — Historic building and Hotel in Amarillo, Texas
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Frequently Asked Questions
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 236 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 32 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 32 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 107.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 113.2 miles (TX 183 / John W Carpenter Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 139.6 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 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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