Trip from Robinson, 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

7h 41m

Distance

431.3 mi

694 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$65

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 29 min

4 AM

7h 32m ★

6 AM

7h 41m

8 AM

8h 1m

10 AM

7h 48m

12 PM

7h 46m

3 PM

7h 49m

5 PM

8h 0m

8 PM

7h 36m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Robinson, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Amarillo, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Traveling from Robinson to Amarillo covers 432.3 miles of Texas terrain, typically requiring about 6 hours and 31 minutes of drive time. Because this journey stays entirely within the Great Plains region, you will experience consistent landscape characteristics throughout the trip. With a fuel budget of approximately $66, you can easily complete this trek in a single day, provided you manage your time effectively. The route relies on local navigation, utilizing The Circle, Circle Road, and South Jack Kultgen Expressway to get you moving. It is a straightforward trip for those comfortable with a full day of driving, though you should prepare for a steady pace across the heart of the state.

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

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

215.6 miles from Robinson, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 49m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
US 81	103.4 mi	1h 49m
US Highway 287	75.4 mi	1h 17m
I 35W	51.5 mi	54m
US Highway 287 East	40.5 mi	42m
Purple Heart Trail	33 mi	33m
East 11th Street	28.7 mi	32m
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 Robinson, TX and Amarillo, TX.

Start on US 77

4.0 mi · 4 min · South Robinson Drive

Use the right lane.

Enter roundabout onto Circle Road

215 ft · 11 sec · Circle Road

Continue on Circle Road

0.4 mi · 54 sec · Circle Road

Turn straight onto South Jack Kultgen Expressway

0.5 mi · 58 sec · South Jack Kultgen Expressway

Take the ramp

444 ft · 10 sec

Toward I 35 North, US 77 North

Continue on US 77

0.3 mi · 34 sec · US 77

Merge onto I 35; US 77

3.3 mi · 3 min · South Jack Kultgen Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 35; US 77

33 mi · 33 min · Purple Heart Trail

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W

52 mi · 54 min · I 35W

Toward I 35W: Fort Worth Use the slight left lane.

Take the exit onto I 35W TEXpress

8.9 mi · 8 min · I 35W TEXpress

Toward I 35W Express North: I 35W TEXpress North Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min

Toward US 81 North, US 287 North: Decatur Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto US 81; US 287

1.7 mi · 1 min · US 81; US 287

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 81; US 287

102 mi · 1 hr 47 min · US 81; US 287

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 281; US 287

0.8 mi · 58 sec · Lloyd Ruby Overpass

Continue on US 277; US 281; US 287

2.4 mi · 3 min · Central Freeway

Use the straight lane.

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.

Continue on US 287

40 mi · 42 min · US Highway 287 East

Use the straight / left / right lanes.

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.

Continue on US 287

26 mi · 26 min · US Highway 287 West

Use the straight lane.

Continue on US 287

29 mi · 32 min · East 11th Street

Continue on US 287

2.8 mi · 3 min · Avenue F Northeast

Continue on US 287

14 mi · 14 min · US Highway 287

Continue on US 287

0.7 mi · 1 min · Burnett Street

Continue on US 287

14 mi · 13 min · US Highway 287

Turn straight onto US 287

26 mi · 28 min · Boykin Drive

Continue on US 287

1.6 mi · 1 min · East 2nd Street

Continue on US 287

28 mi · 28 min · US Highway 287

Continue on US 287; FM 1151

1.1 mi · 2 min · East 1st Street

Continue on US 287

20 mi · 20 min · US Highway 287

Keep slight right at fork onto East Interstate Drive

329 ft · 8 sec · East Interstate Drive

Toward East 3rd Avenue

Keep slight right at fork onto Southeast 3rd Avenue

2.6 mi · 3 min · Southeast 3rd Avenue

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 26 sec

Merge onto Loop 335

1.3 mi · 1 min · North Lakeside Drive

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 46 sec

Toward US 60, I 40 Business: Amarillo Boulevard

Turn left onto I 40 Business; US Historic 66; US 60

4.4 mi · 5 min · East Amarillo Boulevard

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

Continue on I 40 Business

0.1 mi · 17 sec · East Amarillo Boulevard

Arrive at destination

I 40 Business; Original US Route 66; US 60

Trip Plan

To tackle this 432.3-mile drive, consider departing early in the morning to maximize your daylight hours. Since the trip includes one planned stop, use that time to stretch and refuel your vehicle, keeping your $66 budget in mind as you plan your stops. Given the turn-heavy nature of the roads, verify your navigation before leaving to ensure you are comfortable with the local road transitions. Flexibility is your best asset on this route, so build in a little extra time for traffic or unexpected delays along the local segments. Pay close attention to signage at the junctions of The Circle and South Jack Kultgen Expressway to stay on the correct path.

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 215.6 miles from Robinson, TX, or about 3h 49m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 103.4 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 95 miles or 1h 40m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 215.6 miles or 3h 49m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 6h 36m

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 Robinson, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Robinson, TX

This is one driving day of about 431.3 miles and 7h 41m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 95 miles from Robinson, TX.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

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

Meal stop

Wichita Falls, TX

216 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Fort Worth, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 95 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Wichita Falls, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 215.6 miles from Robinson, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

2.0 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 432.3

Amarillo, Texas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18663502738

Visit website

Universal EV Charging Station

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 432.3

Amarillo, Texas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18663502738

Visit website

Universal EV Charging Station

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 432.3

Amarillo, Texas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18663502738

Visit website

Universal EV Charging Station

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 432.3

Amarillo, Texas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18663502738

Visit website

Forest Park Miniature Railroad

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 92.6

Fort Worth, Texas

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+18179665509

Visit website

Fort Worth Herd

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 92.6

Fort Worth, Texas

Hours: 11:30 am–4 pm

+18173364373

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 13

5 decision points cluster between mile 5.3 and 209.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5.3 mi into trip | ~7m in | I 35; US 77 / South Jack Kultgen Expressway

Merge onto I 35; US 77 / South Jack Kultgen Expressway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

41.7 mi into trip | ~44m 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

93.2 mi into trip | ~1h 38m in | I 35W TEXpress

Take the exit onto I 35W TEXpress toward I 35W Express North: I 35W TEXpress North

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 35W Express North: I 35W TEXpress Nort...

102 mi into trip | ~1h 47m 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

209.4 mi into trip | ~3h 43m 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

$65.17 one way

$130.34 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 151 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.20	$71.33	$142.67
premium	$4.54	$77.01	$154.01
diesel	$5.61	$95.23	$190.45

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$65

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$90–$115

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 150.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $45 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	129.4	1	$45.29	$20.70
Efficient EV	107.8	1	$37.74	$17.25
EV Truck/SUV	172.5	2	$60.38	$27.60

Gas CO2

151 kg

EV CO2

50 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Robinson, TX

Late night in Robinson on Sunday

Local time

2:28 AM

CDT

Current temp

60°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Amarillo, TX

Late night in Amarillo on Sunday

Local time

2:28 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.

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

24 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

7h 41m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

This trip is defined as a turn-heavy local drive, favoring surface streets over long, monotonous interstate stretches. You will not be relying on high-speed highway travel, as the highway share for this route is 0%. Expect to navigate through local intersections and connectors rather than cruising on wide-open freeways. Because the route is technical and demands your full attention, it feels more like a dedicated series of local transitions than a simple highway sprint. Be prepared to stay engaged at the wheel as you maneuver through the specific turns required to link these two Texas hubs.

74% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

38 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?

9/10

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 5.3 miles in near I 35; US 77 / South Jack Kultgen Expressway.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 13 significant decision points across 431.3 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 5.3 miles (I 35; US 77 / South Jack Kultgen Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 41.7 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 93.2 miles (I 35W TEXpress): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

About the Cities

Starting in Robinson, TX

Full guide →

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).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 41m. Total distance: 431.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h 41m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

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.

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.

Not recommended in a single day. At 7.7 hours each way, a round trip means 15.4 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore more options from Robinson, TX or browse trips ending in Amarillo, TX.

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Trip from Robinson, TX to Amarillo, TX

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Tesla Supercharger

Chevrolet Charging Station

EVmatch Charging Station

EVmatch Charging Station

Universal EV Charging Station

Universal EV Charging Station

Universal EV Charging Station

Universal EV Charging Station

Forest Park Miniature Railroad

Fort Worth Herd

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Robinson, TX

Amarillo, TX

Same local time

24 degrees warmer at arrival

7h 41m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

About the Cities

Starting in Robinson, TX

Arriving in Amarillo, TX

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

Continue From Amarillo, TX

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