Selma, TX to Amarillo, TX is 511.7 miles and takes about 8h 56m via Marshall Formby Memorial Highway and I 10, with a fuel budget near $74 and a recommendation for an overnight stay. This long-haul drive traverses the Great Plains region of Texas, offering a straightforward path between two points. Given the 8h 56m estimated duration and 511.7 miles, planning for two days is sensible to avoid excessive driving in one go. It's a practical route for those needing to cover significant ground within the state.
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
255.9 miles from Selma, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 30m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Marshall Formby Memorial Highway
109.9 mi
1h 51m
I 10
99.8 mi
1h 38m
US 84
74.5 mi
1h 14m
Frisco Avenue
41.9 mi
44m
State Highway 153
29.5 mi
33m
North Main Street
29.3 mi
30m
Highway 84
20 mi
19m
Anderson Loop
16.7 mi
18m
Longest stretch:
Marshall Formby Memorial Highway
— 109.9 mi, about 1h 51m
Traffic on I-27
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 36 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 Selma, TX and Amarillo, TX.
1
Start on North Evans Road
29 ft·7 sec·North Evans Road
2
Turn left onto Interstate 35 North
0.9 mi·1 min·Interstate 35 North
3
Take the ramp
504 ft·12 sec
4
Merge onto I 35
0.7 mi·49 sec·North Pan Am Expressway
5
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Exit 172Toward Loop 1604: Anderson LoopUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward Loop 1604 West: Anderson LoopUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·13 sec
Toward Loop 1604 West
8
Merge onto Loop 1604
17 mi·18 min·Anderson Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Toward Frontage RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Turn straight onto North Loop 1604 West
0.2 mi·25 sec·North Loop 1604 West
11
Turn right onto Interstate 10 West
0.3 mi·24 sec·Interstate 10 West
12
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·19 sec
Toward I 10 West, US 87 North
13
Merge onto I 10; US 87
1.1 mi·1 min·I 10; US 87
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
99 mi·1 hr 37 min·I 10; US 87
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
15
Take the exit onto US 83
0.3 mi·44 sec·US 83
Exit 456Toward US 83 North, US 377: Junction, Menard
16
Turn right onto US 83; US 377
29 mi·30 min·North Main Street
Use the right lane.
17
Continue on US 83
42 mi·44 min·Frisco Avenue
18
Continue on US 83
17 mi·18 min·Roberts Avenue
19
Turn right onto US 67; US 83
387 ft·18 sec·Hutchings Avenue
Use the right lane.
20
Turn left onto TX 158
6.3 mi·7 min·North Broadway Street
Use the left lane.
21
Turn right onto FM 2111
12 mi·13 min·FM 2111
22
Turn left onto TX 153
29 mi·33 min·State Highway 153
23
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 153
19 ft·0 sec·State Highway 153
24
Turn right onto TX 70
10 mi·10 min·State Highway 70
25
Continue on TX 70
0.8 mi·1 min·Lamar Street
26
Turn left onto Northwest Georgia Avenue
0.1 mi·16 sec·Northwest Georgia Avenue
27
Take the ramp
340 ft·8 sec
Toward I 20 West: Midland
28
Merge onto I 20; US 84
6.0 mi·5 min·I 20; US 84
29
Take the exit onto US 84
0.3 mi·19 sec·US 84
Exit 238AToward US 84 West: Snyder, Lubbock
30
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84
74 mi·1 hr 14 min·US 84
31
Turn right onto Loop 46
1.0 mi·1 min·South Avenue F
32
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 207
0.1 mi·10 sec·North Avenue F
33
Turn straight onto TX 207
0.4 mi·38 sec·Ralls Road
34
Turn left onto Spur 575
0.1 mi·17 sec·East 15th Street
35
Turn right onto US 84
1.0 mi·1 min·North US Highway 84
36
Continue on US 84
20 mi·19 min·Highway 84
37
Continue on US 84
4.6 mi·4 min·Trooper Jerry Don Davis Memorial Highway
38
Continue on US 84
6.8 mi·6 min·East Highway 84
39
Continue on US 84
4.5 mi·5 min·Slaton Road
40
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
41
Turn slight right onto Interstate 27
321 ft·6 sec·Interstate 27
42
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
43
Merge onto I 27; US 87
110 mi·1 hr 51 min·Marshall Formby Memorial Highway
44
Continue on I 27; US 60; US 87
13 mi·15 min·Canyon Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
45
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.
46
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.
47
Turn right onto I 40 Business; Original US Route 66; US 60
105 ft·1 sec·East Amarillo Boulevard
48
Arrive at destination
I 40 Business; Original US Route 66; US 60
Trip Plan
For this 511.7-mile drive, splitting it over two days is highly recommended to make the 8h 56m of driving more manageable. Aim to depart early on your first day to cover a significant portion, perhaps around 250-300 miles. This allows for comfortable stops and a relaxed arrival at your overnight accommodation. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 109.9-mile stretch on Marshall Formby Memorial Highway, as services might be less frequent. Your estimated fuel cost is $74, so budget accordingly and fill up when you see a good opportunity.
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 255.9 miles from Selma, TX, or about 4h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 109.9 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 113 miles or 1h 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 255.9 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 255.9 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 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 Selma, 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 Selma, TX
Aim for roughly 256 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Amarillo, TX
Aim for roughly 256 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 113 miles from Selma, 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 Marshall Formby Memorial Highway for about 109.9 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 35
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.7 and 510.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
1.7 mi into trip|~2m in
Take the exit toward Loop 1604: Anderson Loop
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 172
Toward Loop 1604: Anderson Loop
7
1.8 mi into trip|~2m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Loop 1604 West: Anderson Loop
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Loop 1604 West: Anderson Loop
6
19 mi into trip|~21m in
Take the exit toward Frontage Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Frontage Road
6
21 mi into trip|~24m in|I 10; US 87
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
510.1 mi into trip|~8h 52m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$70.09 one way
$140.17 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg179 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$78.29
$156.57
premium
$4.23
$85.12
$170.23
diesel
$4.80
$96.62
$193.24
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$70
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$200–$310
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 179 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $54 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
153.5
1
$53.73
$24.56
Efficient EV
127.9
1
$44.77
$20.47
EV Truck/SUV
204.7
2
$71.64
$32.75
Gas CO2
179 kg
EV CO2
60 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 19, 2026
Origin
Selma, TX
Night
in Selma on Monday
Local time
9:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Cloudy
SSE 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 10:11PM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 8:53PM CDT until July 20 at 6:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Amarillo, TX
Night
in Amarillo on Monday
Local time
9:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Mostly Clear
SSW 5 to 10 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 10:11PM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 8:53PM CDT until July 20 at 6:00AM 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
9 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
8h 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.
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Welcome to San Antonio Missions, a National Park Service site and the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas. Each mission in the park is a center of community and has been since the early 1700s. Th...
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 511.7
Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park tells the story of our 36th president beginning with his ancestors until his final resting place on his beloved LBJ Ranch. This entire "circle of life" gives...
26 mi from route
~65 min detour
Free
near mile 52.9
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 511.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is heavily influenced by highways, with 54% of the drive on these faster roads. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 109.9 miles on Marshall Formby Memorial Highway, indicating substantial periods of uninterrupted driving. The transition from highway to surface roads will be noticeable as you navigate the different segments. Expect a mix of cruising and potentially more frequent exits as you move between the major roadways.
54% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
48 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 109.9 mi on Marshall Formby Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
At 8h 56m, this is a long-haul route where pacing matters more than any single turn. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.7 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 35 significant decision points across 511.7 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 1.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 1.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 19 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
3,670 ft755 ft
Total Climb
3,517 ft
Total Descent
602 ft
Highest Point
3,670 ft
~511.7 mi in
Elevation Range
2,915 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Selma, TX and Amarillo, TX, road signs point toward Menard and Lubbock.
Long-haul drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 109.9 miles on Marshall Formby Memorial Highway. 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 256 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 37 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 37 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 1.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 19 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument and Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.9 hours each way, a round trip means 17.9 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.
