Southlake, TX to Amarillo, TX is 337.4 miles and takes about 6h 7m via TX 114 and US Highway 287, with a fuel budget near $49 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region, traversing Texas from one side to the other. It's a straightforward, mostly highway drive, making it a good option if you're looking for a direct route with minimal fuss. Plan for a single day of travel, as the duration allows for a comfortable pace.
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
168.7 miles from Southlake, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 4m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
TX 114
105.7 mi
1h 55m
US Highway 287
75.4 mi
1h 17m
US Highway 287 East
40.5 mi
42m
East 11th Street
28.7 mi
32m
Boykin Drive
26.2 mi
28m
US Highway 287 West
25.7 mi
26m
Northwest Freeway
5.3 mi
5m
Northwest Parkway
4.9 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
TX 114
— 105.7 mi, about 1h 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Southlake, TX and Amarillo, TX.
1
Start on FM 1709
0.2 mi·23 sec·East Southlake Boulevard
2
Continue on FM 1709
0.2 mi·28 sec·East Southlake Boulevard
3
Turn left onto North Carroll Avenue
0.8 mi·2 min·North Carroll Avenue
4
Turn left onto East State Highway 114
0.2 mi·19 sec·East State Highway 114
Use the left lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward TX 114 West
6
Merge onto TX 114
4.9 mi·5 min·Northwest Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 114
16 mi·19 min·TX 114
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 114
90 mi·1 hr 35 min·TX 114
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on US 281; US 287
0.8 mi·58 sec·Lloyd Ruby Overpass
10
Continue on US 277; US 281; US 287
2.4 mi·3 min·Central Freeway
Use the straight lane.
11
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.
12
Continue on US 287
40 mi·42 min·US Highway 287 East
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
13
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.
14
Continue on US 287
26 mi·26 min·US Highway 287 West
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on US 287
29 mi·32 min·East 11th Street
16
Continue on US 287
2.8 mi·3 min·Avenue F Northeast
17
Continue on US 287
14 mi·14 min·US Highway 287
18
Continue on US 287
0.7 mi·1 min·Burnett Street
19
Continue on US 287
14 mi·13 min·US Highway 287
20
Turn straight onto US 287
26 mi·28 min·Boykin Drive
21
Continue on US 287
1.6 mi·1 min·East 2nd Street
22
Continue on US 287
28 mi·28 min·US Highway 287
23
Continue on US 287; FM 1151
1.1 mi·2 min·East 1st Street
24
Continue on US 287
20 mi·20 min·US Highway 287
25
Keep slight right at fork onto East Interstate Drive
329 ft·8 sec·East Interstate Drive
Toward East 3rd Avenue
26
Keep slight right at fork onto Southeast 3rd Avenue
2.6 mi·3 min·Southeast 3rd Avenue
27
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·26 sec
28
Merge onto Loop 335
1.3 mi·1 min·North Lakeside Drive
29
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Toward US 60, I 40 Business: Amarillo Boulevard
30
Turn left onto I 40 Business; US Historic 66; US 60
4.4 mi·5 min·East Amarillo Boulevard
31
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
32
Continue on I 40 Business
0.1 mi·17 sec·East Amarillo Boulevard
33
Arrive at destination
I 40 Business; Original US Route 66; US 60
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6-hour drive, consider leaving Southlake in the morning to arrive in Amarillo with ample time. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility, but aim to complete the longest stretch of 105.7 miles on TX 114 before needing a significant break. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longer highway segments, and budget around $49 for gas. There's one recommended stop, so plan it strategically for a meal or to stretch your legs.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 168.7 miles from Southlake, TX, or about 3h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 105.7 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 74 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 168.7 miles or 3h 4m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 1m
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 Southlake, 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 Southlake, TX
This is one driving day of about 337.4 miles and 6h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 74 miles from Southlake, 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 TX 114 for about 105.7 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.2 and 115.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.2 mi into trip|~3m in|East State Highway 114
Turn left onto East State Highway 114
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
1.7 mi into trip|~4m in|TX 114 / Northwest Parkway
Merge onto TX 114 / Northwest Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
6.6 mi into trip|~9m in|TX 114
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 114
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
22.7 mi into trip|~29m in|TX 114
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 114
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
115.5 mi into trip|~2h 8m 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
$46.21 one way
$92.43 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg118 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$51.62
$103.24
premium
$4.23
$56.12
$112.25
diesel
$4.80
$63.71
$127.41
Estimated Tolls: $0.59
Northwest Parkway
(4.9 mi)$0.59
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
$46
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 118.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
101.2
1
$35.43
$16.20
Efficient EV
84.4
0
$29.52
$13.50
EV Truck/SUV
135
1
$47.24
$21.59
Gas CO2
118 kg
EV CO2
39 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Southlake, TX
Late night
in Southlake on Monday
Local time
4:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Mostly Sunny
S 10 to 15 mph8% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 7:57AM CDT until July 19 at 3:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 7:57AM CDT until July 18 at 8:52PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Amarillo, TX
Late night
in Amarillo on Monday
Local time
4:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
89°F
Sunny
S 10 mph10% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 7:57AM CDT until July 19 at 3:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 7:57AM CDT until July 18 at 8:52PM 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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 7m 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.
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 337.4
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 337.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 77% of your time on highways. The longest continuous stretch without a major road change is 105.7 miles along TX 114. Expect primarily rural cruising with a few more developed areas as you approach your destination. The transition from highway to surface roads will be noticeable as you get closer to Amarillo.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 105.7 mi on TX 114.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on TX 114 and US Highway 287. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.2 miles in near East State Highway 114.
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 12 significant decision points across 337.4 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 1.2 miles (East State Highway 114): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.7 miles (TX 114 / Northwest Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.6 miles (TX 114): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Southlake is a city in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex region of Texas. It was once chosen as the best place to live within the Dallas/Fort Worth area.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 7m. Total distance: 337.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 7m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 105.7 miles on TX 114. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.59 in tolls one way, starting with Northwest Parkway. 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 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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 32 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.2 miles (East State Highway 114): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.7 miles (TX 114 / Northwest Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.6 miles (TX 114): 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 6.1 hours each way, a round trip means 12.2 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.
