Origin
Tomball, TX
Late night in Tomball on Tuesday
Local time
5:49 AM
CDT
Current temp
88°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Tomball, TX to Amarillo, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
10h 12m
Distance
570.5 mi
918 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$86
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
10h 3m
★
6 AM
10h 12m
8 AM
10h 31m
10 AM
10h 19m
12 PM
10h 17m
3 PM
10h 20m
5 PM
10h 30m
8 PM
10h 7m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tomball, TX
Danny Meneses
Amarillo, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 570.5-mile journey from Tomball, Texas, to Amarillo, Texas, is a substantial undertaking, requiring an estimated 10 hours and 12 minutes of driving time. Given its length and the Great Plains scenery, this trip is best split over two days. With a projected fuel cost of around $86, it's an accessible drive for many. The route primarily utilizes US 81 and US Highway 287, with a significant portion on I-35W, making it a mostly highway-focused experience. You'll find two recommended stops along the way to break up the drive. This is a long-distance trek across familiar Texas landscapes.
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
285.2 miles from Tomball, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 5h 6m 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 |
| TX 6 | 50 mi | 53m |
| North State Highway 6 | 43.3 mi | 43m |
| US Highway 287 East | 40.5 mi | 42m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 31.5 mi | 31m |
| East 11th Street | 28.7 mi | 32m |
Longest stretch:
US 81
— 103.4 mi, about 1h 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tomball, TX and Amarillo, TX.
1
Start on FM 2920
21 ft
·
5 sec
·
FM 2920
2
Turn left onto North Cherry Street
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
·
North Cherry Street
Use the left lane.
3
Turn left onto West Hufsmith Road
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
West Hufsmith Road
4
Continue on Brown-Hufsmith Road
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
·
Brown-Hufsmith Road
5
Continue on Brown Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Brown Road
6
Turn right onto TX 249
0.4 mi
·
34 sec
·
Tomball Parkway
Use the right lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward TBT Toll North
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
8
Merge onto TBT
0.5 mi
·
37 sec
·
Tomball Tollway
9
Continue on TX 249 Toll
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
MCTRA 249 Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on TX 249 Toll
25 mi
·
27 min
·
Aggie Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on TX 105
5.8 mi
·
6 min
·
State Highway 105
12
Turn right onto TX 105
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
State Highway 6
13
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
14
Merge onto TX 6
50 mi
·
53 min
·
TX 6
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 6
5.8 mi
·
5 min
·
North State Highway 6
16
Continue on TX 6
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
South Main Street
17
Continue on TX 6
37 mi
·
37 min
·
North State Highway 6
18
Continue on TX 6
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
South Memorial Street
19
Continue on TX 6
9.1 mi
·
9 min
·
East State Highway 6
20
Take the exit onto TX 6
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
TX 6
21
Turn right onto Loop 340
4.9 mi
·
6 min
·
East Loop 340
22
Take the exit
354 ft
·
10 sec
23
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
Toward I 35 North
24
Merge onto I 35; US 77
31 mi
·
31 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
52 mi
·
54 min
·
I 35W
Toward I 35W: Fort Worth
Use the slight left lane.
26
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.
27
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 81 North, US 287 North: Decatur
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Merge onto US 81; US 287
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
US 81; US 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Continue on US 81; US 287
102 mi
·
1 hr 47 min
·
US 81; US 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Continue on US 281; US 287
0.8 mi
·
58 sec
·
Lloyd Ruby Overpass
31
Continue on US 277; US 281; US 287
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Central Freeway
Use the straight lane.
32
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.
33
Continue on US 287
40 mi
·
42 min
·
US Highway 287 East
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
34
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.
35
Continue on US 287
26 mi
·
26 min
·
US Highway 287 West
Use the straight lane.
36
Continue on US 287
29 mi
·
32 min
·
East 11th Street
37
Continue on US 287
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Avenue F Northeast
38
Continue on US 287
14 mi
·
14 min
·
US Highway 287
39
Continue on US 287
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Burnett Street
40
Continue on US 287
14 mi
·
13 min
·
US Highway 287
41
Turn straight onto US 287
26 mi
·
28 min
·
Boykin Drive
42
Continue on US 287
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East 2nd Street
43
Continue on US 287
28 mi
·
28 min
·
US Highway 287
44
Continue on US 287; FM 1151
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
East 1st Street
45
Continue on US 287
20 mi
·
20 min
·
US Highway 287
46
Keep slight right at fork onto East Interstate Drive
329 ft
·
8 sec
·
East Interstate Drive
Toward East 3rd Avenue
47
Keep slight right at fork onto Southeast 3rd Avenue
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Southeast 3rd Avenue
48
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
49
Merge onto Loop 335
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
North Lakeside Drive
50
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
Toward US 60, I 40 Business: Amarillo Boulevard
51
Turn left onto I 40 Business; US Historic 66; US 60
4.4 mi
·
5 min
·
East Amarillo Boulevard
52
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
53
Continue on I 40 Business
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
East Amarillo Boulevard
54
Arrive at destination
I 40 Business; Original US Route 66; US 60
Trip Plan
For this 10-hour drive, starting early in the morning is highly recommended to maximize daylight and allow for comfortable pacing. Splitting this trip into two days is advisable, with a stop around the halfway point. Plan for your two recommended stops to include opportunities for refueling and rest, especially considering the 103.4-mile stretch on US 81. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as services can sometimes be spread out in the Great Plains region. A practical tip is to check the weather forecast before departing, as conditions in this part of Texas can change rapidly.
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 285.2 miles from Tomball, TX, or about 5h 6m 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 126 miles or 2h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 285.2 miles or 5h 6m 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 285.2 miles or 5h 6m
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 9h 6m
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 Tomball, 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 Tomball, TX
Aim for roughly 285 miles and 5.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Amarillo, TX
Aim for roughly 285 miles and 5.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 126 miles from Tomball, 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.
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
188 mi into the route
Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch
This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.
Second major stop
Overnight candidate
377 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 Wichita Falls, TXOvernight Options
Night 1
285 mi · about 5.1h in
A practical overnight split lands near Plainview, TX after about 285 miles or 5.1 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 126 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 285.2 miles from Tomball, 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 285 miles or 5.1 hours on the road.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 245 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 348.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
North Cherry Street
Turn left onto North Cherry Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
1.6 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
TX 249 / Tomball Parkway
Turn right onto TX 249 / Tomball Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
180.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 15m 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
7
241.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 18m 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
348.6 mi into trip
|
~6h 13m 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
$86.20 one way
$172.41 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
200 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $94.36 | $188.71 |
| premium | $4.54 | $101.86 | $203.72 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $125.96 | $251.92 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.29
MCTRA 249 Tollway
(3.6 mi)
$0.25
Tomball Tollway
(0.5 mi)
$0.04
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
$86
Tolls
$0
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$216–$326
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 199.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $60 in charging · 2 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 171.2 | 2 | $59.90 | $27.38 |
| Efficient EV | 142.6 | 1 | $49.92 | $22.82 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 228.2 | 2 | $79.87 | $36.51 |
Gas CO2
200 kg
EV CO2
67 kg (67% less)
Plan for 2 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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.
Destination
Amarillo, TX
Late night in Amarillo on Tuesday
Local time
5:49 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°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.
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
12 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
10h 12m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a considerable amount of time on major roadways, with 78% of this drive occurring on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 103.4 miles on US 81, offering a good opportunity to settle into a rhythm. While not entirely monotonous, the landscape is predominantly characteristic of the Great Plains. The route blends interstate driving with significant segments on US highways, providing a consistent pace for the majority of your travel. Prepare for a straightforward driving experience focused on covering distance efficiently.
78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
54 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 early in the drive near North Cherry Street.
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 24 significant decision points across 570.5 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 (North Cherry Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.6 miles (TX 249 / Tomball Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 180.9 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
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).
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 285 miles on day one.
Expect about $0.29 in tolls one way, starting with MCTRA 249 Tollway. 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.
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.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (North Cherry Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.6 miles (TX 249 / Tomball Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 180.9 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 10.2 hours each way, a round trip means 20.4 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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