Uvalde, TX to Amarillo, TX is 508.2 miles and takes about 9h 8m via Marshall Formby Memorial Highway and US Highway 87 North, with a fuel budget near $73 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This long-haul drive traverses the Great Plains region of Texas, offering a straightforward path through the state. With a recommended two days for the trip, you'll have ample time to break up the driving and arrive in Amarillo refreshed. It's a practical choice for covering a significant distance within Texas.
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
254.1 miles from Uvalde, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Marshall Formby Memorial Highway
111.1 mi
1h 52m
US 277
82.6 mi
1h 33m
US Highway 87 North
75.3 mi
1h 15m
North US Highway 87
66.4 mi
1h 6m
East Antonio Street
36.6 mi
41m
North Texas Highway 55
32.7 mi
37m
South Texas Highway 55
25.4 mi
28m
South US Highway 87
18.1 mi
18m
Longest stretch:
Marshall Formby Memorial Highway
— 111.1 mi, about 1h 52m
Traffic on I-27
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 36 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~611 veh/hr typical
· worst 764
Quietest
2 AM
~50 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 104 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 Uvalde, TX and Amarillo, TX.
1
Start on US 83
1.3 mi·1 min·North Getty Street
2
Continue on US 83
0.6 mi·48 sec·Milam Street
3
Turn left onto TX 55
37 mi·41 min·East Antonio Street
4
Continue on TX 55
1.0 mi·2 min·South Nueces Street
5
Continue on TX 55
3.6 mi·4 min·North State Highway 55
6
Continue on TX 55
25 mi·28 min·South Texas Highway 55
7
Turn left onto US 377; TX 55
0.5 mi·33 sec·East Main Street
8
Continue on TX 55
33 mi·37 min·North Texas Highway 55
9
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 55
0.1 mi·9 sec·TX 55
10
Merge onto US 277
22 mi·24 min·US 277
11
Turn left onto US 277; Loop 467
0.7 mi·1 min·South Crockett Avenue
12
Take the exit onto US 277
60 mi·1 hr 6 min·US 277
13
Take the exit onto US 277
0.1 mi·19 sec·US 277
14
Keep slight left at fork onto US 277
0.6 mi·1 min·US 277
15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 277
0.3 mi·39 sec·US 277
16
Merge onto US 87; US 277
2.8 mi·4 min·South Bryant Boulevard
17
Continue on US 87; US 277
1.4 mi·2 min·South Koenigheim Street
18
Continue on US 87; US 277; US 67 Bus
4.3 mi·6 min·North Bryant Boulevard
19
Continue on US 87
23 mi·23 min·US Highway 87 North
20
Continue on US 87
16 mi·16 min·US 87
21
Turn straight onto US 87; TX 158; TX 163
52 mi·52 min·US Highway 87 North
22
Continue on US 87
15 mi·15 min·North US Highway 87
23
Continue on US 87
4.3 mi·4 min·William Crooker Highway
24
Continue on US 87
18 mi·18 min·South US Highway 87
25
Continue on US 87; US 180
1.3 mi·1 min·South Dallas Avenue
26
Continue on US 87; US 180
1.7 mi·1 min·South Lynn Avenue
27
Continue on US 87
1.1 mi·1 min·Lubbock Highway
28
Continue on US 87
51 mi·51 min·North US Highway 87
29
Continue on I 27; US 87
4.4 mi·4 min·Tahoka Highway
30
Continue on I 27; US 87
111 mi·1 hr 52 min·Marshall Formby Memorial Highway
31
Continue on I 27; US 60; US 87
13 mi·15 min·Canyon Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
32
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.
33
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.
34
Turn right onto I 40 Business; Original US Route 66; US 60
105 ft·1 sec·East Amarillo Boulevard
35
Arrive at destination
I 40 Business; Original US Route 66; US 60
Trip Plan
Given the 9-hour estimated duration, splitting this drive over two days is highly recommended. Aim to leave early in the morning to maximize daylight, especially if you plan to drive straight through. With two recommended stops, plan for an overnight break around the halfway point to avoid fatigue. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, particularly during the 111.1-mile stretch on Marshall Formby Memorial Highway, as services might be less frequent. Budgeting around $73 for fuel is a good starting point for this 508.2-mile trip.
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 254.1 miles from Uvalde, TX, or about 4h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.1 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 112 miles or 2h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 254.1 miles or 4h 47m 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 254.1 miles or 4h 47m
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 8h 3m
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 Uvalde, 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 Uvalde, TX
Aim for roughly 254 miles and 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Amarillo, TX
Aim for roughly 254 miles and 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 112 miles from Uvalde, 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 111.1 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.9 and 507.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
1.9 mi into trip|~2m in|TX 55 / East Antonio Street
Turn left onto TX 55 / East Antonio Street
Navigation decision point
4
68.5 mi into trip|~1h 19m in|US 377; TX 55 / East Main Street
Turn left onto US 377; TX 55 / East Main Street
Navigation decision point
4
101.7 mi into trip|~1h 57m in|TX 55
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 55
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
7
506.5 mi into trip|~9h 4m 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
6
507.5 mi into trip|~9h 6m in|US 87; Original US Route 66 / South Fillmore Street
Keep slight right at fork onto US 87; Original US Route 66 / South Fillmore Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$76.29 one way
$152.58 round trip
$3.81/gal25.4 MPG avg178 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$84.41
$168.83
premium
$4.57
$91.34
$182.67
diesel
$6.28
$125.57
$251.14
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$76
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$206–$316
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 177.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $53 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
152.5
1
$53.36
$24.39
Efficient EV
127.1
1
$44.47
$20.33
EV Truck/SUV
203.3
2
$71.15
$32.52
Gas CO2
178 kg
EV CO2
59 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 Oct 22, 2026
Origin
Uvalde, TX
Evening
in Uvalde on Thursday
Local time
7:09 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Partly Cloudy
ENE 0 to 5 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Amarillo, TX
Evening
in Amarillo on Thursday
Local time
7:09 PM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Mostly Cloudy
SSE 5 to 10 mph1% chanceLive 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
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
9h 8m 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 497.5
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 497.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route has a 66% highway share, meaning you'll spend a good portion of the 508.2 miles on high-speed roads. The longest continuous stretch on Marshall Formby Memorial Highway is 111.1 miles, indicating extended periods of cruising. Beyond the highway segments, expect a shift to surface roads, which will naturally slow your pace. You’ll notice the transition from faster travel to more rural cruising as you navigate these sections.
66% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 111.1 mi on Marshall Formby Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
At 9h 8m, 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 1.9 miles in near TX 55 / East Antonio Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 508.2 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 1.9 miles (TX 55 / East Antonio Street): Navigation decision point; at 68.5 miles (US 377; TX 55 / East Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 101.7 miles (TX 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
The longest stretch is about 111.1 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 254 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 16 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 16 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.9 miles (TX 55 / East Antonio Street): Navigation decision point; at 68.5 miles (US 377; TX 55 / East Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 101.7 miles (TX 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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 9.1 hours each way, a round trip means 18.3 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.
