Trip from Amarillo, TX to Austin, TX

Drive Time

7h 37m

Distance

495.8 mi

Route Type

Turn-heavy local drive

Long day trip

Trip Overview

The drive from Amarillo, TX to Austin, TX covers 495.8 miles and takes about 7h 37m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on North Pierce Street, Canyon Expressway, Marshall Formby Memorial Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $73.76 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

247.9 miles from Amarillo, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day.

Drive Character

Expect a 7h 37m drive with frequent turns across 495.8 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 52 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

North Pierce Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
North Pierce Street	0 mi	0m
Canyon Expressway	0 mi	0m
Marshall Formby Memorial Highway	0 mi	0m
Loop 289	0 mi	0m
Interstate 27	0 mi	0m
North Loop 289	0 mi	0m
Spur 331	0 mi	0m
Southeast Loop 289	0 mi	0m

Longest stretch: North Pierce Street — 0 mi, about 0m

Step-by-Step Directions

1

Start on East Amarillo Boulevard

2

Turn right onto North Pierce Street

3

Continue on North Pierce Street

4

Continue on Canyon Expressway

5

Keep slight left to continue on Marshall Formby Memorial Highway

6

Take the exit slight right toward Loop 289

7

Turn straight onto North Interstate 27

8

Turn left onto North Loop 289

9

Take the ramp slight left

10

Merge slight left

11

Take the exit slight right toward Spur 331: Southeast Drive

12

Keep slight right to continue on Spur 331: Southeast Drive

13

Turn straight onto Southeast Loop 289

14

Turn right onto Southeast Drive

15

Merge slight right onto Slaton Road

16

Continue on East Highway 84

17

Continue on Trooper Jerry Don Davis Memorial Highway

18

Continue on East Highway 84

19

Continue on North US Highway 84

20

Turn left onto East 15th Street

21

Turn right onto Ralls Road

22

Turn straight onto North Avenue F

23

At the end of the road, turn left onto US Highway 84

24

Keep slight left to continue on I 20 East, US 84 East: Abilene

25

Take the exit slight right toward SH 70 South, SH 70 Business: Sweetwater, San Angelo

26

Turn slight left onto Southwest Georgia Avenue

27

Turn right onto Lamar Street

28

Continue on State Highway 70

29

Turn left onto State Highway 153

30

Continue on West Walnut Street

31

Continue on East Walnut Street

32

At the end of the road, turn left

33

Continue straight

34

Turn right onto Garmon Drive

35

Continue on US Highway 84 East

36

Turn right

37

Continue straight

38

Merge slight left onto North US Highway 281

39

Continue on North Key Avenue

40

Continue on South US Highway 183

41

Continue straight

42

Keep slight left to continue on 183A Toll Road

43

Continue straight

44

Take the exit slight right toward Loop 1: Mopac Boulevard

45

Keep slight right to continue on Loop 1 South: Mopac Boulevard South

46

Merge slight left onto North Mopac Expressway

47

Take the exit slight left toward Express 1 Toll

48

Merge slight left

49

Take the exit slight right

50

Keep slight left to continue on West 5th Street

51

Turn straight onto West 5th Street

52

Arrive at your destination

When to Leave

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 247.9 miles from Amarillo, TX.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Drive Plan

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 109 miles

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

Halfway reset

Around 247.9 miles

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

Final approach

Last hour of driving

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Austin, TX than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Amarillo, 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.

Trip Strategy

Day 1

Settle into the route from Amarillo, TX

This is one driving day of about 495.8 miles and 7h 37m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 109 miles from Amarillo, 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.

Best Stop Towns on This Route

These towns line up with the pace of this drive and give you clearer places to stop with a purpose.

Late stop town

Meal stop

Anson, TX

248 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.

Travel Advice

Arrival Notes

The final approach into Austin, TX usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Austin, 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.

Stops Along the Way

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 247.9 mi from Amarillo, TX

Lubbock, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 109 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Anson, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 247.9 miles from Amarillo, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions for the drive, so the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
regular	$3.78	$73.76	$147.53
midgrade	$4.25	$83.00	$166.00
premium	$4.59	$89.61	$179.23
diesel	$3.99	$77.94	$155.88

Based on 25.4 MPG average. Estimated CO2 emission: 173.5 kg one way.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Amarillo, TX to Austin, TX covers 495.8 miles and takes about 7h 37m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are North Pierce Street, Canyon Expressway, Marshall Formby Memorial Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 247.9 miles from Amarillo, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $73.76 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

Plan about 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.