This 475.8-mile drive from Amarillo, TX to Cedar Park, TX is a substantial undertaking, estimated to take around 8 hours and 31 minutes of pure driving time. Given the duration, it's best planned as a two-day trip, allowing for a comfortable overnight stop. The route primarily utilizes the Marshall Formby Memorial Highway and US Highway 84, with a significant portion on these main roads contributing to a 70% highway share. With an estimated fuel cost of $72, this highway-focused journey offers a practical way to travel between these two Texas locations. This trip traverses the Great Plains region throughout, offering a consistent landscape.
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
237.9 miles from Amarillo, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 7m into the drive
.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for most of this 475.8-mile journey. With 70% of the route on highways, you'll encounter good speeds for much of the trip. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll navigate is 103.7 miles on the Marshall Formby Memorial Highway, so be prepared for extended periods of driving without major town breaks. While primarily highway, the inclusion of State Highway 153 suggests some transition to potentially more local or two-lane sections as you approach your destination. This blend means you'll experience both efficient travel and a change of pace.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 47 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Marshall Formby Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 103.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Marshall Formby Memorial Highway and US Highway 84. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 127.8 miles in.
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 24 significant decision points across 475.8 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 127.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 238 miles (US 84): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 244.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 24 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
127.8 mi into trip|~2h 14m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Spur 331: Southeast Drive
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Spur 331: Southeast Drive
6
238 mi into trip|~4h 8m in|US 84
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84 toward I 20 East, US 84 East: Abilene
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 20 East, US 84 East: Abilene
6
244.5 mi into trip|~4h 14m in
Take the exit toward SH 70 South, SH 70 Business: Sweetwater, San Angelo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 244
Toward SH 70 South, SH 70 Business: Sweetwater,...
6
463.1 mi into trip|~8h 18m in|183A Toll / 183A Toll Road
Keep slight left at fork onto 183A Toll / 183A Toll Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
474.8 mi into trip|~8h 29m in
Take the exit toward Brushy Creek Road, Cypress Creek Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Brushy Creek Road, Cypress Creek Road
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Amarillo, TX and Cedar Park, TX, road signs point toward Loop 289, Sh 70 South, Sh 70 Business: Sweetwater and San Angelo.
Loop 289
119.1 mi in|~2h 3m
Sh 70 South
244.5 mi in|~4h 14m
Sh 70 Business: Sweetwater
244.5 mi in|~4h 14m
San Angelo
244.5 mi in|~4h 14m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Marshall Formby Memorial Highway
103.7 mi
1h 43m
US Highway 84
73.9 mi
1h 14m
State Highway 153
69 mi
1h 14m
US 183
37 mi
40m
South US Highway 183
35.3 mi
38m
US Highway 84 East
29.2 mi
33m
East Highway 84
26.9 mi
26m
US 67
21.5 mi
24m
Longest stretch:
Marshall Formby Memorial Highway
— 103.7 mi, about 1h 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Amarillo, TX and Cedar Park, TX.
1
Start on I 40 Business; Original US Route 66; US 60
286 ft·8 sec·East Amarillo Boulevard
2
Turn right onto US 60; US 87; US 66 Access
0.4 mi·57 sec·North Pierce Street
3
Continue on US 60; US 87; US 66 Access
1.0 mi·2 min·North Pierce Street
4
Continue on US 60; US 87
14 mi·16 min·Canyon Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 27
104 mi·1 hr 43 min·Marshall Formby Memorial Highway
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 536BToward Loop 289
7
Turn straight onto North Interstate 27
0.5 mi·1 min·North Interstate 27
8
Turn left onto North Loop 289
0.2 mi·24 sec·North Loop 289
9
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·21 sec
10
Merge onto Loop 289
7.5 mi·8 min·Loop 289
11
Take the exit
421 ft·10 sec
Toward Spur 331: Southeast Drive
12
Keep slight right at fork
233 ft·5 sec
Toward Spur 331: Southeast Drive
13
Turn straight onto Southeast Loop 289
0.1 mi·16 sec·Southeast Loop 289
14
Turn right onto Spur 331
1.9 mi·2 min·Southeast Drive
15
Merge onto US 84
0.2 mi·13 sec·Slaton Road
16
Continue on US 84
6.9 mi·6 min·East Highway 84
17
Continue on US 84
4.5 mi·4 min·Trooper Jerry Don Davis Memorial Highway
18
Continue on US 84
20 mi·20 min·East Highway 84
19
Continue on US 84
1.0 mi·1 min·North US Highway 84
20
Turn left onto Spur 575
0.1 mi·16 sec·East 15th Street
21
Turn right onto TX 207
0.4 mi·37 sec·Ralls Road
22
Turn straight onto TX 207
1.1 mi·2 min·North Avenue F
23
At end of road, turn left onto US 84
74 mi·1 hr 14 min·US Highway 84
24
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84
6.5 mi·6 min·US 84
Toward I 20 East, US 84 East: Abilene
25
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Exit 244Toward SH 70 South, SH 70 Business: Sweetwater, San Angelo
26
Turn slight left onto Southwest Georgia Avenue
0.1 mi·16 sec·Southwest Georgia Avenue
27
Turn right onto TX 70
0.7 mi·1 min·Lamar Street
28
Continue on TX 70
10 mi·10 min·State Highway 70
29
Turn left onto TX 153
69 mi·1 hr 14 min·State Highway 153
30
Continue on TX 153
1.0 mi·1 min·West Walnut Street
31
Continue on TX 153
0.9 mi·1 min·East Walnut Street
32
At end of road, turn left onto US 84; US 283
9.4 mi·10 min·US 84; US 283
33
Continue on US 67; US 84
21 mi·24 min·US 67; US 84
34
Turn right onto US 84; US 183
1.3 mi·1 min·Garmon Drive
35
Continue on US 84; US 183
29 mi·33 min·US Highway 84 East
36
Turn right onto US 183; TX 16
22 mi·25 min·US 183; TX 16
37
Continue on US 183; US 190
15 mi·15 min·US 183; US 190
38
Merge onto US 183; US 190; US 281
260 ft·4 sec·North US Highway 281
39
Continue on US 183; US 190; US 281
2.3 mi·4 min·North Key Avenue
40
Continue on US 183
35 mi·38 min·South US Highway 183
41
Continue on this road
0.4 mi·29 sec·this road
42
Keep slight left at fork onto 183A Toll
12 mi·11 min·183A Toll Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
43
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward Brushy Creek Road, Cypress Creek RoadUse the slight right lane.
44
Turn right onto Brushy Creek Road
0.1 mi·18 sec·Brushy Creek Road
45
Continue on East Cypress Creek Road
0.3 mi·36 sec·East Cypress Creek Road
46
Turn right onto US 183
0.4 mi·37 sec·South Bell Boulevard
Use the right lane.
47
Arrive at destination
US 183
Trip Plan
To make the most of this approximately 8.5-hour drive, consider splitting it over two days. This allows for a more relaxed pace and the chance to make your two recommended stops without feeling rushed. Aim to depart early in the morning to maximize daylight driving. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longest stretch of 103.7 miles on Marshall Formby Memorial Highway, as services might be more spread out. Planning your overnight stop roughly halfway will break up the drive nicely and help you arrive in Cedar Park refreshed.
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 237.9 miles from Amarillo, TX, or about 4h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 103.7 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 105 miles or 1h 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 237.9 miles or 4h 7m 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 237.9 miles or 4h 7m
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 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cedar Park, 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.
+
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 Amarillo, TX
Aim for roughly 238 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Cedar Park, TX
Aim for roughly 238 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 105 miles from Amarillo, 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 103.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 237.9 mi from Amarillo, TX
· 4h 7m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$71.89 one way
$143.79 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg167 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$78.69
$157.39
premium
$4.54
$84.95
$169.90
diesel
$5.61
$105.05
$210.10
Estimated Tolls: $0.82
183A Toll Road
(11.7 mi)$0.82
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
$72
Tolls
$1
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$203–$313
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 166.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $50 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
142.7
1
$49.96
$22.84
Efficient EV
119
1
$41.63
$19.03
EV Truck/SUV
190.3
2
$66.61
$30.45
Gas CO2
166 kg
EV CO2
56 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Amarillo, TX
Late night
in Amarillo on Friday
Local time
2:43 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cedar Park, TX
Late night
in Cedar Park on Friday
Local time
2:43 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
59°F
Roscoe, TX
238 mi in
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
8h 31m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Amarillo, TX to Cedar Park, TX covers 475.8 miles and takes about 8h 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Marshall Formby Memorial Highway, US Highway 84, State Highway 153. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 238 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 237.9 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 $71.89 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 475.8 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 127.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 238 miles (US 84): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 244.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Amarillo, TX and Cedar Park, TX, road signs point toward Loop 289, Sh 70 South, Sh 70 Business: Sweetwater and San Angelo.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument and Lake Meredith National Recreation Area.
Data sources
The figures on this page are computed from open government and mapping datasets, not crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Full methodology, refresh cadence, and limitations are documented on the
methodology page.
