Origin
Amarillo, TX
Afternoon in Amarillo on Sunday
Local time
3:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Amarillo, TX to Dallas, TX
Drive Time
6h 31m
Distance
363.7 mi
585 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$56
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 19m
★
6 AM
6h 31m
8 AM
6h 56m
10 AM
6h 40m
12 PM
6h 37m
3 PM
6h 41m
5 PM
6h 55m
8 PM
6h 24m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Amarillo, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Dallas, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Spanning 361.4 miles from the Texas Panhandle to North Texas, this journey takes approximately 5 hours and 31 minutes to complete. You will primarily navigate via North Lakeside Drive, East Interstate Drive, and US 287 South to connect these two Great Plains hubs. Because the total drive time is manageable, it works perfectly as a single-day trip, though you should budget roughly $54 for fuel before heading out. Since the origin and destination both sit within the Great Plains, you can expect a consistent, familiar landscape throughout the transit. This route is straightforward for those comfortable with turn-heavy local driving, making it a functional choice for travelers looking to move efficiently between Amarillo and Dallas.
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
181.8 miles from Amarillo, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 16m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a drive that feels more like a turn-heavy local experience than a monotonous interstate cruise. While you will utilize US 287 South as a primary artery, the route transitions through various local roads, requiring your full attention behind the wheel. The path is characterized by its technical nature rather than high-speed highway stretches, so prepare for frequent adjustments as you navigate the transition from the Panhandle toward Dallas. Because the highway share is 0 percent, you won't be relying on the typical repetitive interstate flow. Instead, the road demands a more engaged driving style as you traverse the 361.4-mile distance.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 39 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Central East Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 99.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Central East Freeway and US Highway 287. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 221.5 miles in near US 287 / Northwest Freeway.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 363.7 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 221.5 miles (US 287 / Northwest Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 228.1 miles (US 82; US 287 / Central East Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 331.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 23 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
221.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 57m in
|
US 287 / Northwest Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 287 / Northwest Freeway toward I 44 West, US 277 South, US 281 South, US 287 South: Wichita Falls
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 44 West, US 277 South, US 281 South, U...
6
228.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 5m in
|
US 82; US 287 / Central East Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 82; US 287 / Central East Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
331.5 mi into trip
|
~5h 56m in
Take the exit toward I 820
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 57
Toward I 820
7
332 mi into trip
|
~5h 56m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 820 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 820 East
8
363 mi into trip
|
~6h 29m in
Take the exit toward Continental Avenue, Commerce Street West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 429B
Toward Continental Avenue, Commerce Street West
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Central East Freeway | 99.2 mi | 1h 46m |
| US Highway 287 | 81.8 mi | 1h 27m |
| US 287 | 77.2 mi | 1h 21m |
| US Highway 287 East | 40.5 mi | 42m |
| SH 183 TEXpress | 15 mi | 14m |
| I 820 TEXpress | 5.5 mi | 5m |
| Northwest Freeway | 5.2 mi | 5m |
| East Amarillo Boulevard | 5.1 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
Central East Freeway
— 99.2 mi, about 1h 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Amarillo, TX and Dallas, TX.
1
Start on I 40 Business; Original US Route 66; US 60
5.1 mi
·
6 min
·
East Amarillo Boulevard
2
Turn right
194 ft
·
5 sec
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
4
Merge onto Loop 335
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
North Lakeside Drive
5
Turn left onto East Interstate Drive
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
East Interstate Drive
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
7
Merge onto I 40; US 287
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
I 40; US 287
8
Take the exit onto US 287
77 mi
·
1 hr 21 min
·
US 287
Exit 78
Toward US 287 South: Fort Worth
9
Turn slight right onto US 287
14 mi
·
13 min
·
US Highway 287
10
Continue on US 287
0.7 mi
·
58 sec
·
Burnett Street
11
Continue on US 287
14 mi
·
14 min
·
US Highway 287
12
Continue on US 287
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Avenue F Northwest
13
Continue on US 287
54 mi
·
58 min
·
US Highway 287
14
Continue on US 287
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on US 70; US 183; US 287
41 mi
·
42 min
·
US Highway 287 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on US 287
4.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Northwest Freeway
17
Keep slight right at fork onto US 287
0.6 mi
·
42 sec
·
Northwest Freeway
Toward I 44 West, US 277 South, US 281 South, US 287 South: Wichita Falls
18
Merge onto I 44; US 277; US 281; US 287
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Central Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on US 277; US 281; US 287
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Lloyd Ruby Overpass
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on US 281; US 287
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Central East Freeway
21
Keep slight right at fork onto US 82; US 287
1.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Central East Freeway
22
Keep slight right at fork onto US 82; US 287
97 mi
·
1 hr 43 min
·
Central East Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on US 81; US 287
4.6 mi
·
4 min
·
US 81; US 287
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
24
Merge onto I 35W; US 287
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
North Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
24 sec
Exit 57
Toward I 820
Use the slight right lane.
26
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 820 East
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
27
Merge onto I 820
0.4 mi
·
24 sec
·
Northeast Loop
28
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
7 sec
Toward I 820 Express East Toll
29
Merge onto I 820 TEXpress
5.5 mi
·
5 min
·
I 820 TEXpress
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
30
Continue on TX 121 TEXpress; TX 183 TEXpress
4.4 mi
·
4 min
·
SH 121/183 TEXpress
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
31
Continue on TX 183 TEXpress
12 mi
·
11 min
·
SH 183 TEXpress
Toward TX 183 Express East
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
32
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 183 TEXpress
3.3 mi
·
3 min
·
SH 183 TEXpress
Use the none lane.
33
Merge onto TX 183
0.8 mi
·
50 sec
·
John W Carpenter Freeway
34
Merge onto I 35E
3.9 mi
·
4 min
·
North Stemmons Freeway
Use the none lane.
35
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
Exit 429B
Toward Continental Avenue, Commerce Street West
Use the slight right lane.
36
Turn straight onto North Stemmons Freeway
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
North Stemmons Freeway
37
Turn left onto Continental Avenue
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
·
Continental Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
38
Turn slight right onto North Lamar Street
433 ft
·
10 sec
·
North Lamar Street
39
Arrive at destination
North Lamar Street
Trip Plan
Plan to depart early in the morning to handle the 5-hour and 31-minute travel time before traffic builds up in the Dallas area. Since the route is categorized as a turn-heavy local drive, stay alert at intersections and follow your navigation closely rather than relying on cruise control. With only one recommended stop, you have plenty of flexibility to stretch your legs whenever you need a break from the wheel. Keep your $54 fuel budget in mind when planning your refueling stops, as local road driving can sometimes be less predictable for gas mileage than steady highway speeds. Prioritize keeping your tank topped off before leaving Amarillo to ensure a smooth, stress-free transit across the state.
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 181.8 miles from Amarillo, TX, or about 3h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.2 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 80 miles or 1h 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 181.8 miles or 3h 16m 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dallas, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Amarillo, TX
This is one driving day of about 363.7 miles and 6h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Amarillo, 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 Central East Freeway for about 99.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 181.8 mi from Amarillo, TX · 3h 16m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
182 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 181.8 miles from Amarillo, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Central East Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 99.2 miles.
Arriving in Dallas, TX
The final approach into Dallas, 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 Dallas, TX.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$55.56 one way
$111.11 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
127 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $60.88 | $121.77 |
| premium | $4.59 | $65.74 | $131.48 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $80.80 | $161.60 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$56
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$81–$106
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 127.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 109.1 | 1 | $38.19 | $17.46 |
| Efficient EV | 90.9 | 1 | $31.82 | $14.55 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 145.5 | 1 | $50.92 | $23.28 |
Gas CO2
127 kg
EV CO2
43 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.
Destination
Dallas, TX
Afternoon in Dallas on Sunday
Local time
3:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°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.
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
15 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 31m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Amarillo, TX to Dallas, TX covers 363.7 miles and takes about 6h 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Central East Freeway, US Highway 287, US 287. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 181.8 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 $55.56 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 1 meaningful break 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 23 significant decision points across 363.7 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 221.5 miles (US 287 / Northwest Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 228.1 miles (US 82; US 287 / Central East Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 331.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Amarillo, TX to Dallas, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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