Origin
Amarillo, TX
Afternoon in Amarillo on Sunday
Local time
3:29 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Amarillo, TX to Fort Worth, TX
Drive Time
6h 6m
Distance
340.3 mi
548 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$52
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 54m
★
6 AM
6h 7m
8 AM
6h 32m
10 AM
6h 16m
12 PM
6h 13m
3 PM
6h 17m
5 PM
6h 31m
8 PM
5h 59m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Amarillo, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Fort Worth, TX
Talena Reese
Trip Overview
Spanning 341 miles across the Great Plains, your journey from Amarillo to Fort Worth typically takes about 5 hours and 6 minutes. This route is well-suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to traverse the Texas landscape efficiently without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via North Lakeside Drive, East Interstate Drive, and US 287 South to complete the transit. Budgeting approximately $51 for fuel is a smart way to prepare for the trip ahead. Since both cities are located within the same region, you can expect a consistent transition across the plains rather than a drastic geographic shift. Whether you are traveling for business or leisure, this drive offers a straightforward connection between two major Texas hubs.
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
170.2 miles from Amarillo, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 3m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise on this 341-mile trek. Because the route relies on local roads rather than high-speed highways, your hands will stay busy navigating the specific turns required to reach Fort Worth. You will transition through various local road segments, which demands more focus than a simple highway haul. The character of the road stays consistent throughout the duration, favoring local connectivity over long, uninterrupted stretches of pavement. Keep in mind that this path prioritizes local transitions, so you should prepare for a drive that feels more engaged and less like a standard high-speed commute.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 30 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 9.8 miles in near US 287.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 340.3 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 9.8 miles (US 287): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; 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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
9.8 mi into trip
|
~12m in
|
US 287
Take the exit onto US 287 toward US 287 South: Fort Worth
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 78
Toward US 287 South: Fort Worth
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.
6
333.8 mi into trip
|
~5h 59m in
Take the exit toward I 35W Express Toll South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 35W Express Toll South
8
339.4 mi into trip
|
~6h 4m in
|
US 287 Bus
Take the exit onto US 287 Bus toward US 287 Business: Rosedale Street, Allen Avenue
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 49B
Toward US 287 Business: Rosedale Street, Allen...
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 |
| Northwest Freeway | 5.2 mi | 5m |
| East Amarillo Boulevard | 5.1 mi | 6m |
| US 81 | 4.6 mi | 4m |
| North Freeway | 4.5 mi | 4m |
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 Fort Worth, 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
4.5 mi
·
4 min
·
North Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I 35W Express Toll South
Use the slight left lane.
26
Merge onto I 35W TEXpress
4.0 mi
·
3 min
·
I 35W TEXpress
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
27
Merge onto I 35W
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
North South Freeway
28
Take the exit onto US 287 Bus
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
US 287 Bus
Exit 49B
Toward US 287 Business: Rosedale Street, Allen Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
29
Continue on South Freeway
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
South Freeway
Use the left / straight lanes.
30
Arrive at destination
South Freeway
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 5-hour and 6-minute trip, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the drive and refuel. Since this route is a turn-heavy local drive, departing early in the morning helps you navigate the local segments with better visibility and less traffic. Keep your $51 fuel budget in mind when planning your stops, as local roads may offer different gas station accessibility than a major interstate. Because this is a manageable one-day journey, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace based on how you feel behind the wheel. A helpful tip for this specific route is to double-check your GPS navigation frequently, as the reliance on local roads like North Lakeside Drive and US 287 South can involve frequent turns that are easy to miss.
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 170.2 miles from Amarillo, TX, or about 3h 3m 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 170.2 miles or 3h 3m 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 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fort Worth, 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 340.3 miles and 6h 6m.
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 170.2 mi from Amarillo, TX · 3h 3m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
170 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 170.2 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 Fort Worth, TX
The final approach into Fort Worth, 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 Fort Worth, 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
$51.98 one way
$103.97 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
119 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $56.97 | $113.93 |
| premium | $4.59 | $61.51 | $123.02 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $75.60 | $151.21 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$52
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 119.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 102.1 | 1 | $35.73 | $16.33 |
| Efficient EV | 85.1 | 0 | $29.78 | $13.61 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 136.1 | 1 | $47.64 | $21.78 |
Gas CO2
119 kg
EV CO2
40 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
Fort Worth, TX
Afternoon in Fort Worth on Sunday
Local time
3:29 PM
CDT
Current temp
81°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
35 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 6m 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 Fort Worth, TX covers 340.3 miles and takes about 6h 6m 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 170.2 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 $51.98 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 16 significant decision points across 340.3 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 9.8 miles (US 287): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; 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.
The route from Amarillo, TX to Fort Worth, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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