Trip from Amarillo, TX to Mercedes, TX

Drive Time

13h 24m

Distance

758.8 mi

1,221 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$116

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min

4 AM

13h 12m ★

6 AM

13h 24m

8 AM

13h 48m

10 AM

13h 33m

12 PM

13h 30m

3 PM

13h 34m

5 PM

13h 47m

8 PM

13h 17m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Amarillo, TX

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Mercedes, TX

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Trip Overview

The drive from Amarillo, TX to Mercedes, TX covers 758.8 miles and takes about 13h 24m behind the wheel. It usually feels better as a 2-day road trip than as one long push.

The route leans on Marshall Formby Memorial Highway, US Highway 84, I 10 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is long-distance drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 103.7 miles on Marshall Formby Memorial Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $115.91 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Best split across 2 days

Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.

Break Rhythm

3 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

379.4 miles from Amarillo, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 6h 41m into the drive .

Drive Character

At 758.8 miles and 13h 24m of driving, this is a route where fuel stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single turn. The main roads are Marshall Formby Memorial Highway and US Highway 84.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 60 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?

At 13h 24m, 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 127.8 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 38 significant decision points across 758.8 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 391.8 miles (US 83): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 38 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

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

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

391.8 mi into trip | ~6h 54m in | US 83

Take the exit onto US 83 toward I 10 East: San Antonio

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward I 10 East: San Antonio

505.1 mi into trip | ~8h 49m in

Take the exit toward Santa Rosa Street, Downtown

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 569C Toward Santa Rosa Street, Downtown

757.8 mi into trip | ~13h 22m in

Take the exit toward FM 491: Texas Avenue

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 163B Toward FM 491: Texas Avenue

Towns Along This Route

Between Amarillo, TX and Mercedes, TX, road signs point toward Loop 289, Sh 70 South, Sh 70 Business: Sweetwater, San Angelo and Downtown.

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

Downtown

505.1 mi in | ~8h 49m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Marshall Formby Memorial Highway	103.7 mi	1h 43m
US Highway 84	73.9 mi	1h 14m
I 10	71.7 mi	1h 14m
Lucian Adams Freeway	66.8 mi	1h 8m
South Nueces Street	66.2 mi	1h 10m
Falfurrias Expressway	55.8 mi	58m
Grassmeyer Street	41.9 mi	44m
US 83	40 mi	38m

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 Mercedes, TX.

Start on I 40 Business; Original US Route 66; US 60

286 ft · 8 sec · East Amarillo Boulevard

Turn right onto US 60; US 87; US 66 Access

0.4 mi · 57 sec · North Pierce Street

Continue on US 60; US 87; US 66 Access

1.0 mi · 2 min · North Pierce Street

Continue on US 60; US 87

14 mi · 16 min · Canyon Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 27

104 mi · 1 hr 43 min · Marshall Formby Memorial Highway

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 24 sec

Exit 536B Toward Loop 289

Turn straight onto North Interstate 27

0.5 mi · 1 min · North Interstate 27

Turn left onto North Loop 289

0.2 mi · 24 sec · North Loop 289

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 21 sec

Merge onto Loop 289

7.5 mi · 8 min · Loop 289

Take the exit

421 ft · 10 sec

Toward Spur 331: Southeast Drive

Keep slight right at fork

233 ft · 5 sec

Toward Spur 331: Southeast Drive

Turn straight onto Southeast Loop 289

0.1 mi · 16 sec · Southeast Loop 289

Turn right onto Spur 331

1.9 mi · 2 min · Southeast Drive

Merge onto US 84

0.2 mi · 13 sec · Slaton Road

Continue on US 84

6.9 mi · 6 min · East Highway 84

Continue on US 84

4.5 mi · 4 min · Trooper Jerry Don Davis Memorial Highway

Continue on US 84

20 mi · 20 min · East Highway 84

Continue on US 84

1.0 mi · 1 min · North US Highway 84

Turn left onto Spur 575

0.1 mi · 16 sec · East 15th Street

Turn right onto TX 207

0.4 mi · 37 sec · Ralls Road

Turn straight onto TX 207

1.1 mi · 2 min · North Avenue F

At end of road, turn left onto US 84

74 mi · 1 hr 14 min · US Highway 84

Keep slight left at fork onto US 84

6.5 mi · 6 min · US 84

Toward I 20 East, US 84 East: Abilene

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 18 sec

Exit 244 Toward SH 70 South, SH 70 Business: Sweetwater, San Angelo

Turn slight left onto Southwest Georgia Avenue

0.1 mi · 16 sec · Southwest Georgia Avenue

Turn right onto TX 70

0.7 mi · 1 min · Lamar Street

Continue on TX 70

10 mi · 10 min · State Highway 70

Turn left onto TX 153

29 mi · 33 min · State Highway 153

Turn right onto FM 2111

12 mi · 13 min · FM 2111

Turn left onto TX 158

6.3 mi · 7 min · TX 158

At end of road, turn right onto US 67; US 83

387 ft · 18 sec · Hutchings Avenue

Turn left onto US 83

17 mi · 18 min · South 7th Street

Use the left lane.

Continue on US 83

42 mi · 44 min · Grassmeyer Street

Continue on US 83

29 mi · 31 min · Ellis Street

Take the exit onto US 83

40 mi · 38 min · US 83

Toward I 10 East: San Antonio Use the left lane.

Continue on I 10

54 mi · 54 min · I 10

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87

17 mi · 19 min · I 10; US 87

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87

1.7 mi · 2 min · McDermott Freeway

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Exit 569C Toward Santa Rosa Street, Downtown Use the slight right lane.

Turn straight onto North Pecos-La Trinidad

0.2 mi · 16 sec · North Pecos-La Trinidad

Keep slight right at fork onto North Pecos-La Trinidad

0.6 mi · 1 min · North Pecos-La Trinidad

Use the straight lane.

Turn left onto Dolorosa Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · Dolorosa Street

Use the straight / left lanes.

Continue on West Market Street

0.4 mi · 42 sec · West Market Street

Continue on East Market Street

0.4 mi · 40 sec · East Market Street

Turn right onto Tower of the Americas Way

0.2 mi · 21 sec · Tower of the Americas Way

Use the right lane.

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 33 sec

Toward I 37 South, US 281 South

Merge onto I 37; US 281

1.4 mi · 1 min · William J Bordelon Freeway

Continue on I 37; US 281

67 mi · 1 hr 8 min · Lucian Adams Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit onto US 281 South

15 mi · 19 min · US 281 South

Toward US 281 South Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto US 281

66 mi · 1 hr 10 min · South Nueces Street

Keep slight left at fork onto I 69C; US 281

9.5 mi · 10 min · I 69C; US 281

Keep slight left at fork onto I 69C; US 281

56 mi · 58 min · Falfurrias Expressway

Use the straight / right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 69C; US 281

18 mi · 20 min · I 69C; US 281

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 2 East; US 83 East

0.5 mi · 33 sec · I 2 East; US 83 East

Continue on I 2; US 83

16 mi · 17 min · I 2; US 83

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 48 sec

Exit 163B Toward FM 491: Texas Avenue Use the slight right lane.

Turn straight onto Expressway 83

0.1 mi · 17 sec · Expressway 83

Turn right onto FM 491

0.4 mi · 46 sec · North Texas Avenue

Arrive at destination

South Texas Avenue

Trip Plan

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 3 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 379.4 miles from Amarillo, TX, or about 6h 41m 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 167 miles or 2h 56m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 379.4 miles or 6h 41m 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 379.4 miles or 6h 41m

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 12h 18m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mercedes, 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 379 miles and 6.7 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Mercedes, TX

Aim for roughly 379 miles and 6.7 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 167 miles from Amarillo, TX.

This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.

Plan about 3 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 379.4 mi from Amarillo, TX · 6h 41m into the drive

First major stop

Coffee and fuel

Rotan, TX

250 mi into the route

Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch

This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.

Popular next leg

Rotan, TX to San Antonio, TX

296.5 mi · 4h 47m

Second major stop

Overnight candidate

San Antonio, TX

501 mi into the route

Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start

This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.

Find hotels in San Antonio, TX

Popular next leg

San Antonio, TX to Mercedes, TX

251.9 mi · 4h 31m

Overnight Options

Night 1

Kerrville, TX

379 mi · about 6.7h in

A practical overnight split lands near Kerrville, TX after about 379 miles or 6.7 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Post, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 167 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Kerrville, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 379.4 miles from Amarillo, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Marshall Formby Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 103.7 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 379 miles or 6.7 hours on the road.

Arriving in Mercedes, TX

The final approach into Mercedes, 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 Mercedes, TX.

On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Mercedes, TX with some flexibility left in the schedule.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

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

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Welcome to San Antonio Missions, a National Park Service site and the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas. Each mission in the park is a center of community and has been since the early 1700s. Th...

6 mi from route ~16 min detour Free near mile 523.3

View on nps.gov

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

View on nps.gov

Lake Meredith National Recreation Area

National Recreation Area

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

View on nps.gov

Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park

National Historical Park

On May 8, 1846, U.S. and Mexican troops clashed on the prairie of Palo Alto. The battle was the first in a two-year long war that changed the map of North America. Although the two countries have deve...

29 mi from route ~73 min detour Free near mile 758.8

View on nps.gov

Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park tells the story of our 36th president beginning with his ancestors until his final resting place on his beloved LBJ Ranch. This entire "circle of life" gives...

30 mi from route ~75 min detour Free near mile 470.9

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$115.91 one way

$231.82 round trip

$3.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 266 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$127.02	$254.05
premium	$4.59	$137.15	$274.30
diesel	$5.64	$168.58	$337.16

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$116

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$246–$356

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 265.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $80 in charging · 2 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	227.6	2	$79.67	$36.42
Efficient EV	189.7	2	$66.40	$30.35
EV Truck/SUV	303.5	3	$106.23	$48.56

Gas CO2

265 kg

EV CO2

89 kg (66% less)

Plan for 2 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Amarillo, TX

Morning in Amarillo on Monday

Local time

7:54 AM

CDT

Current temp

46°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Mercedes, TX

Morning in Mercedes on Monday

Local time

7:54 AM

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.

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

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

13h 24m 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 Mercedes, TX covers 758.8 miles and takes about 13h 24m 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, I 10. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

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 379 miles on day one.

The midpoint is about 379.4 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 $115.91 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 3 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Between Amarillo, TX and Mercedes, TX, road signs point toward Loop 289, Sh 70 South, Sh 70 Business: Sweetwater, San Angelo and Downtown.

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Return Trip

Mercedes, TX to Amarillo, TX

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764 mi 11h 13m

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Trip from Amarillo, TX to Mercedes, TX

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Overnight Options

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Mercedes, TX

National Parks Near This Route

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument

Lake Meredith National Recreation Area

Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park

Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Amarillo, TX

Mercedes, TX

Same local time

35 degrees warmer at arrival

13h 24m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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