Trip from Amarillo, TX to Plainview, TX

Drive Time

5h 54m

Distance

318.6 mi

513 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$49

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min

4 AM

5h 41m ★

6 AM

5h 54m

8 AM

6h 20m

10 AM

6h 3m

12 PM

6h 1m

3 PM

6h 5m

5 PM

6h 19m

8 PM

5h 46m

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

Wikimedia Commons

Plainview, TX

Jeff Stapleton

Trip Overview

The drive from Amarillo, TX to Plainview, TX covers 318.6 miles and takes about 5h 54m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US Highway 287, US 287, Central East Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 81.8 miles on US Highway 287. At current regular gas prices, budget about $48.67 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

1 planned break

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

Midpoint

159.3 miles from Amarillo, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 52m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 5h 54m highway drive covering 318.6 miles, with most of the trip on US Highway 287 and US 287. The longest continuous stretch is about 81.8 miles on US Highway 287.

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.

US Highway 287 is the longest continuous segment at about 81.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 287 and US 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 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 318.6 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 222 miles (I 44; US 277; US 281; US 287 / Central Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 17 key points

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

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

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...

222 mi into trip | ~3h 58m in | I 44; US 277; US 281; US 287 / Central Freeway

Merge onto I 44; US 277; US 281; US 287 / Central Freeway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

298 mi into trip | ~5h 19m in

Keep slight left at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

317.3 mi into trip | ~5h 49m in | Plainview Road

At end of road, turn left onto Plainview Road

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
US Highway 287	81.8 mi	1h 27m
US 287	77.2 mi	1h 21m
Central East Freeway	72.5 mi	1h 16m
US Highway 287 East	40.5 mi	42m
West US Highway 380	16.6 mi	19m
Northwest Freeway	5.2 mi	5m
East Amarillo Boulevard	5.1 mi	6m
Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Highway	4.1 mi	4m

Longest stretch: US Highway 287 — 81.8 mi, about 1h 27m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Amarillo, TX and Plainview, TX.

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

5.1 mi · 6 min · East Amarillo Boulevard

Turn right

194 ft · 5 sec

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 37 sec

Merge onto Loop 335

1.9 mi · 2 min · North Lakeside Drive

Turn left onto East Interstate Drive

0.1 mi · 16 sec · East Interstate Drive

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 20 sec

Merge onto I 40; US 287

2.2 mi · 2 min · I 40; US 287

Take the exit onto US 287

77 mi · 1 hr 21 min · US 287

Exit 78 Toward US 287 South: Fort Worth

Turn slight right onto US 287

14 mi · 13 min · US Highway 287

Continue on US 287

0.7 mi · 58 sec · Burnett Street

Continue on US 287

14 mi · 14 min · US Highway 287

Continue on US 287

2.8 mi · 3 min · Avenue F Northwest

Continue on US 287

54 mi · 58 min · US Highway 287

Continue on US 287

4.1 mi · 4 min · Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 70; US 183; US 287

41 mi · 42 min · US Highway 287 East

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 287

4.6 mi · 4 min · Northwest Freeway

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

Merge onto I 44; US 277; US 281; US 287

2.5 mi · 3 min · Central Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 277; US 281; US 287

0.9 mi · 1 min · Lloyd Ruby Overpass

Use the straight lane.

Continue on US 281; US 287

0.9 mi · 1 min · Central East Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 82; US 287

1.8 mi · 1 min · Central East Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 82; US 287

70 mi · 1 hr 13 min · Central East Freeway

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 21 sec

Keep slight left at fork

147 ft · 4 sec

Turn left onto US 380

17 mi · 19 min · West US Highway 380

Turn left onto Ripy Road

2.4 mi · 9 min · Ripy Road

At end of road, turn right onto Riek Road

0.3 mi · 1 min · Riek Road

At end of road, turn left onto Plainview Road

1.3 mi · 5 min · Plainview Road

Turn right

70 ft · 5 sec

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 159.3 miles from Amarillo, TX, or about 2h 52m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 81.8 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 159.3 miles or 2h 52m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 40m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Plainview, 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 318.6 miles and 5h 54m.

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 US Highway 287 for about 81.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 159.3 mi from Amarillo, TX · 2h 52m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Childress, TX

159 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

Wellington, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Wichita Falls, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 159.3 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 US Highway 287 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 81.8 miles.

Arriving in Plainview, TX

The final approach into Plainview, 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 Plainview, 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

$48.67 one way

$97.34 round trip

$3.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 112 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$53.33	$106.67
premium	$4.59	$57.59	$115.17
diesel	$5.64	$70.78	$141.56

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$49

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$74–$99

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 111.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	95.6	1	$33.45	$15.29
Efficient EV	79.7	0	$27.88	$12.74
EV Truck/SUV	127.4	1	$44.60	$20.39

Gas CO2

111 kg

EV CO2

37 kg (67% 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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Amarillo, TX

Afternoon in Amarillo on Sunday

Local time

3:28 PM

CDT

Current temp

46°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Plainview, TX

Afternoon in Plainview on Sunday

Local time

3:28 PM

CDT

Current temp

56°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

10 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

5h 54m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

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 Plainview, TX covers 318.6 miles and takes about 5h 54m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are US Highway 287, US 287, Central East Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 159.3 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 $48.67 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

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.