Origin
Big Spring, TX
Afternoon in Big Spring on Sunday
Local time
3:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Big Spring, TX to Amarillo, TX
Drive Time
3h 57m
Distance
227.8 mi
367 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 44m
★
6 AM
3h 57m
8 AM
4h 23m
10 AM
4h 6m
12 PM
4h 4m
3 PM
4h 8m
5 PM
4h 22m
8 PM
3h 49m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Big Spring, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Amarillo, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Stretching 227.8 miles across the Texas Great Plains, this drive from Big Spring to Amarillo typically takes about 3 hours and 57 minutes. Because it is a manageable sub-four-hour trek, you can easily complete the journey in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to budget roughly $35 for fuel to cover the distance. You will primarily navigate via the Marshall Formby Memorial Highway and US Highway 87. This route offers a straightforward transition through the heart of the region, making it a functional choice for travelers who prefer a direct, no-nonsense path between these two Texas hubs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
113.9 miles from Big Spring, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 57m into the drive .
Drive Character
The route features a mixed driving profile, with highways accounting for 44% of your total time behind the wheel. You should prepare for a consistent pace, as your longest uninterrupted stretch covers 111.1 miles along the Marshall Formby Memorial Highway. Transitioning between the Marshall Formby Memorial Highway and the segments of North and South US Highway 87 provides a steady, rhythmic experience on the road. While it lacks the stop-and-go intensity of urban commuting, the varied road types keep the drive from feeling purely monotonous. Expect a balanced mix of highway cruising and local road travel as you head north.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 20 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 111.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 87 Bus / South Gregg Street.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h 57m drive. You will face about 5 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 87 Bus / South Gregg Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.8 miles (US 87 / William B Crooker Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 226.1 miles (US 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 5 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 87 Bus / South Gregg Street
Turn left onto US 87 Bus / South Gregg Street
Navigation decision point
3
3.8 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
US 87 / William B Crooker Memorial Highway
Merge onto US 87 / William B Crooker Memorial Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining
7
226.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 53m in
|
US 87
Keep slight left at fork onto US 87 toward US 87 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward US 87 North
6
227.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 55m in
|
US 87; Original US Route 66 / South Fillmore Street
Keep slight right at fork onto US 87; Original US Route 66 / South Fillmore Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
227.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 57m in
|
I 40 Business; Original US Route 66; US 60 / East Amarillo Boulevard
Turn right onto I 40 Business; Original US Route 66; US 60 / East Amarillo Boulevard
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Marshall Formby Memorial Highway | 111.1 mi | 1h 52m |
| North US Highway 87 | 68.8 mi | 1h 10m |
| South US Highway 87 | 18.1 mi | 18m |
| Canyon Expressway | 13.5 mi | 15m |
| Tahoka Highway | 4.4 mi | 4m |
| William Crooker Highway | 4.3 mi | 4m |
| South Lynn Avenue | 1.7 mi | 1m |
| South Dallas Avenue | 1.3 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Marshall Formby Memorial Highway
— 111.1 mi, about 1h 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Big Spring, TX and Amarillo, TX.
1
Start on I 20 Bus
81 ft
·
9 sec
·
West 4th Street
2
Turn left onto US 87 Bus
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Gregg Street
3
Continue on US 87 Bus
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Lamesa Highway
4
Continue on US 87 Bus
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
North US Highway 87
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
6
Merge onto US 87
0.4 mi
·
25 sec
·
William B Crooker Memorial Highway
7
Continue on US 87
15 mi
·
15 min
·
North US Highway 87
8
Continue on US 87
4.3 mi
·
4 min
·
William Crooker Highway
9
Continue on US 87
18 mi
·
18 min
·
South US Highway 87
10
Continue on US 87; US 180
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
South Dallas Avenue
11
Continue on US 87; US 180
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South Lynn Avenue
12
Continue on US 87
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Lubbock Highway
13
Continue on US 87
51 mi
·
51 min
·
North US Highway 87
14
Continue on I 27; US 87
4.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Tahoka Highway
15
Continue on I 27; US 87
111 mi
·
1 hr 52 min
·
Marshall Formby Memorial Highway
16
Continue on I 27; US 60; US 87
13 mi
·
15 min
·
Canyon Expressway
Use the none / straight / right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto US 87
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
US 87
Toward US 87 North
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto US 87; Original US Route 66
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South Fillmore Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Turn right onto I 40 Business; Original US Route 66; US 60
105 ft
·
1 sec
·
East Amarillo Boulevard
20
Arrive at destination
I 40 Business; Original US Route 66; US 60
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 227.8-mile journey, aim to depart early to take full advantage of the daylight hours. With only one recommended stop, you have the flexibility to pace yourself based on your personal comfort, but be sure to keep an eye on your fuel gauge during that 111.1-mile stretch on the Marshall Formby Memorial Highway. Because the total duration is just under four hours, you can easily reach your destination by mid-afternoon if you leave in the morning. Factor the $35 fuel cost into your travel budget ahead of time to avoid any surprises at the pump. Since the route is relatively short, use your single stop to stretch and reset before tackling the remaining miles into Amarillo.
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 113.9 miles from Big Spring, TX, or about 1h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.1 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 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 113.9 miles or 1h 57m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Amarillo, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Big Spring, 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 Big Spring, TX
This is one driving day of about 227.8 miles and 3h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Big Spring, 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 Marshall Formby Memorial Highway for about 111.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 113.9 mi from Big Spring, TX · 1h 57m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
114 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 113.9 miles from Big Spring, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Marshall Formby Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 111.1 miles.
Arriving in Amarillo, TX
The final approach into Amarillo, 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 Amarillo, TX.
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.80 one way
$69.60 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
80 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $38.13 | $76.27 |
| premium | $4.59 | $41.17 | $82.35 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $50.61 | $101.22 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 79.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 68.3 | 0 | $23.92 | $10.93 |
| Efficient EV | 57 | 0 | $19.93 | $9.11 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 91.1 | 1 | $31.89 | $14.58 |
Gas CO2
80 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 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.
Destination
Amarillo, TX
Afternoon in Amarillo on Sunday
Local time
3:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°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
6 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
3h 57m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Big Spring, TX to Amarillo, TX covers 227.8 miles and takes about 3h 57m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Marshall Formby Memorial Highway, North US Highway 87, South US Highway 87. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 113.9 miles from Big Spring, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $34.80 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 3h 57m drive. You will face about 5 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 87 Bus / South Gregg Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.8 miles (US 87 / William B Crooker Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 226.1 miles (US 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Big Spring, TX to Amarillo, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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