Origin
Fort Worth, TX
Late night in Fort Worth on Wednesday
Local time
5:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fort Worth, TX to Childress, TX
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
4h
Distance
223.6 mi
360 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 48m
★
6 AM
4h 1m
8 AM
4h 27m
10 AM
4h 10m
12 PM
4h 7m
3 PM
4h 11m
5 PM
4h 25m
8 PM
3h 53m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fort Worth, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Childress, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Fort Worth, TX to Childress, TX covers 223.6 miles and takes about 4h behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 81, US Highway 287 East, East 11th Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 103.4 miles on US 81. At current regular gas prices, budget about $33.79 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
111.8 miles from Fort Worth, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a 4h highway drive covering 223.6 miles, with most of the trip on US 81 and US Highway 287 East. The longest continuous stretch is about 103.4 miles on US 81.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 81 is the longest continuous segment at about 103.4 miles.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,871 ft
652 ft
Total Climb
1,400 ft
Total Descent
182 ft
Highest Point
1,871 ft
~223.6 mi in
Elevation Range
1,219 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 81 and US Highway 287 East. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Epps Street.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 223.6 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Epps Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.3 miles (South Freeway): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.4 miles (East Allen Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Epps Street
At end of road, turn right onto Epps Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
6
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
South Freeway
At end of road, turn right onto South Freeway
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
7
0.4 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
East Allen Avenue
Turn left onto East Allen Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
7
11.2 mi into trip
|
~13m in
Take the exit toward US 81 North, US 287 North: Decatur
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 81 North, US 287 North: Decatur
9
118.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 8m in
|
US 287 / Northwest Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 287 / Northwest Freeway toward US 287 North: Vernon, Amarillo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 3A
Toward US 287 North: Vernon, Amarillo
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Fort Worth, TX to Childress, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Amarillo along the way.
Amarillo
118.5 mi in
|
~2h 8m
|
via US 287
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 81 | 103.4 mi | 1h 49m |
| US Highway 287 East | 40.5 mi | 42m |
| East 11th Street | 28.7 mi | 32m |
| US Highway 287 West | 25.7 mi | 26m |
| I 35W TEXpress | 8.9 mi | 8m |
| Northwest Freeway | 5.3 mi | 5m |
| Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Highway | 4.1 mi | 4m |
| Central Freeway | 2.4 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
US 81
— 103.4 mi, about 1h 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Worth, TX and Childress, TX.
1
Start on South Freeway
54 ft
·
2 sec
·
South Freeway
2
Turn right onto Elmwood Avenue
475 ft
·
23 sec
·
Elmwood Avenue
3
At end of road, turn right onto Epps Street
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
Epps Street
4
Continue on East Maddox Avenue
412 ft
·
20 sec
·
East Maddox Avenue
5
At end of road, turn right onto South Freeway
321 ft
·
13 sec
·
South Freeway
6
Turn left onto East Allen Avenue
210 ft
·
13 sec
·
East Allen Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
7
Turn left onto South Freeway
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
·
South Freeway
Use the straight / left lanes.
8
Take the ramp onto US 287 Bus
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
US 287 Bus
Toward I 35W North
9
Merge onto I 35W; US 287 Bus
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit onto I 35W TEXpress
8.9 mi
·
8 min
·
I 35W TEXpress
Toward I 35W Express North: I 35W TEXpress North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 81 North, US 287 North: Decatur
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto US 81; US 287
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
US 81; US 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on US 81; US 287
102 mi
·
1 hr 47 min
·
US 81; US 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on US 281; US 287
0.8 mi
·
58 sec
·
Lloyd Ruby Overpass
15
Continue on US 277; US 281; US 287
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Central Freeway
Use the straight lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto US 287
5.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Northwest Freeway
Exit 3A
Toward US 287 North: Vernon, Amarillo
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
17
Continue on US 287
40 mi
·
42 min
·
US Highway 287 East
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
18
Continue on US 70; US 183; US 287
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on US 287
26 mi
·
26 min
·
US Highway 287 West
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on US 287
29 mi
·
32 min
·
East 11th Street
21
Continue on US 287
0.8 mi
·
55 sec
·
Avenue F Northeast
22
Arrive at destination
US 287
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 111.8 miles from Fort Worth, TX, or about 2h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 103.4 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 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 111.8 miles or 2h 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 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Childress, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fort Worth, 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 Fort Worth, TX
This is one driving day of about 223.6 miles and 4h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Fort Worth, 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 81 for about 103.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 111.8 mi from Fort Worth, TX · 2h into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
112 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 111.8 miles from Fort Worth, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 103.4 miles.
Arriving in Childress, TX
The final approach into Childress, 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 Childress, 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
$33.79 one way
$67.57 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
78 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $36.98 | $73.96 |
| premium | $4.54 | $39.92 | $79.84 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $49.37 | $98.74 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 78.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 67.1 | 0 | $23.48 | $10.73 |
| Efficient EV | 55.9 | 0 | $19.56 | $8.94 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 89.4 | 1 | $31.30 | $14.31 |
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (67% 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
Childress, TX
Late night in Childress on Wednesday
Local time
5:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 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 Fort Worth, TX to Childress, TX covers 223.6 miles and takes about 4h without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 81, US Highway 287 East, East 11th Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 111.8 miles from Fort Worth, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $33.79 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 223.6 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Epps Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.3 miles (South Freeway): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.4 miles (East Allen Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Fort Worth, TX to Childress, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Amarillo along the way.
Gently rolling terrain. The route ranges from 652 ft to 1,871 ft elevation with about 1,400 ft of total climbing.
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