Trip from Killeen, TX to Amarillo, TX

Drive Time

8h 12m

Distance

455.9 mi

734 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$70

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 24 min

4 AM

8h 4m ★

6 AM

8h 12m

8 AM

8h 28m

10 AM

8h 18m

12 PM

8h 16m

3 PM

8h 19m

5 PM

8h 27m

8 PM

8h 7m

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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Killeen, TX

Jeff Stapleton

Amarillo, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Killeen, TX to Amarillo, TX covers 455.9 miles and takes about 8h 12m 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 84, State Highway 153 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 109.9 miles on Marshall Formby Memorial Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $69.64 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

2 planned breaks

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

Midpoint

227.9 miles from Killeen, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 15m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 8h 12m highway drive covering 455.9 miles, with most of the trip on Marshall Formby Memorial Highway and US 84. The longest continuous stretch is about 109.9 miles on Marshall Formby Memorial Highway.

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

There are about 45 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 109.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Marshall Formby Memorial Highway and US 84. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 31 significant decision points across 455.9 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: near the start: Navigation decision point; at 7.4 miles (US 190): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 217.3 miles (US 84): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 31 key points

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

0 mi into trip | ~0m in

Turn left

Navigation decision point

7.4 mi into trip | ~9m in | US 190

Keep slight left at fork onto US 190 toward US 190 West: Lampasas

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward US 190 West: Lampasas

217.3 mi into trip | ~4h 4m in | US 84

Take the exit onto US 84 toward US 84 West: Snyder, Lubbock

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 238A Toward US 84 West: Snyder, Lubbock

454.3 mi into trip | ~8h 8m 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

455.2 mi into trip | ~8h 10m 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.

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Killeen, TX to Amarillo, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Lubbock along the way.

Lubbock

217.3 mi in | ~4h 4m | via US 84

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Marshall Formby Memorial Highway	109.9 mi	1h 51m
US 84	104.9 mi	1h 49m
State Highway 153	69 mi	1h 14m
North US Highway 183	36.9 mi	40m
East Commerce Street	22 mi	25m
Highway 84	20 mi	19m
Canyon Expressway	13.5 mi	15m
US 190	12.8 mi	14m

Longest stretch: Marshall Formby Memorial Highway — 109.9 mi, about 1h 51m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on this road

74 ft · 10 sec · this road

Turn left

83 ft · 8 sec

Turn right onto US 190 Bus

2.6 mi · 4 min · East Veterans Memorial Boulevard

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min

Merge onto I 14; US 190

4.3 mi · 4 min · Central Texas Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto US 190

13 mi · 14 min · US 190

Toward US 190 West: Lampasas Use the slight left lane.

Turn right onto FM 1715

6.4 mi · 8 min · FM 1715

At end of road, turn left onto FM 580

2.6 mi · 2 min · East FM 580

Continue on FM 580

1.1 mi · 2 min · East Avenue J

At end of road, turn right onto US 183; US 190; US 281

0.4 mi · 32 sec · North Key Avenue

Continue on US 183; US 190; US 281

0.2 mi · 14 sec · North US Highway 281

Keep slight left at fork onto US 183; US 190

37 mi · 40 min · North US Highway 183

At end of road, turn left onto US 84; US 183; TX 16

30 mi · 34 min · US 84; US 183; TX 16

Turn left onto US 67; US 84; US 183; US 377

1.7 mi · 2 min · Early Boulevard

Continue on US 67; US 84; US 377

22 mi · 25 min · East Commerce Street

Keep slight right at fork onto US 84; US 283

7.2 mi · 8 min · Wallis Avenue

Turn right onto TX 153

0.9 mi · 1 min · East Walnut Street

Continue on TX 153; TX 206

1.0 mi · 1 min · West Walnut Street

Continue on TX 153

69 mi · 1 hr 14 min · State Highway 153

Keep slight right at fork onto TX 153

19 ft · 0 sec · State Highway 153

Turn right onto TX 70

10 mi · 10 min · State Highway 70

Continue on TX 70

0.8 mi · 1 min · Lamar Street

Turn left onto Northwest Georgia Avenue

0.1 mi · 16 sec · Northwest Georgia Avenue

Take the ramp

340 ft · 8 sec

Toward I 20 West: Midland

Merge onto I 20; US 84

6.0 mi · 5 min · I 20; US 84

Take the exit onto US 84

0.3 mi · 19 sec · US 84

Exit 238A Toward US 84 West: Snyder, Lubbock

Keep slight left at fork onto US 84

74 mi · 1 hr 14 min · US 84

Turn right onto Loop 46

1.0 mi · 1 min · South Avenue F

Keep slight left at fork onto TX 207

0.1 mi · 10 sec · North Avenue F

Turn straight onto TX 207

0.4 mi · 38 sec · Ralls Road

Turn left onto Spur 575

0.1 mi · 17 sec · East 15th Street

Turn right onto US 84

1.0 mi · 1 min · North US Highway 84

Continue on US 84

20 mi · 19 min · Highway 84

Continue on US 84

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

Continue on US 84

6.8 mi · 6 min · East Highway 84

Continue on US 84

4.5 mi · 5 min · Slaton Road

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec

Turn slight right onto Interstate 27

321 ft · 6 sec · Interstate 27

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 31 sec

Merge onto I 27; US 87

110 mi · 1 hr 51 min · Marshall Formby Memorial Highway

Continue on I 27; US 60; US 87

13 mi · 15 min · Canyon Expressway

Use the straight / right lanes.

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.

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.

Turn right onto I 40 Business; Original US Route 66; US 60

105 ft · 1 sec · East Amarillo Boulevard

Arrive at destination

I 40 Business; Original US Route 66; US 60

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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 227.9 miles from Killeen, TX, or about 4h 15m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 109.9 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 100 miles or 1h 55m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 227.9 miles or 4h 15m 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 227.9 miles or 4h 15m

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 7h 7m

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 Killeen, 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 Killeen, TX

Aim for roughly 228 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Amarillo, TX

Aim for roughly 228 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 100 miles from Killeen, TX.

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

Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on Marshall Formby Memorial Highway for about 109.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 227.9 mi from Killeen, TX · 4h 15m into the drive

Mid-route town

Overnight candidate

Sweetwater, TX

228 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 Sweetwater, TX

Overnight Options

Night 1

Sweetwater, TX

228 mi · about 4.1h in

A practical overnight split lands near Sweetwater, TX after about 228 miles or 4.1 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Harker Heights, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 100 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Sweetwater, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 227.9 miles from Killeen, 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 109.9 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 228 miles or 4.1 hours on the road.

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.

On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Amarillo, 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.

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 near mile 455.9

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 near mile 455.9

View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$69.64 one way

$139.28 round trip

$3.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 160 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$76.32	$152.64
premium	$4.59	$82.40	$164.81
diesel	$5.64	$101.29	$202.57

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$70

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$200–$310

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 159.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $48 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	136.8	1	$47.87	$21.88
Efficient EV	114	1	$39.89	$18.24
EV Truck/SUV	182.4	2	$63.83	$29.18

Gas CO2

160 kg

EV CO2

53 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

Killeen, TX

Morning in Killeen on Monday

Local time

8:15 AM

CDT

Current temp

60°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Amarillo, TX

Morning in Amarillo on Monday

Local time

8:15 AM

CDT

Current temp

46°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

55°F

Sweetwater, TX

228 mi in

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

14 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

8h 12m 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 Killeen, TX to Amarillo, TX covers 455.9 miles and takes about 8h 12m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Marshall Formby Memorial Highway, US 84, State Highway 153. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

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 228 miles on day one.

The midpoint is about 227.9 miles from Killeen, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $69.64 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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

On the drive from Killeen, TX to Amarillo, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Lubbock along the way.

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Return Trip

Amarillo, TX to Killeen, TX

Plan the drive back the other way.

455.7 mi 8h 12m

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Trip from Killeen, TX to Amarillo, 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 Amarillo, TX

National Parks Near This Route

Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument

Lake Meredith National Recreation Area

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Killeen, TX

Amarillo, TX

Same local time

14 degrees cooler at arrival

8h 12m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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