Origin
Midland, TX
Afternoon in Midland on Sunday
Local time
3:28 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Midland, TX to Amarillo, TX
Drive Time
4h 10m
Distance
240 mi
386 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 57m
★
6 AM
4h 11m
8 AM
4h 37m
10 AM
4h 20m
12 PM
4h 17m
3 PM
4h 21m
5 PM
4h 36m
8 PM
4h 3m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Midland, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Amarillo, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Midland to Amarillo covers 240 miles across the Texas Great Plains, a journey that typically takes about 4 hours and 10 minutes. Because of the manageable duration, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $37 on fuel for the trek, making it a budget-friendly option for your regional travels. Navigating between these two cities involves a mix of routes, primarily utilizing the Marshall Formby Memorial Highway, North US Highway 87, and State Highway 349. Whether you are heading north for business or leisure, this drive offers a straightforward connection through the heart of West Texas.
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
120 miles from Midland, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 5m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip features a mixed drive profile, with 47% of your travel occurring on highways. You will spend a significant portion of your time on the Marshall Formby Memorial Highway, which hosts the longest uninterrupted stretch of the journey at 111.1 miles. The road transition requires you to stay alert as you shift between different road classifications, moving from the primary highway arteries to state-level routes. While the terrain remains consistent across the Great Plains, the varying road types ensure the drive stays engaging rather than feeling like a monotonous interstate grind. Prepare for a steady pace that balances higher-speed highway sections with the more localized flow of the state highway segments.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 15 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 TX 349 Bus / North Big Spring Street.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 4h 10m 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 (TX 349 Bus / North Big Spring Street): Navigation decision point; at 54 miles (US 87; US 180 / South US Highway 87): Navigation decision point; at 238.3 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
|
TX 349 Bus / North Big Spring Street
Turn right onto TX 349 Bus / North Big Spring Street
Navigation decision point
5
54 mi into trip
|
~58m in
|
US 87; US 180 / South US Highway 87
At end of road, turn left onto US 87; US 180 / South US Highway 87
Navigation decision point
7
238.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 6m 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
239.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 8m 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
239.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 10m 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 | 51.2 mi | 51m |
| State Highway 349 | 47.7 mi | 47m |
| Canyon Expressway | 13.5 mi | 15m |
| North Big Spring Street | 6.3 mi | 10m |
| Tahoka Highway | 4.4 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 Midland, TX and Amarillo, TX.
1
Start on Loop 269
44 ft
·
3 sec
·
West Wall Street
2
Turn right onto TX 349 Bus
6.3 mi
·
10 min
·
North Big Spring Street
3
Continue on TX 349 Bus
48 mi
·
47 min
·
State Highway 349
Use the none lane.
4
At end of road, turn left onto US 87; US 180
268 ft
·
3 sec
·
South US Highway 87
5
Continue on US 87; US 180
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
South Dallas Avenue
6
Continue on US 87; US 180
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South Lynn Avenue
7
Continue on US 87
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Lubbock Highway
8
Continue on US 87
51 mi
·
51 min
·
North US Highway 87
9
Continue on I 27; US 87
4.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Tahoka Highway
10
Continue on I 27; US 87
111 mi
·
1 hr 52 min
·
Marshall Formby Memorial Highway
11
Continue on I 27; US 60; US 87
13 mi
·
15 min
·
Canyon Expressway
Use the none / straight / right lanes.
12
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.
13
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.
14
Turn right onto I 40 Business; Original US Route 66; US 60
105 ft
·
1 sec
·
East Amarillo Boulevard
15
Arrive at destination
I 40 Business; Original US Route 66; US 60
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 4-hour and 10-minute transit, aim for a morning departure to keep your afternoon open once you arrive in Amarillo. Since the route includes one planned stop, use that break to stretch your legs and refresh your fuel supply, keeping in mind the $37 estimate provided. With the longest stretch lasting over 111 miles, ensure you have your podcasts or music queued up before you hit the Marshall Formby Memorial Highway. Flexibility is your biggest advantage on this trip, so don't feel pressured to rush through the transition between Highway 87 and State Highway 349. Prioritize checking your tire pressure before leaving Midland, as the sustained highway speeds on the longer stretches will be the primary test for your vehicle.
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 120 miles from Midland, TX, or about 2h 5m 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 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 120 miles or 2h 5m 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 22m
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 Midland, 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 Midland, TX
This is one driving day of about 240 miles and 4h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Midland, 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 120 mi from Midland, TX · 2h 5m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
120 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 120 miles from Midland, 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
$36.66 one way
$73.32 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
84 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $40.18 | $80.35 |
| premium | $4.59 | $43.38 | $86.76 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $53.32 | $106.64 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 72 | 0 | $25.20 | $11.52 |
| Efficient EV | 60 | 0 | $21.00 | $9.60 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 96 | 1 | $33.60 | $15.36 |
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 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
Amarillo, TX
Afternoon in Amarillo on Sunday
Local time
3:28 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
7 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
4h 10m 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 Midland, TX to Amarillo, TX covers 240 miles and takes about 4h 10m 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, State Highway 349. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 120 miles from Midland, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $36.66 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 is a straightforward 4h 10m 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 (TX 349 Bus / North Big Spring Street): Navigation decision point; at 54 miles (US 87; US 180 / South US Highway 87): Navigation decision point; at 238.3 miles (US 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Midland, TX to Amarillo, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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