Origin
Midlothian, TX
Evening in Midlothian on Thursday
Local time
5:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Midlothian, TX to Amarillo, TX
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
6h 38m
Distance
366.9 mi
590 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$55
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 26m
★
6 AM
6h 38m
8 AM
7h 2m
10 AM
6h 46m
12 PM
6h 44m
3 PM
6h 48m
5 PM
7h 1m
8 PM
6h 31m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Midlothian, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Amarillo, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 366.9-mile drive from Midlothian, TX to Amarillo, TX is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 6 hours and 38 minutes. The majority of your journey, 79% of it, will be on major highways, primarily US 81 and US Highway 287. With an estimated fuel cost of $55, this route offers a straightforward path through the Great Plains region of Texas. It’s a drive designed for making good time, perfect if you're looking to cover ground efficiently. You'll encounter just one significant recommended stop along the way.
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
183.4 miles from Midlothian, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 20m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 38m. Total distance: 366.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 38m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for most of this 366.9-mile journey. With 79% of the route on major highways like US 81 and US Highway 287 East, you'll experience stretches of consistent speed. The longest continuous segment you'll navigate is a 103.4-mile stretch on US 81. While primarily highway, the route offers a practical progression across the Texas landscape, allowing for a steady pace. This isn't a winding scenic byway, but rather a direct and efficient corridor.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 39 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.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 81 and US Highway 287. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 20.4 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 366.9 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: at 20.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 22 miles (US 287 / Martin Luther King Jr Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 28.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
20.4 mi into trip
|
~23m in
Take the exit toward US 287 North, I 820 : Downtown, Fort Worth
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 442B
Toward US 287 North, I 820 : Downtown, Fort Wor...
8
22 mi into trip
|
~25m in
|
US 287 / Martin Luther King Jr Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 287 / Martin Luther King Jr Freeway toward US 287 North: Downtown Fort Worth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 33A
Toward US 287 North: Downtown Fort Worth
7
28.8 mi into trip
|
~34m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 35W Express Toll North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 35W Express Toll North
7
37.6 mi into trip
|
~44m 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
144.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 39m 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 Midlothian, TX to Amarillo, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Fort Worth along the way.
Fort Worth
20.4 mi in
|
~23m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 81 | 103.4 mi | 1h 49m |
| US Highway 287 | 75.4 mi | 1h 17m |
| US Highway 287 East | 40.5 mi | 42m |
| East 11th Street | 28.7 mi | 32m |
| Boykin Drive | 26.2 mi | 28m |
| US Highway 287 West | 25.7 mi | 26m |
| West US Highway 287 | 18.8 mi | 20m |
| I 35W TEXpress | 8.2 mi | 8m |
Longest stretch:
US 81
— 103.4 mi, about 1h 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Midlothian, TX and Amarillo, TX.
1
Start on North 8th Street
56 ft
·
5 sec
·
North 8th Street
2
Turn right onto US 287 Bus
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
West Avenue G
3
Continue on US 287 Bus
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward US 287 North: Fort Worth
5
Continue on US 287
19 mi
·
20 min
·
West US Highway 287
Use the left lane.
6
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 442B
Toward US 287 North, I 820 : Downtown, Fort Worth
Use the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto I 820; US 287
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
I 820; US 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto US 287
6.6 mi
·
8 min
·
Martin Luther King Jr Freeway
Exit 33A
Toward US 287 North: Downtown Fort Worth
Use the slight left lane.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Toward I 35W North, US 287 North, I 35W TEXpress North: Denton
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 35W Express Toll North
Use the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto I 35W TEXpress
8.2 mi
·
8 min
·
I 35W TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 81 North, US 287 North: Decatur
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto US 81; US 287
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
US 81; US 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on US 81; US 287
102 mi
·
1 hr 47 min
·
US 81; US 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on US 281; US 287
0.8 mi
·
58 sec
·
Lloyd Ruby Overpass
16
Continue on US 277; US 281; US 287
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Central Freeway
Use the straight lane.
17
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.
18
Continue on US 287
40 mi
·
42 min
·
US Highway 287 East
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
19
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.
20
Continue on US 287
26 mi
·
26 min
·
US Highway 287 West
Use the straight lane.
21
Continue on US 287
29 mi
·
32 min
·
East 11th Street
22
Continue on US 287
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Avenue F Northeast
23
Continue on US 287
14 mi
·
14 min
·
US Highway 287
24
Continue on US 287
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Burnett Street
25
Continue on US 287
14 mi
·
13 min
·
US Highway 287
26
Turn straight onto US 287
26 mi
·
28 min
·
Boykin Drive
27
Continue on US 287
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East 2nd Street
28
Continue on US 287
28 mi
·
28 min
·
US Highway 287
29
Continue on US 287; FM 1151
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
East 1st Street
30
Continue on US 287
20 mi
·
20 min
·
US Highway 287
31
Keep slight right at fork onto East Interstate Drive
329 ft
·
8 sec
·
East Interstate Drive
Toward East 3rd Avenue
32
Keep slight right at fork onto Southeast 3rd Avenue
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Southeast 3rd Avenue
33
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
34
Merge onto Loop 335
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
North Lakeside Drive
35
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
Toward US 60, I 40 Business: Amarillo Boulevard
36
Turn left onto I 40 Business; US Historic 66; US 60
4.4 mi
·
5 min
·
East Amarillo Boulevard
37
Continue on I 40 Business; Original US Route 66; US 60
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
I 40 Business; Original US Route 66; US 60
38
Continue on I 40 Business
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
East Amarillo Boulevard
39
Arrive at destination
I 40 Business; Original US Route 66; US 60
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour, 38-minute duration, departing Midlothian early in the morning is your best bet to reach Amarillo comfortably within daylight. While this is a feasible one-day trip, plan for your single recommended stop strategically to break up the 366.9 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longer 103.4-mile stretch on US 81, as services can be spaced out on this highway-focused route. The estimated fuel cost is around $55, so factor that into your budget.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 183.4 miles from Midlothian, TX, or about 3h 20m 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 81 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 183.4 miles or 3h 20m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 32m
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 Midlothian, 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 Midlothian, TX
This is one driving day of about 366.9 miles and 6h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 81 miles from Midlothian, 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 183.4 mi from Midlothian, TX · 3h 20m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
183 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 81 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 183.4 miles from Midlothian, 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 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
$55.44 one way
$110.88 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
128 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $60.68 | $121.37 |
| premium | $4.54 | $65.51 | $131.02 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $81.01 | $162.01 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$55
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 128.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 110.1 | 1 | $38.52 | $17.61 |
| Efficient EV | 91.7 | 1 | $32.10 | $14.68 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 146.8 | 1 | $51.37 | $23.48 |
Gas CO2
128 kg
EV CO2
43 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Amarillo, TX
Evening in Amarillo on Thursday
Local time
5:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
84°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
24 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
6h 38m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Midlothian, TX to Amarillo, TX covers 366.9 miles and takes about 6h 38m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 81, US Highway 287, US Highway 287 East. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 183.4 miles from Midlothian, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $55.44 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 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 demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 366.9 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 20.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 22 miles (US 287 / Martin Luther King Jr Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 28.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Midlothian, TX to Amarillo, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Fort Worth along the way.
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