Trip from Port Arthur, TX to Amarillo, TX

Data updated 1 hour ago

Drive Time

12h 12m

Distance

659.6 mi

1,062 km

Drive Score

6/10

Good drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$100

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min

4 AM

12h 2m ★

6 AM

12h 13m

8 AM

12h 35m

10 AM

12h 21m

12 PM

12h 18m

3 PM

12h 22m

5 PM

12h 34m

8 PM

12h 6m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

city in Jefferson County, Texas, United States

Port Arthur, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Amarillo, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 659.6-mile journey from Port Arthur, TX, to Amarillo, TX, is a substantial undertaking, estimated to take 12 hours and 12 minutes of driving time. Given its length and duration, it's best suited for a two-day trip, allowing for a more relaxed pace. The route primarily utilizes US 69, US 81, and US Highway 175 West, making it a familiar road trip experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $100, you'll want to budget accordingly. This drive spans across Texas, moving from one part of the Great Plains region to another, offering a consistent landscape throughout.

Trip Pace

Best split across 2 days

Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.

Break Rhythm

3 planned breaks

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

Midpoint

329.8 miles from Port Arthur, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 6h 18m into the drive .

Loading map...

Drive Character

The majority of this 659.6-mile drive, 86% to be exact, is on highways, suggesting a generally efficient travel experience. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 150.1 miles on US 69, indicating some extended periods of continuous driving. While primarily highway-based, the inclusion of US 81 and US Highway 175 West suggests you might experience a mix of faster-paced sections and potentially more local road characteristics as you progress. This route is characterized as a long-distance drive, so expect consistent, albeit not necessarily varied, road conditions for much of the journey.

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

There are about 67 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

US 69 is the longest continuous segment at about 150.1 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 69 and US 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 294.9 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 32 significant decision points across 659.6 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 294.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 300.8 miles (TX 183 / John W Carpenter Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 327.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 32 key points

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

294.9 mi into trip | ~5h 40m in

Take the exit toward Waco, Denton

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. Exit 286A Toward Waco, Denton

300.8 mi into trip | ~5h 49m in | TX 183 / John W Carpenter Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto TX 183 / John W Carpenter Freeway toward TX 183: Irving, DFW Airport

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / straight lanes. Exit 433A Toward TX 183: Irving, DFW Airport

327.2 mi into trip | ~6h 16m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 35W Express North: Denton

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 35W Express North: Denton

330.3 mi into trip | ~6h 19m 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

437.7 mi into trip | ~8h 14m 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.

Between Port Arthur, TX and Amarillo, TX, road signs point toward Waco, Denton and Dfw Airport.

Waco

294.9 mi in | ~5h 40m

Denton

294.9 mi in | ~5h 40m

Dfw Airport

300.8 mi in | ~5h 49m | via TX 183

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
US 69	150.1 mi	2h 53m
US 81	103.4 mi	1h 49m
US Highway 175 West	78.4 mi	1h 25m
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

Longest stretch: US 69 — 150.1 mi, about 2h 53m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on Augusta Avenue

197 ft · 10 sec · Augusta Avenue

Turn left onto TX 87

0.9 mi · 1 min · Gulfway Drive

Turn slight left onto Bluebonnet Avenue

0.4 mi · 1 min · Bluebonnet Avenue

At end of road, turn left onto US 69; US 96; US 287

1.6 mi · 2 min · Memorial Boulevard

Continue on US 69; US 96; US 287

16 mi · 16 min · Memorial Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto US 69; US 96; US 287

0.2 mi · 22 sec · US 69; US 96; US 287

Toward I 10 East, US 69 North, US 96 North, US 287 North: Lake Charles, Lufkin

Keep slight left at fork onto US 69; US 96; US 287

2.8 mi · 3 min · US 69; US 96; US 287

Toward I 10 East, US 69 North, US 96 North, US 287 North: Lake Charles, Lufkin

Take the exit onto US 69; US 96; US 287

10 mi · 11 min · Eastex Freeway

Exit 853A Toward US 69 North, US 96 North, US 287 North: Lufkin, Jasper

Keep slight left at fork onto US 69; US 287

94 mi · 1 hr 46 min · US 69; US 287

Toward US 69 North, US 287 North: Kountze, Lufkin

Turn right onto US 69 Bus

0.6 mi · 1 min · South Chestnut Street

Turn straight

304 ft · 11 sec

Turn straight onto US 59 Bus; US 69 Bus

1.2 mi · 2 min · South Timberland Drive

Turn left onto US 69 Bus; TX 103

2.1 mi · 3 min · Kurth Drive

At end of road, turn left onto TX 103; Loop 287

0.6 mi · 59 sec · Loop 287 Frontage Road

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 21 sec

Merge onto US 69

54 mi · 1 hr 3 min · US 69

Turn left onto US 175

0.2 mi · 19 sec · Alexander Boulevard

Continue on US 175

0.6 mi · 56 sec · Frankston Highway

Continue on US 175

9.6 mi · 10 min · US Highway 175 West

Turn slight right

3.8 mi · 4 min

Merge onto US 175

1.9 mi · 2 min · East Pine Street

Continue on US 175

21 mi · 22 min · US Highway 175

Continue on US 175 Bus

2.5 mi · 4 min · East Corsicana Street

Keep slight right at fork onto US 175 Bus

69 mi · 1 hr 14 min · US Highway 175 West

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 45

3.1 mi · 3 min · Julius Schepps Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min

Exit 286A Toward Waco, Denton Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on Spur 366

0.9 mi · 1 min · Woodall Rodgers Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 48 sec

Toward I 35E North: Denton Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 35E

4.1 mi · 5 min · North Stemmons Freeway

Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto TX 183

0.8 mi · 48 sec · John W Carpenter Freeway

Exit 433A Toward TX 183: Irving, DFW Airport Use the slight left / straight lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto TX 183 TEXpress

1.5 mi · 1 min · SH 183 TEXpress

Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto TX 183 TEXpress

15 mi · 14 min · SH 183 TEXpress

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on TX 121 TEXpress; TX 183 TEXpress

2.0 mi · 2 min · SH 121/183 TEXpress

Continue on TX 183 TEXpress

0.1 mi · 7 sec · SH 183 TEXpress

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on TX 121 TEXpress; TX 183 TEXpress

0.7 mi · 42 sec · SH 121/183 TEXpress

Continue on I 820 TEXpress

6.2 mi · 6 min · I 820 TEXpress

Toward I 820 Express West Toll Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec

Toward I 35W Express: Fort Worth, Denton

Keep slight right at fork

0.8 mi · 50 sec

Toward I 35W Express North: Denton Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 35W TEXpress

2.3 mi · 2 min · I 35W TEXpress

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min

Toward US 81 North, US 287 North: Decatur Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto US 81; US 287

1.7 mi · 1 min · US 81; US 287

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 81; US 287

102 mi · 1 hr 47 min · US 81; US 287

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 281; US 287

0.8 mi · 58 sec · Lloyd Ruby Overpass

Continue on US 277; US 281; US 287

2.4 mi · 3 min · Central Freeway

Use the straight lane.

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.

Continue on US 287

40 mi · 42 min · US Highway 287 East

Use the straight / left / right lanes.

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.

Continue on US 287

26 mi · 26 min · US Highway 287 West

Use the straight lane.

Continue on US 287

29 mi · 32 min · East 11th Street

Continue on US 287

2.8 mi · 3 min · Avenue F Northeast

Continue on US 287

14 mi · 14 min · US Highway 287

Continue on US 287

0.7 mi · 1 min · Burnett Street

Continue on US 287

14 mi · 13 min · US Highway 287

Turn straight onto US 287

26 mi · 28 min · Boykin Drive

Continue on US 287

1.6 mi · 1 min · East 2nd Street

Continue on US 287

28 mi · 28 min · US Highway 287

Continue on US 287; FM 1151

1.1 mi · 2 min · East 1st Street

Continue on US 287

20 mi · 20 min · US Highway 287

Keep slight right at fork onto East Interstate Drive

329 ft · 8 sec · East Interstate Drive

Toward East 3rd Avenue

Keep slight right at fork onto Southeast 3rd Avenue

2.6 mi · 3 min · Southeast 3rd Avenue

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 26 sec

Merge onto Loop 335

1.3 mi · 1 min · North Lakeside Drive

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 46 sec

Toward US 60, I 40 Business: Amarillo Boulevard

Turn left onto I 40 Business; US Historic 66; US 60

4.4 mi · 5 min · East Amarillo Boulevard

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

Continue on I 40 Business

0.1 mi · 17 sec · East Amarillo Boulevard

Arrive at destination

I 40 Business; Original US Route 66; US 60

Trip Plan

Given the 12-hour, 12-minute duration, breaking this trip into two days is highly recommended to avoid driver fatigue. Plan to make around three stops throughout your journey, spacing them out to coincide with the longest stretches of driving. The estimated fuel cost is $100, so ensure your vehicle is fueled up before departing and be mindful of fuel availability, especially during the 150.1-mile segment on US 69. Starting your drive earlier in the day will maximize daylight hours and allow for more flexibility in reaching your overnight accommodation.

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 3 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 329.8 miles from Port Arthur, TX, or about 6h 18m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 150.1 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 145 miles or 2h 50m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 329.8 miles or 6h 18m 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 329.8 miles or 6h 18m

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 11h 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 Port Arthur, 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 Port Arthur, TX

Aim for roughly 330 miles and 6.1 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Amarillo, TX

Aim for roughly 330 miles and 6.1 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 145 miles from Port Arthur, TX.

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

Plan about 3 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on US 69 for about 150.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 329.8 mi from Port Arthur, TX · 6h 18m into the drive

First major stop

Coffee and fuel

Dallas, TX

218 mi into the route

Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch

This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.

Popular next leg

Dallas, TX to Denton, TX

38 mi · 46m

city in Denton County, Texas, United States

Second major stop

Overnight candidate

Denton, TX

435 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 Denton, TX

Overnight Options

Night 1

Dallas, TX

330 mi · about 6.1h in

A practical overnight split lands near Dallas, TX after about 330 miles or 6.1 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Houston, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 145 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Keller, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 329.8 miles from Port Arthur, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 69 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 150.1 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 330 miles or 6.1 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 659.6

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 659.6

View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$99.67 one way

$199.33 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 231 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.20	$109.09	$218.19
premium	$4.54	$117.77	$235.53
diesel	$5.61	$145.63	$291.26

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$100

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$230–$340

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 230.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $69 in charging · 2 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	197.9	2	$69.26	$31.66
Efficient EV	164.9	1	$57.71	$26.38
EV Truck/SUV	263.8	3	$92.34	$42.21

Gas CO2

231 kg

EV CO2

77 kg (67% less)

Plan for 2 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.

Forecast data refreshed 5 days ago

Origin

Port Arthur, TX

Evening in Port Arthur on Tuesday

Local time

8:52 PM

CDT

Current temp

70°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Amarillo, TX

Evening in Amarillo on Tuesday

Local time

8:52 PM

CDT

Current temp

46°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

69°F

Denton, TX

435 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

24 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

12h 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 Port Arthur, TX to Amarillo, TX covers 659.6 miles and takes about 12h 12m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are US 69, US 81, US Highway 175 West. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

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 330 miles on day one.

The midpoint is about 329.8 miles from Port Arthur, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $99.67 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 3 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Between Port Arthur, TX and Amarillo, TX, road signs point toward Waco, Denton and Dfw Airport.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Explore more options from Port Arthur, TX or browse trips ending in Amarillo, TX.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.

Explore maps for Port Arthur, TX or Amarillo, TX on MapSof.net.

Trip from Port Arthur, TX to Amarillo, TX

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

Port Arthur, TX

Amarillo, TX

Same local time

24 degrees cooler at arrival

12h 12m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

Was this route helpful?

Explore More

Continue From Amarillo, TX

More from Port Arthur, TX

More trips to Amarillo, TX