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Trip from Richardson, TX to Amarillo, TX

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 33m

Distance

362.5 mi

583 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$55

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
6h 21m ★
6 AM
6h 33m
8 AM
6h 58m
10 AM
6h 42m
12 PM
6h 40m
3 PM
6h 43m
5 PM
6h 57m
8 PM
6h 26m

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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city in Collin and Dallas counties in Texas, United States

Richardson, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Amarillo, TX, TX

Amarillo, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 362.5-mile drive from Richardson, Texas, to Amarillo, Texas, is a straightforward journey that can comfortably be completed in a single day, taking approximately 6 hours and 33 minutes. The route primarily utilizes US Highway 287 and its variants, accounting for 78% of the total mileage, making it a highway-focused experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $55, this trip through the Great Plains region offers a practical and efficient way to travel between these two Texas cities. You'll find the drive to be direct, with just one recommended stop, and the longest stretch without a turn is over 75 miles.

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

181.3 miles from Richardson, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 17m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 33m. Total distance: 362.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 33m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 362.5-mile trip, with US Highway 287 serving as your main companion. Around 78% of the journey will be on this well-traveled road, offering a consistent pace. The longest uninterrupted segment you'll encounter is a substantial 75.4 miles on US Highway 287, allowing for extended periods of steady driving. While the landscape of the Great Plains is consistent, this route prioritizes efficiency over varied terrain, providing a predictable driving experience.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 44 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US Highway 287 is the longest continuous segment at about 75.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 287 and North US Highway 287. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.4 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 19 significant decision points across 362.5 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 2.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 19 key points

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

7
2.4 mi into trip | ~4m in

Take the exit toward I 635

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes. Exit 21 Toward I 635
7
2.6 mi into trip | ~4m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 635 West

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 635 West
7
10.5 mi into trip | ~13m in

Take the exit toward I 35E North: Denton

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Exit 27B Toward I 35E North: Denton
6
39.2 mi into trip | ~44m in

Take the exit toward US 380: University Drive

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 469 Toward US 380: University Drive
9
140.6 mi into trip | ~2h 35m 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

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US Highway 287 75.4 mi 1h 17m
North US Highway 287 72.5 mi 1h 15m
US Highway 287 East 40.5 mi 42m
East 11th Street 28.7 mi 32m
North Stemmons Freeway 28.2 mi 30m
Boykin Drive 26.2 mi 28m
US Highway 287 West 25.7 mi 26m
US Highway 380 West 21.5 mi 24m
Longest stretch: US Highway 287 — 75.4 mi, about 1h 17m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on this road

99 ft · 13 sec · this road
2

Turn left onto East Main Street

0.2 mi · 32 sec · East Main Street
3

Continue on West Main Street

0.2 mi · 39 sec · West Main Street
4

Turn left onto South Central Expressway

0.7 mi · 1 min · South Central Expressway
Use the straight / left lanes.
5

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 26 sec
Toward US 75 South
6

Merge onto US 75

1.1 mi · 1 min · South Central Expressway
7

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 32 sec
Exit 21 Toward I 635 Use the straight / right lanes.
8

Keep slight right at fork

0.9 mi · 55 sec
Toward I 635 West Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
9

Merge onto I 635

2.4 mi · 2 min · Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Continue on I 635

4.6 mi · 4 min · Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Exit 27B Toward I 35E North: Denton Use the right lane.
12

Merge onto I 35E

28 mi · 30 min · North Stemmons Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Continue on I 35; US 77

0.1 mi · 9 sec · I 35; US 77
14

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 16 sec
Exit 469 Toward US 380: University Drive
15

Turn straight onto North Interstate 35

0.4 mi · 47 sec · North Interstate 35
16

Turn left onto US 380

3.4 mi · 4 min · West University Drive
Use the straight / left lanes.
17

Continue on US 380

22 mi · 24 min · US Highway 380 West
18

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 39 sec
19

Merge onto US 81; US 287

72 mi · 1 hr 15 min · North US Highway 287
20

Continue on US 281; US 287

0.8 mi · 58 sec · Lloyd Ruby Overpass
21

Continue on US 277; US 281; US 287

2.4 mi · 3 min · Central Freeway
Use the straight lane.
22

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.
23

Continue on US 287

40 mi · 42 min · US Highway 287 East
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
24

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.
25

Continue on US 287

26 mi · 26 min · US Highway 287 West
Use the straight lane.
26

Continue on US 287

29 mi · 32 min · East 11th Street
27

Continue on US 287

2.8 mi · 3 min · Avenue F Northeast
28

Continue on US 287

14 mi · 14 min · US Highway 287
29

Continue on US 287

0.7 mi · 1 min · Burnett Street
30

Continue on US 287

14 mi · 13 min · US Highway 287
31

Turn straight onto US 287

26 mi · 28 min · Boykin Drive
32

Continue on US 287

1.6 mi · 1 min · East 2nd Street
33

Continue on US 287

28 mi · 28 min · US Highway 287
34

Continue on US 287; FM 1151

1.1 mi · 2 min · East 1st Street
35

Continue on US 287

20 mi · 20 min · US Highway 287
36

Keep slight right at fork onto East Interstate Drive

329 ft · 8 sec · East Interstate Drive
Toward East 3rd Avenue
37

Keep slight right at fork onto Southeast 3rd Avenue

2.6 mi · 3 min · Southeast 3rd Avenue
38

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 26 sec
39

Merge onto Loop 335

1.3 mi · 1 min · North Lakeside Drive
40

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 46 sec
Toward US 60, I 40 Business: Amarillo Boulevard
41

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

4.4 mi · 5 min · East Amarillo Boulevard
42

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
43

Continue on I 40 Business

0.1 mi · 17 sec · East Amarillo Boulevard
44

Arrive at destination

I 40 Business; Original US Route 66; US 60

Trip Plan

Given the 6-hour, 33-minute duration, starting your 362.5-mile drive from Richardson early in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight and allow for a relaxed arrival in Amarillo. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $55, this trip is well-suited for a single-day adventure. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest stretch of 75.4 miles on US Highway 287, to ensure you have ample gas before reaching Amarillo. Enjoy the straightforward nature of this highway-focused route.

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 181.3 miles from Richardson, TX, or about 3h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 75.4 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 31m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 181.3 miles or 3h 17m 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 28m

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 Richardson, 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 Richardson, TX

This is one driving day of about 362.5 miles and 6h 33m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Richardson, 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 Highway 287 for about 75.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 181.3 mi from Richardson, TX · 3h 17m into the drive

city in and county sear of Wilbarger County, Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Vernon, TX

181 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.

Popular next leg

Vernon, TX to Amarillo, TX

176 mi · 3h 13m

Pacing Suggestions

Jacksboro, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Vernon, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 181.3 miles from Richardson, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US Highway 287 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 75.4 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.

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

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 362.5
View on nps.gov
Lake Meredith National Recreation Area

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 362.5
View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$54.77 one way

$109.55 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 127 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $59.96 $119.91
premium $4.54 $64.72 $129.44
diesel $5.61 $80.04 $160.07

Estimated Tolls: $0.14

Central Expressway (1.8 mi) $0.14

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$55

Tolls

$0

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$80–$105

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 126.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $38 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 108.8 1 $38.06 $17.40
Efficient EV 90.6 1 $31.72 $14.50
EV Truck/SUV 145 1 $50.75 $23.20

Gas CO2

127 kg

EV CO2

42 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 as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Richardson, TX

Morning in Richardson on Friday

Local time

8:02 AM

CDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Amarillo, TX

Morning in Amarillo on Friday

Local time

8:02 AM

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

23 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 33m 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 Richardson, TX to Amarillo, TX covers 362.5 miles and takes about 6h 33m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are US Highway 287, North 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 181.3 miles from Richardson, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $54.77 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 19 significant decision points across 362.5 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 2.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

The route from Richardson, TX to Amarillo, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Yes. Nearby national parks include Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument and Lake Meredith National Recreation Area.

How this page is built

Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. National park proximity is from the NPS API. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.

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