Origin
Richmond, TX
Afternoon in Richmond on Thursday
Local time
12:53 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Richmond, TX to Amarillo, TX
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
10h 54m
Distance
603.7 mi
972 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$91
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
10h 45m
★
6 AM
10h 55m
8 AM
11h 15m
10 AM
11h 2m
12 PM
11h 0m
3 PM
11h 3m
5 PM
11h 14m
8 PM
10h 49m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Richmond, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Amarillo, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Embarking on a road trip from Richmond, TX to Amarillo, TX covers a substantial 603.7 miles, estimated to take around 10 hours and 54 minutes of pure driving time. Given this duration, it's strongly recommended to split this journey over two days, allowing for a more relaxed pace and safer travel. The route primarily utilizes US 81 and US Highway 287, with a portion on TX 6, making for an 80% highway experience. Budget approximately $91 for fuel, and plan for around three stops to break up the drive. This is a long-distance trek through the heart of Texas, transitioning within the Great Plains region.
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
301.8 miles from Richmond, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 5h 31m into the drive .
Drive Character
This drive is largely a highway-focused experience, with 80% of the journey on major roads like US 81 and US Highway 287. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 103.4 miles on US 81, which can be a good opportunity to settle into a rhythm. While not a winding, scenic byway, the character of the drive is one of consistent forward motion across the Texas landscape. Expect a steady pace as you make your way north.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 57 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 30.5 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 27 significant decision points across 603.7 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 30.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 51.1 miles (TX 6): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 27 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
30.5 mi into trip
|
~39m in
Take the exit toward US 290 West, US 290 East: Austin, Houston
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 290 West, US 290 East: Austin, Housto...
7
30.8 mi into trip
|
~40m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 290 West: Austin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward US 290 West: Austin
7
51.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 4m in
|
TX 6
Take the exit onto TX 6 toward College Station, Bryan
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward College Station, Bryan
7
51.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 5m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
381.8 mi into trip
|
~6h 56m 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 Richmond, TX and Amarillo, TX, road signs point toward Houston, College Station and Bryan.
Houston
30.5 mi in
|
~39m
College Station
51.1 mi in
|
~1h 4m
|
via TX 6
Bryan
51.1 mi in
|
~1h 4m
|
via TX 6
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 81 | 103.4 mi | 1h 49m |
| US Highway 287 | 75.4 mi | 1h 17m |
| TX 6 | 69 mi | 1h 15m |
| I 35W | 51.5 mi | 54m |
| North State Highway 6 | 43.3 mi | 43m |
| US Highway 287 East | 40.5 mi | 42m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 31.5 mi | 31m |
| East 11th Street | 28.7 mi | 32m |
Longest stretch:
US 81
— 103.4 mi, about 1h 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Richmond, TX and Amarillo, TX.
1
Start on US 90 Alt
68 ft
·
3 sec
·
Jackson Street
2
Turn slight right onto US 90 Alt
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
·
US 90 Alt
3
Continue on US 90 Alt
0.7 mi
·
59 sec
·
East US Highway 90A
4
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
58 sec
5
Turn left onto FM 359
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
FM 359
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
Continue on Mason Road
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Mason Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
Turn left onto TX 99
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
West Grand Parkway South Frontage Road
Use the left lane.
8
Take the ramp onto TX 99
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
TX 99
Toward TX 99 North
9
Merge onto TX 99
23 mi
·
26 min
·
West Grand Parkway South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward US 290 West, US 290 East: Austin, Houston
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 290 West: Austin
Use the slight left lane.
12
Merge onto US 290; TX 6
19 mi
·
22 min
·
Northwest Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit onto TX 6
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
TX 6
Toward College Station, Bryan
Use the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn right
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Continue on TX 6
11 mi
·
12 min
·
TX 6
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Turn straight onto TX 6
58 mi
·
1 hr 1 min
·
TX 6
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 6
5.8 mi
·
5 min
·
North State Highway 6
19
Continue on TX 6
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
South Main Street
20
Continue on TX 6
37 mi
·
37 min
·
North State Highway 6
21
Continue on TX 6
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
South Memorial Street
22
Continue on TX 6
9.1 mi
·
9 min
·
East State Highway 6
23
Take the exit onto TX 6
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
TX 6
24
Turn right onto Loop 340
4.9 mi
·
6 min
·
East Loop 340
25
Take the exit
354 ft
·
10 sec
26
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
Toward I 35 North
27
Merge onto I 35; US 77
31 mi
·
31 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
52 mi
·
54 min
·
I 35W
Toward I 35W: Fort Worth
Use the slight left lane.
29
Take the exit onto I 35W TEXpress
8.9 mi
·
8 min
·
I 35W TEXpress
Toward I 35W Express North: I 35W TEXpress North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 81 North, US 287 North: Decatur
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Merge onto US 81; US 287
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
US 81; US 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Continue on US 81; US 287
102 mi
·
1 hr 47 min
·
US 81; US 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Continue on US 281; US 287
0.8 mi
·
58 sec
·
Lloyd Ruby Overpass
34
Continue on US 277; US 281; US 287
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Central Freeway
Use the straight lane.
35
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.
36
Continue on US 287
40 mi
·
42 min
·
US Highway 287 East
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
37
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.
38
Continue on US 287
26 mi
·
26 min
·
US Highway 287 West
Use the straight lane.
39
Continue on US 287
29 mi
·
32 min
·
East 11th Street
40
Continue on US 287
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Avenue F Northeast
41
Continue on US 287
14 mi
·
14 min
·
US Highway 287
42
Continue on US 287
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Burnett Street
43
Continue on US 287
14 mi
·
13 min
·
US Highway 287
44
Turn straight onto US 287
26 mi
·
28 min
·
Boykin Drive
45
Continue on US 287
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East 2nd Street
46
Continue on US 287
28 mi
·
28 min
·
US Highway 287
47
Continue on US 287; FM 1151
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
East 1st Street
48
Continue on US 287
20 mi
·
20 min
·
US Highway 287
49
Keep slight right at fork onto East Interstate Drive
329 ft
·
8 sec
·
East Interstate Drive
Toward East 3rd Avenue
50
Keep slight right at fork onto Southeast 3rd Avenue
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Southeast 3rd Avenue
51
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
52
Merge onto Loop 335
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
North Lakeside Drive
53
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
Toward US 60, I 40 Business: Amarillo Boulevard
54
Turn left onto I 40 Business; US Historic 66; US 60
4.4 mi
·
5 min
·
East Amarillo Boulevard
55
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
56
Continue on I 40 Business
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
East Amarillo Boulevard
57
Arrive at destination
I 40 Business; Original US Route 66; US 60
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 603.7-mile trip, departing early in the morning is advisable, especially if you plan to cover significant ground on your first day. With a total duration of nearly 11 hours, splitting the drive into two days is the most practical approach. Aim to complete roughly half the distance on day one, utilizing your planned stops for fuel and rest. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, particularly during the longest stretch of 103.4 miles on US 81, where services might be more spaced out. This long-distance drive offers ample opportunity to cover ground efficiently.
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 301.8 miles from Richmond, TX, or about 5h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 103.4 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 133 miles or 2h 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 301.8 miles or 5h 31m 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 301.8 miles or 5h 31m
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 9h 49m
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 Richmond, 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 Richmond, TX
Aim for roughly 302 miles and 5.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Amarillo, TX
Aim for roughly 302 miles and 5.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 133 miles from Richmond, 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 81 for about 103.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 301.8 mi from Richmond, TX · 5h 31m into the drive
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
199 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.
Second major stop
Overnight candidate
398 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 Wichita Falls, TXOvernight Options
Night 1
302 mi · about 5.5h in
A practical overnight split lands near Keller, TX after about 302 miles or 5.5 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 133 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 301.8 miles from Richmond, 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.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 302 miles or 5.5 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$91.22 one way
$182.44 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
211 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $99.85 | $199.70 |
| premium | $4.54 | $107.79 | $215.57 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $133.29 | $266.58 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$91
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$221–$331
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 211.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $63 in charging · 2 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 181.1 | 2 | $63.39 | $28.98 |
| Efficient EV | 150.9 | 1 | $52.82 | $24.15 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 241.5 | 3 | $84.52 | $38.64 |
Gas CO2
211 kg
EV CO2
71 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Amarillo, TX
Afternoon in Amarillo on Thursday
Local time
12:53 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.
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
7 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
10h 54m 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 Richmond, TX to Amarillo, TX covers 603.7 miles and takes about 10h 54m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 81, US Highway 287, TX 6. 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 302 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 301.8 miles from Richmond, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $91.22 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 27 significant decision points across 603.7 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 30.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 51.1 miles (TX 6): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Richmond, TX and Amarillo, TX, road signs point toward Houston, College Station and Bryan.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Amarillo, TX
More trips to Amarillo, TX
Explore more options from Richmond, TX or browse trips ending in Amarillo, TX.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.
Explore maps for Richmond, TX or Amarillo, TX on MapSof.net.