Origin
San Benito, TX
Late night in San Benito on Wednesday
Local time
5:35 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from San Benito, TX to Amarillo, TX
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
13h 41m
Distance
761.7 mi
1,226 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$115
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
13h 29m
★
6 AM
13h 42m
8 AM
14h 6m
10 AM
13h 50m
12 PM
13h 48m
3 PM
13h 51m
5 PM
14h 5m
8 PM
13h 34m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
San Benito, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Amarillo, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 761.7-mile journey from San Benito, TX, to Amarillo, TX, will take approximately 13 hours and 41 minutes of driving time. Given its length and duration, this is best experienced as a two-day trip, with multiple stops planned along the way. You'll navigate primarily via US 281 and I-10, with the Marshall Formby Memorial Highway also playing a role. With 67% of the drive on highways, expect a mix of faster travel and potentially some slower sections. The estimated fuel cost for this long-distance drive is around $115. This route crosses the Great Plains region, offering a consistent landscape throughout your travels.
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
380.8 miles from San Benito, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 6h 59m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This route is characterized as a long-distance drive with a significant portion, 67%, spent on highways. You'll encounter stretches where speed is a priority, particularly on I-10. The longest uninterrupted segment you'll face is 122.7 miles on US 281, so be prepared for extended periods of driving without frequent turnoffs. While not explicitly a scenic byway, the drive offers a consistent feel as it traverses the Great Plains. Expect a practical, functional road experience focused on covering distance efficiently.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 56 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 281 is the longest continuous segment at about 122.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
At 13h 41m, this is a long-haul route where pacing matters more than any single turn. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 253.5 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 43 significant decision points across 761.7 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 253.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 255.4 miles (I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 256.3 miles (I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 43 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
253.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 47m in
Take the exit toward Cesar Estrada Chavez Boulevard, Alamodome
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 140B
Toward Cesar Estrada Chavez Boulevard, Alamodom...
8
255.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 51m in
|
I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway
Take the exit onto I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway toward I 10 West, US 87 North: El Paso
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 156
Toward I 10 West, US 87 North: El Paso
6
256.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 52m in
|
I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
270.9 mi into trip
|
~5h 10m in
|
I 10; US 87
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
760 mi into trip
|
~13h 37m 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
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between San Benito, TX and Amarillo, TX, road signs point toward Alamodome, Menard and Lubbock.
Alamodome
253.5 mi in
|
~4h 47m
Menard
369.6 mi in
|
~6h 47m
|
via US 83
Lubbock
523.1 mi in
|
~9h 33m
|
via US 84
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 281 | 122.7 mi | 2h 12m |
| Marshall Formby Memorial Highway | 109.9 mi | 1h 51m |
| I 10 | 98.7 mi | 1h 37m |
| U.S. Highway 77 | 94.7 mi | 1h 45m |
| US 84 | 74.5 mi | 1h 14m |
| Frisco Avenue | 41.9 mi | 44m |
| State Highway 153 | 29.5 mi | 33m |
| North Main Street | 29.3 mi | 30m |
Longest stretch:
US 281
— 122.7 mi, about 2h 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Benito, TX and Amarillo, TX.
1
Start on East Stenger Street
14 ft
·
7 sec
·
East Stenger Street
2
Turn left onto TX 345
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
·
South Sam Houston Boulevard
3
Turn right onto West Expressway 83
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
West Expressway 83
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
5
Merge onto I 69E; US 77; US 83
95 mi
·
1 hr 45 min
·
U.S. Highway 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
8 sec
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
8
Turn left onto FM 772
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
FM 772
9
Turn straight onto US 77 Business
4.4 mi
·
7 min
·
South 6th Street
10
Turn left onto TX 141
14 mi
·
17 min
·
West King Avenue
11
Take the ramp
0.6 mi
·
1 min
12
Merge onto US 281
54 mi
·
1 hr 1 min
·
US 281
13
Keep slight left at fork onto US 281
15 mi
·
18 min
·
Nueces Street
14
Continue on US 281
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
US 281
15
Take the exit onto US 281
68 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
US 281
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 140B
Toward Cesar Estrada Chavez Boulevard, Alamodome
Use the slight right lane.
17
Turn left onto East César E. Chávez Boulevard
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
East César E. Chávez Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
18
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I 10 West, I 35 North
19
Merge onto I 10; I 35; US 87
93 ft
·
1 sec
·
South Pan Am Expressway
20
Take the exit onto I 10; US 87
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
McDermott Freeway
Exit 156
Toward I 10 West, US 87 North: El Paso
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 87
15 mi
·
17 min
·
McDermott Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
99 mi
·
1 hr 37 min
·
I 10; US 87
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
23
Take the exit onto US 83
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
US 83
Exit 456
Toward US 83 North, US 377: Junction, Menard
24
Turn right onto US 83; US 377
29 mi
·
30 min
·
North Main Street
Use the right lane.
25
Continue on US 83
42 mi
·
44 min
·
Frisco Avenue
26
Continue on US 83
17 mi
·
18 min
·
Roberts Avenue
27
Turn right onto US 67; US 83
387 ft
·
18 sec
·
Hutchings Avenue
Use the right lane.
28
Turn left onto TX 158
6.3 mi
·
7 min
·
North Broadway Street
Use the left lane.
29
Turn right onto FM 2111
12 mi
·
13 min
·
FM 2111
30
Turn left onto TX 153
29 mi
·
33 min
·
State Highway 153
31
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 153
19 ft
·
0 sec
·
State Highway 153
32
Turn right onto TX 70
10 mi
·
10 min
·
State Highway 70
33
Continue on TX 70
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Lamar Street
34
Turn left onto Northwest Georgia Avenue
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
Northwest Georgia Avenue
35
Take the ramp
340 ft
·
8 sec
Toward I 20 West: Midland
36
Merge onto I 20; US 84
6.0 mi
·
5 min
·
I 20; US 84
37
Take the exit onto US 84
0.3 mi
·
19 sec
·
US 84
Exit 238A
Toward US 84 West: Snyder, Lubbock
38
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84
74 mi
·
1 hr 14 min
·
US 84
39
Turn right onto Loop 46
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Avenue F
40
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 207
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
North Avenue F
41
Turn straight onto TX 207
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
·
Ralls Road
42
Turn left onto Spur 575
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
East 15th Street
43
Turn right onto US 84
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North US Highway 84
44
Continue on US 84
20 mi
·
19 min
·
Highway 84
45
Continue on US 84
4.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Trooper Jerry Don Davis Memorial Highway
46
Continue on US 84
6.8 mi
·
6 min
·
East Highway 84
47
Continue on US 84
4.5 mi
·
5 min
·
Slaton Road
48
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
49
Turn slight right onto Interstate 27
321 ft
·
6 sec
·
Interstate 27
50
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
51
Merge onto I 27; US 87
110 mi
·
1 hr 51 min
·
Marshall Formby Memorial Highway
52
Continue on I 27; US 60; US 87
13 mi
·
15 min
·
Canyon Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
53
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.
54
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.
55
Turn right onto I 40 Business; Original US Route 66; US 60
105 ft
·
1 sec
·
East Amarillo Boulevard
56
Arrive at destination
I 40 Business; Original US Route 66; US 60
Trip Plan
For this 13-hour, 41-minute drive, splitting it over two days is highly recommended to avoid fatigue. Aim to start your driving days early to maximize daylight and allow for your planned three stops. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the longest stretch without a break is over 120 miles on US 281. Planning your overnight stay roughly halfway, perhaps around the 350-400 mile mark, will make the journey more manageable. Factor in the $115 fuel cost and budget for additional expenses at your stops.
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 380.8 miles from San Benito, TX, or about 6h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 122.7 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 168 miles or 3h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 380.8 miles or 6h 59m 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 380.8 miles or 6h 59m
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 12h 36m
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 San Benito, 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 San Benito, TX
Aim for roughly 381 miles and 6.8 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Amarillo, TX
Aim for roughly 381 miles and 6.8 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 168 miles from San Benito, 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 281 for about 122.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 380.8 mi from San Benito, TX · 6h 59m into the drive
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
251 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
503 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 Sweetwater, TXOvernight Options
Night 1
381 mi · about 6.8h in
A practical overnight split lands near Kerrville, TX after about 381 miles or 6.8 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 168 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 380.8 miles from San Benito, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 281 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 122.7 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 381 miles or 6.8 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
$115.09 one way
$230.19 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
267 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $125.98 | $251.96 |
| premium | $4.54 | $136.00 | $271.99 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $168.17 | $336.35 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$115
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$245–$355
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 266.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $80 in charging · 2 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 228.5 | 2 | $79.98 | $36.56 |
| Efficient EV | 190.4 | 2 | $66.65 | $30.47 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 304.7 | 3 | $106.64 | $48.75 |
Gas CO2
267 kg
EV CO2
89 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.
Destination
Amarillo, TX
Late night in Amarillo on Wednesday
Local time
5:35 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
55°F
Sweetwater, TX
503 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
13h 41m 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 San Benito, TX to Amarillo, TX covers 761.7 miles and takes about 13h 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 281, Marshall Formby Memorial Highway, I 10. 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 381 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 380.8 miles from San Benito, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $115.09 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 43 significant decision points across 761.7 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 253.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 255.4 miles (I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 256.3 miles (I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between San Benito, TX and Amarillo, TX, road signs point toward Alamodome, Menard and Lubbock.
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