How far is Amarillo, TX from Albuquerque, NM?
The driving distance from Amarillo, TX to Albuquerque, NM is about 288.5 miles (464.3 km), with a travel time of about 04h 57m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 272.4 miles (438.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 55m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 04h 57m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Guadalupe County, New Mexico, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Amarillo and Albuquerque.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Amarillo and Albuquerque.
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1
Start on East Amarillo Boulevard
672 ft · 16 sec · East Amarillo Boulevard
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2
Continue on East Amarillo Boulevard
9.6 mi · 12 min · East Amarillo Boulevard
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3
Take the exit slight left toward I 40: I 40 West
929 ft · 23 sec
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4
Merge slight left
275.5 mi · 4 hr 39 min
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5
Take the exit slight right toward I 25 North, I 25 South: Las Cruces, Santa Fe
1343 ft · 18 sec
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6
Keep slight left to continue on I 25 South: Las Cruces
1.3 km · 2 min
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7
Merge slight left onto Pan American Freeway
3239 ft · 43 sec · Pan American Freeway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward Martin Luther King Junior Avenue, Central Avenue
1093 ft · 27 sec
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9
Turn straight onto Locust Street Northeast
1788 ft · 51 sec · Locust Street Northeast
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10
Turn right onto Central Avenue Northeast
1.3 km · 2 min · Central Avenue Northeast
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11
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue Northwest
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Amarillo and Albuquerque.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 40
Merge slight left
276 mi · 04h 39m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Sunny leaving Amarillo and Mostly Sunny near Albuquerque.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Amarillo to Albuquerque?
The road trip is about 288.5 miles (464.3 km) and usually takes 04h 57m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Santa Rosa is a useful midpoint, sitting about 144 miles from Amarillo and 144.5 miles from Albuquerque.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 272.4 miles (438.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.1 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:04 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.88 one way or $77.75 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 90.5 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Amarillo and Albuquerque, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Amarillo and Mostly Sunny near Albuquerque.
Stop Ideas Near Santa Rosa
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Santa Rosa.
Las Vegas station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Amarillo and Albuquerque. Straight-line distance: 272.42 mi (438.42 km).
#1 Amarillo
The second most populous city in Texas Panhandle.
| Population | 199,654 |
| Coordinates | 35.2220000, -101.8313000 |
| Altitude | 1118 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Albuquerque
The third most populous city in New Mexico and the center of the Albuquerque metropolitan area.
| Population | 562,540 |
| Coordinates | 35.0844900, -106.6511400 |
| Altitude | 1511 |
| Country | United States |
End: Albuquerque (-106.65114, 35.08449)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 464 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 36m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 12m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 46m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 48m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 07m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 35m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.82 | $38.88 | $77.75 |
| Mid-grade | $4.30 | $43.81 | $87.63 |
| Premium | $4.68 | $47.66 | $95.33 |
| Diesel | $5.67 | $57.70 | $115.40 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
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