How far is Amarillo, TX from Waco, TX?
The driving distance from Amarillo, TX to Waco, TX is about 426.4 miles (686.2 km), with a travel time of about 07h 38m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 370.6 miles (596.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 15h 17m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 07h 38m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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 Wichita County, Texas, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Areas Of Fog
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Amarillo and Waco.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Amarillo and Waco.
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1
Start on East Amarillo Boulevard
5.1 mi · 6 min · East Amarillo Boulevard
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2
Turn right
59 m · 5 sec
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3
Take the ramp slight left
1350 ft · 37 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto North Lakeside Drive
1.9 mi · 2 min · North Lakeside Drive
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5
Turn left onto East Interstate Drive
718 ft · 16 sec · East Interstate Drive
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6
Take the ramp slight left
858 ft · 21 sec
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7
Merge slight left
2.2 mi · 3 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward US 287 South: Fort Worth
77.2 mi · 1 hr 22 min
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9
Turn slight right onto US Highway 287
13.6 mi · 14 min · US Highway 287
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10
Continue on Burnett Street
1.1 km · 59 sec · Burnett Street
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11
Continue on US Highway 287
13.8 mi · 15 min · US Highway 287
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12
Continue on Avenue F Northwest
2.8 mi · 3 min · Avenue F Northwest
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13
Continue on US Highway 287
54.4 mi · 59 min · US Highway 287
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14
Continue on Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Highway
4.1 mi · 4 min · Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Highway
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15
Continue on US Highway 287 East
40.5 mi · 43 min · US Highway 287 East
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16
Continue on Northwest Freeway
4.6 mi · 5 min · Northwest Freeway
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17
Keep slight right to continue on Northwest Freeway
2984 ft · 42 sec · Northwest Freeway
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18
Merge slight left onto Central Freeway
2.5 mi · 3 min · Central Freeway
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19
Continue on Lloyd Ruby Overpass
1.4 km · 1 min · Lloyd Ruby Overpass
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20
Continue on Central East Freeway
1.4 km · 1 min · Central East Freeway
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21
Keep slight right to continue on Central East Freeway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Central East Freeway
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22
Keep slight right to continue on Central East Freeway
96.6 mi · 1 hr 44 min · Central East Freeway
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23
Continue straight
4.6 mi · 5 min
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24
Merge slight left onto North Freeway
4.5 mi · 5 min · North Freeway
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25
Take the exit slight left toward I 35W Express Toll South
2952 ft · 33 sec
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26
Merge slight left onto I 35W TEXpress
4 mi · 4 min · I 35W TEXpress
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27
Merge slight right onto North South Freeway
84.3 mi · 1 hr 28 min · North South Freeway
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28
Take the exit slight right toward US 84: Waco Drive, Bellmead Drive
1531 ft · 37 sec
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29
Continue on North Jack Kultgen Expressway
801 ft · 18 sec · North Jack Kultgen Expressway
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30
Turn right onto East Waco Drive
3.3 mi · 7 min · East Waco Drive
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31
Continue on West Waco Drive
34 m · 8 sec · West Waco Drive
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32
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Waco Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Amarillo and Waco.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Central East Freeway
Keep slight right to continue on Central East Freeway
96.6 mi · 01h 44m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Areas Of Fog leaving Amarillo and Mostly Sunny near Waco.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Amarillo to Waco?
The road trip is about 426.4 miles (686.2 km) and usually takes 07h 38m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Iowa Park is a useful midpoint, sitting about 213.1 miles from Amarillo and 213.3 miles from Waco.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 370.6 miles (596.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 55.8 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 7:30 AM CDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $57.78 one way or $115.55 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 133.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Areas Of Fog around Amarillo and Mostly Sunny near Waco.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Amarillo and Waco. Straight-line distance: 370.63 mi (596.47 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 Waco
The 11th most populous city in Texas.
| Population | 141,377 |
| Coordinates | 31.5493300, -97.1466700 |
| Altitude | 143 |
| Country | United States |
End: Waco (-97.14667, 31.54933)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 686 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 14h 12m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 10h 39m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 08h 31m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 07h 06m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 06h 05m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 05h 19m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.84 | $57.78 | $115.55 |
| Mid-grade | $4.35 | $65.42 | $130.84 |
| Premium | $4.72 | $71.08 | $142.16 |
| Diesel | $5.78 | $86.93 | $173.86 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Texas · Oct 15, 2026