The Ultimate Guide to Driving from Amarillo, Texas to Austin, Texas

Are you planning a road trip from Amarillo, Texas to Austin, Texas but wondering about the time it takes to drive between these two great Texas cities? Well, you've come to the right place! In this post, I'll share with you the different routes you can take, the distance of each route, and the estimated time it takes to get to Austin based on traffic patterns.

Fastest and Slowest Routes

The fastest route from Amarillo to Austin is via I-27 South and I-35 South. This route is approximately 495 miles and should take you around 7 hours and 45 minutes to complete. However, keep in mind that the road conditions in some parts of this route might be poor due to road construction or maintenance work.

Alternatively, the slowest but most scenic route is via US-287 South. This route is approximately 610 miles and should take you around 10 hours to complete. You'll get to see some charming towns along your way, and the landscape will change frequently, so it won't feel like a long drive at all.

Traffic Patterns

Now, let's talk about the estimated time it takes to get to Austin based on traffic patterns. If you leave Amarillo early in the morning, say around 6:00 a.m., you're likely to get to Austin in 7 hours if you take the fastest route. On the other hand, if you leave Amarillo during rush hour, say around 8:00 a.m., you're likely to encounter some traffic along the way, and it might take you up to 9 hours to get to Austin. Similarly, if you leave Amarillo during the evening rush hour, say around 5:00 p.m., you're also likely to encounter some traffic and take up to 9 hours to get to Austin.

Low Traffic and Peak Traffic Times

For the US-287 South route, if you leave Amarillo early in the morning, say around 6:00 a.m., you're likely to get to Austin in 9 hours since this route takes longer. On the other hand, if you leave Amarillo during rush hour, say around 8:00 a.m., you're likely to encounter some traffic along the way and take up to 12 hours to get to Austin. Similarly, if you leave Amarillo during the evening rush hour, say around 5:00 p.m., you're also likely to encounter some traffic and take up to 12 hours to get to Austin.

In summary, the best time to drive from Amarillo, Texas to Austin, Texas is early in the morning when there's less traffic. The fastest route is via I-27 South and I-35 South, which takes approximately 7 hours and 45 minutes. The slowest but most scenic route is via US-287 South, which takes approximately 10 hours. So, choose the route that will best suit your travel needs and preferences and have a safe and enjoyable drive!