Getting Around Amarillo
Amarillo is a car-dependent city, and most visitors find that a private vehicle is the most practical way to reach the full range of attractions, restaurants, and services across the area. That said, there are options for those arriving without a car, and a few pockets of the city are genuinely walkable.
Layout and Orientation
Understanding Amarillo's street grid helps enormously when planning how to move around. In central Amarillo, the north–south avenues are named for U.S. presidents in the order they served, running from Washington just west of downtown through Cleveland to the east. Most of the east–west avenues are numbered, from N 24th through S 58th.
Historic Route 66 crosses the city east to west as Amarillo Boulevard. It passes just north of the airport, downtown, and the medical center, linking US-60 on the east side with I-40 on the west side. Loop 335 has been designated but is not yet developed into a fully limited-access loop as in some other cities; it comprises Soncy Road on the west (near Westgate Mall), St. Francis Avenue on the north, Hollywood Road on the south, and Lakeside Drive on the east (near the airport).
Rail, Metro and Tram
Amarillo has no metro, tram, or light rail network, and there is no local commuter rail service for getting around the city. Visitors should not expect to rely on rail for intra-city travel.
Buses and Public Transport
Local bus service is provided by Amarillo Transit (also referred to as Amarillo City Transit). Routes are limited and operate on weekdays only, and the coverage and flexibility of the system are generally insufficient for comprehensive access to the whole city. If you are planning to depend on the bus, check current routes and schedules in advance and plan your trip around weekday service.
Paratransit options exist but are not well suited to spontaneous visitor travel: ACT-Connect requires certification, and Panhandle Transit requires advance booking.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis are available from multiple companies in Amarillo, and rental cars are widely available for those who want the flexibility of driving themselves. Ride-hailing services are another common option for getting around, particularly for trips that the limited bus network does not conveniently serve.
Walkability
Walkability in Amarillo is limited overall, and the city is best described as car-dependent. Some neighborhoods are more pedestrian-friendly than others, including the ZIP codes 79102, 79101, and 79109. Downtown Amarillo and the Route 66 historic district offer some walkable access to leisure spots, dining, and shopping, making them the most rewarding areas to explore on foot.
Cycling is feasible because the terrain is generally flat, but bike lanes are insufficient and many key roads lack bike infrastructure. Biking is therefore better suited to recreation and park visits than to daily errands or commuting.
Getting from the Airport into the City
Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport (AMA) is the main commercial airport serving the city. It is located approximately 2 miles (3 km) north of I-40 East and approximately 7 miles (11 km) east of downtown Amarillo. The airport is served by American Eagle, United Express, and Southwest Airlines, with non-stop flights to Dallas, Houston, Denver, and Las Vegas.
Tradewind Airport (TDW), approximately 3 miles (5 km) south of downtown, is a general aviation airport rather than a commercial one.
Because Amarillo has no rail link from the airport and only limited weekday bus service, the practical options for reaching the city from the airport are taxis, ride-hailing, or a rental car. Travelers should arrange one of these in advance or on arrival rather than counting on public transit.
Arriving by Car or Bus
If you are driving in, Amarillo sits on Interstate 40 east of Albuquerque, New Mexico and west of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and on Interstate 27 north of Lubbock, Texas. It is also reached via U.S. Highway 60 west-southwest of Pampa, Texas, and U.S. Highway 287 south of Boise City, Oklahoma. The city straddles historic Route 66.
For those arriving by intercity bus, the Greyhound Bus Station is located at 700 S Tyler St.