Road-Tripping from Amarillo, Texas to Broken Bow, Oklahoma

Looking for a road-trip adventure that’ll take you from the Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo, Texas, to the scenic beauty of the Beavers Bend State Park in Broken Bow, Oklahoma? Great news: it’s only a 5-hour drive away.

Here are some different routes you can take, how far they are, and how long each one is likely to take.

Route 1: The Quickest Route (306 miles, 4 hours and 45 minutes)

The quickest route involves taking I-40 eastbound towards Oklahoma City, and then heading north on US-69/US-75 towards Atoka. At Atoka, turn east on State Highway 3 and follow the signs to Broken Bow. This route is a fast and convenient way to get you to your destination, but note that it's quite a dull drive with few interesting places to stop and take a break.

Route 2: The Scenic Route (342 miles, 5 hours)

This route takes you from Amarillo to Oklahoma City, before heading southeast via State Highway 9 through the lovely Arbuckle Mountains. This route takes longer, but it is an excellent option for anyone who likes to stop and look at the sights. Among the top attractions are Turner Falls, the Chickasaw National Recreation Area, and the dreamy Lake Murray State Park.

Route 3: The Delicious Route (303 miles, 5 hours)

This route follows I-40 east from Amarillo to Elk City, where you'll hop north on US-283 and head straight for Clinton. From there, take US-183 to Cheyenne, and travel east on State Highway 33 towards Perkins. Enjoy the lovely vistas of Greenleaf State Park, or explore the charming small towns of Leedey, Weatherford, and Hennessey along the way.

Route 4: The Wild West Route (328 miles, 5 hours and 30 minutes)

Starting at Amarillo, you'll head east on I-40 and follow it south through Weatherford. From there, take State Highway 54 southeast and explore Main Street of Elk City and the Deadwood Reservoir. This route will take you through charming towns like Western Heritage Museum and sleepy young cities like the Red Rock Canyon State Park.

No matter which route you take, try to stop at some of the interesting places along the way. Each of these routes offers plenty of opportunities to stretch your legs and explore a bit.

Happy road tripping!