Summer Road Trips in Arkansas
Routes
30
Avg Distance
352 mi
Avg Drive
6h 24m
Destinations
20
Summer in Arkansas means long days perfect for exploring its 30 routes, averaging 340 miles and close to 6 hours of driving. While many trips feature gently rolling terrain with max elevations around 1,300 feet, the state offers a solid network for summer exploration. You'll find a variety of driving experiences across the Natural State.
Fuel snapshot for this state
Regular
$3.95/gal
Diesel: $6.18/gal
Typical trip cost
$44–$101
One-way, ~352 mi avg @ 25.4 MPG
CO₂ per trip
~123 kg
ICE vehicle, one-way average
Source: US Energy Information Administration • week of 2026-10-12
Climate through the year: Arkansas
Arkansas peaks at around 92°F in Jul and cools to 51°F / 31°F in Jan. Wettest month is Apr at ~5.6 in of rain. Table highlights Summer months.
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Rain in | Snow in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 51 | 31 | 3.5 | 1.1 |
| Feb | 55 | 34 | 4 | 1.6 |
| Mar | 64 | 42 | 5 | 0.5 |
| Apr | 73 | 50 | 5.6 | — |
| May | 81 | 59 | 5.1 | — |
| Jun peak | 88 | 68 | 3.6 | — |
| Jul peak | 92 | 71 | 3.3 | — |
| Aug peak | 92 | 70 | 3.2 | — |
| Sep | 85 | 63 | 3 | — |
| Oct | 74 | 51 | 4.5 | — |
| Nov | 62 | 40 | 4.7 | — |
| Dec | 53 | 33 | 5.1 | 0.6 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Monthly Climate Normals, 1991–2020 reference period. Sampled at the major-airport station for AR — microclimates along specific routes can vary significantly.
Planning Tips
- Carry extra water — summer heat in the car and at rest stops dehydrates faster than you think.
- Start drives early or late to avoid peak afternoon heat, especially through desert or plains stretches.
- Check your tire pressure before long summer drives — hot pavement increases blowout risk with underinflated tires.
Frequently Asked Questions
Summer Routes
Fort Smith, AR → Newport, KY
Through: Walnut Ridge → Henderson → Princeton +3 more
Bentonville, AR → Osceola, AR
Through: Little Rock → Memphis → Saint Louis
Editor's pick
Springdale, AR → Luxora, AR
Through: Little Rock → Memphis → Saint Louis
Another route scoring an 8 for its driving quality, this 369-mile trip also features gently rolling terrain. It's a good option for a significant summer excursion.
Bentonville, AR → Blytheville, AR
Through: Little Rock
Osceola, AR → Fayetteville, AR
New Caledonia, AR → Bella Vista, AR
Through: Fort Smith
Bella Vista, AR → Marion, AR
Through: Little Rock → Memphis
Manila, AR → Bentonville, AR
Through: Conway
New Caledonia, AR → Bentonville, AR
Through: Fort Smith
New Caledonia, AR → Prairie Creek, AR
Through: Fort Smith
West Crossett, AR → Rogers, AR
Through: Fort Smith
Rogers, AR → Crossett, AR
Through: Little Rock → Monticello
Bentonville, AR → North Crossett, AR
Through: Little Rock → Monticello
Bentonville, AR → Lake Village, AR
Through: Little Rock
Caraway, AR → Bentonville, AR
Through: Conway
Bentonville, AR → Monette, AR
Through: Little Rock
Lake Village, AR → Rogers, AR
Through: Fort Smith
Helena-West Helena, AR → Bella Vista, AR
Magnolia, AR → Bella Vista, AR
Eudora, AR → Fayetteville, AR
Through: Fort Smith
Goshen, AR → New Caledonia, AR
Through: Little Rock → Fordyce → El Dorado +1 more
West Memphis, AR → Rogers, AR
Crossett, AR → Springdale, AR
Through: Fort Smith
Bentonville, AR → Trumann, AR
Through: Little Rock
New Caledonia, AR → Tontitown, AR
Through: Little Rock → Fort Smith
Blytheville, AR → Texarkana, AR
Lincoln, AR → New Caledonia, AR
Through: Little Rock → Fordyce → El Dorado +1 more
Dermott, AR → Rogers, AR
Through: Fort Smith
Springdale, AR → Marion, AR
Through: Little Rock → Memphis
Bentonville, AR → Magnolia, AR
Through: Little Rock