Spanning 195.4 miles, this trip from Arkadelphia to Jonesboro is a straightforward journey across Arkansas. You can expect to spend about 3 hours and 31 minutes behind the wheel, making it a very manageable day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. Your travel budget should account for roughly $30 in fuel costs to complete the drive. The route primarily utilizes I-30 and I-57, keeping you within the Southeast region for the duration of the trip. Because the drive is efficient and focused on major arteries, it is an ideal choice for travelers looking to get from point A to point B without unnecessary detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
97.7 miles from Arkadelphia, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 46m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
102.7 mi
1h 46m
I 30
64.6 mi
1h 8m
US 78
12.1 mi
13m
Southwest Drive
7.4 mi
9m
North 10th Street
3.8 mi
5m
US 67
1.6 mi
2m
South Main Street
1.4 mi
2m
Valley Street
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 102.7 mi, about 1h 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arkadelphia, AR and Jonesboro, AR.
1
Start on US 67; AR 7; AR 8; AR 51
0.2 mi·21 sec·Caddo Street
2
Turn right onto US 67; AR 7; AR 8; AR 51
3.8 mi·5 min·North 10th Street
3
Continue on US 67; AR 7
0.7 mi·1 min·Valley Street
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
5
Merge onto I 30
60 mi·1 hr 2 min·I 30
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30; US 67
0.7 mi·49 sec·I 30; US 67
7
Continue on I 30; US 65; US 67; US 167
4.2 mi·5 min·I 30; US 65; US 67; US 167
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 67; US 167
1.6 mi·2 min·US 67; US 167
Exit 143BToward I 40 East, US 67 North, US 167 North: Jacksonville, Memphis
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57; US 167
28 mi·29 min·I 57; US 167
Toward Saint LouisUse the slight left lane.
10
Continue on I 57; US 64; US 167
74 mi·1 hr 16 min·I 57; US 64; US 167
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward AR 226: Jonesboro
12
Keep slight right at fork
346 ft·8 sec
13
Merge onto US 78; AR 226
12 mi·13 min·US 78; AR 226
14
Continue on US 49; US 63; US 78
7.4 mi·9 min·Southwest Drive
15
Continue on South Main Street
1.4 mi·2 min·South Main Street
16
Turn right onto Cate Avenue
207 ft·14 sec·Cate Avenue
17
Turn left
75 ft·5 sec
18
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility with your departure time to avoid peak traffic hours. You only need to plan for one major stop, which helps keep your total travel time close to the 3-hour and 31-minute estimate. Before heading out, ensure your vehicle is fueled up, as the $30 cost is a reliable baseline for the 195.4-mile distance. If you are prone to fatigue, use your single stop around the midpoint to stretch your legs after the long 102.7-mile stretch on I-57. Checking your tire pressure before departure is a smart move given the high percentage of sustained interstate driving you will encounter.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 97.7 miles from Arkadelphia, AR, or about 1h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 102.7 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 43 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 97.7 miles or 1h 46m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jonesboro, AR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Arkadelphia, AR so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Arkadelphia, AR
This is one driving day of about 195.4 miles and 3h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from Arkadelphia, AR.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 57 for about 102.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 173.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|US 67; AR 7; AR 8; AR 51 / North 10th Street
Turn right onto US 67; AR 7; AR 8; AR 51 / North 10th Street
Navigation decision point
4
64.6 mi into trip|~1h 10m in|I 30; US 67
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30; US 67
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
7
69.5 mi into trip|~1h 16m in|US 67; US 167
Keep slight right at fork onto US 67; US 167 toward I 40 East, US 67 North, US 167 North: Jacksonville, Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 143B
Toward I 40 East, US 67 North, US 167 North: Ja...
7
71.1 mi into trip|~1h 18m in|I 57; US 167
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57; US 167 toward Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward Saint Louis
4
173.8 mi into trip|~3h 4m in
Take the exit toward AR 226: Jonesboro
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward AR 226: Jonesboro
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.51 one way
$59.02 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg68 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$32.39
$64.79
premium
$4.56
$35.07
$70.14
diesel
$5.61
$43.14
$86.28
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 68.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
58.6
0
$20.52
$9.38
Efficient EV
48.9
0
$17.10
$7.82
EV Truck/SUV
78.2
0
$27.36
$12.51
Gas CO2
68 kg
EV CO2
23 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Arkadelphia, AR
Late night
in Arkadelphia on Sunday
Local time
2:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Jonesboro, AR
Late night
in Jonesboro on Sunday
Local time
2:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
77°F
Jacksonville, AR
98 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
2 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 31m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Hot Springs National Park
National Park
Hot Springs National Park has a rich cultural past. The grand architecture of our historic bathhouses is equally matched by the natural curiosities that have been drawing people here for hundreds of y...
15 mi from route
~39 min detour
Free
near mile 20.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 93% of your time will be spent cruising on major roads. The terrain feels consistent, with the longest uninterrupted stretch covering 102.7 miles on I-57, allowing you to settle into a steady rhythm. While the route relies heavily on high-speed interstate travel, the transition between highways requires you to stay alert for merging traffic. The road’s personality is defined by its efficiency rather than technical curves, so plan for a straightforward, high-speed transit. You will spend the vast majority of your commute on wide, multi-lane highways that prioritize speed over scenic winding.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 102.7 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and I 30. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near US 67; AR 7; AR 8; AR 51 / North 10th Street.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 195.4 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (US 67; AR 7; AR 8; AR 51 / North 10th Street): Navigation decision point; at 64.6 miles (I 30; US 67): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 69.5 miles (US 67; US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Arkadelphia, AR and Jonesboro, AR, road signs point toward Memphis and Saint Louis.
Memphis
69.5 mi in|~1h 16m|via US 67; US 167
Saint Louis
71.1 mi in|~1h 18m|via I 57; US 167
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 31m. Total distance: 195.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 102.7 miles on I 57. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Jonesboro, AR before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (US 67; AR 7; AR 8; AR 51 / North 10th Street): Navigation decision point; at 64.6 miles (I 30; US 67): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 69.5 miles (US 67; US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Hot Springs National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Jonesboro, AR, but most travelers stay overnight.
