Traveling from Arkadelphia to Paragould covers 219.6 miles across Arkansas, typically requiring about 3 hours and 59 minutes of driving time. Because this journey is focused on efficiency, you can easily complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via I-30, I-57, and US-412 to reach your destination. Budgeting approximately $30 for fuel should cover your transit costs comfortably. Since both cities are located within the Southeast region, you will experience a consistent regional feel throughout the drive. This itinerary is an ideal choice if you prefer a straightforward, highway-focused trip that prioritizes speed and reliability over winding backroads.
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
109.8 miles from Arkadelphia, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 58m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
122.8 mi
2h 7m
I 30
64.6 mi
1h 8m
US 412
24.5 mi
30m
North 10th Street
3.8 mi
5m
US 67
1.6 mi
2m
Valley Street
0.7 mi
1m
West Court Street
0.4 mi
<1m
West Hunt Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 122.8 mi, about 2h 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arkadelphia, AR and Paragould, 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
94 mi·1 hr 38 min·I 57; US 64; US 167
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 412
0.5 mi·1 min·US 412
Toward US 412: Paragould, Walnut Ridge
12
Turn right onto US 412
24 mi·28 min·US 412
13
Turn left onto US 49Y
0.4 mi·37 sec·West Court Street
14
Turn left onto US 49; AR 1
0.2 mi·25 sec·US 49; AR 1
15
Turn right onto West Hunt Street
251 ft·10 sec·West Hunt Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Turn left onto North 14th Street
51 ft·1 sec·North 14th Street
17
Turn right onto West Hunt Street
0.2 mi·32 sec·West Hunt Street
18
Turn right onto Hayes Place
237 ft·15 sec·Hayes Place
19
Turn left onto Winchester
0.2 mi·42 sec·Winchester
20
Arrive at destination
Winchester
Trip Plan
To keep your trip on schedule, plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and refuel during the four-hour journey. Leaving early in the morning is your best bet to avoid potential traffic fluctuations on the busier interstate sections. Since you are spending nearly the entire time on highways, ensure your vehicle is prepped for sustained speeds before you depart. Consider timing your stop near the transition between I-57 and US-412 to break up the drive effectively. Keep your gas budget of $30 handy, but always monitor fuel levels during your longest stretch to ensure you maintain a comfortable buffer.
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 109.8 miles from Arkadelphia, AR, or about 1h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 122.8 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 48 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 109.8 miles or 1h 58m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Paragould, 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 219.6 miles and 3h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 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 122.8 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 69.5 and 219.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
6
194 mi into trip|~3h 26m in|US 412
Keep slight right at fork onto US 412 toward US 412: Paragould, Walnut Ridge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 412: Paragould, Walnut Ridge
6
219.1 mi into trip|~3h 57m in|West Hunt Street
Turn right onto West Hunt Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
219.4 mi into trip|~3h 58m in|Hayes Place
Turn right onto Hayes Place
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.16 one way
$66.33 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg77 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$36.41
$72.81
premium
$4.56
$39.42
$78.83
diesel
$5.61
$48.48
$96.97
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
65.9
0
$23.06
$10.54
Efficient EV
54.9
0
$19.22
$8.78
EV Truck/SUV
87.8
1
$30.74
$14.05
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Night
in Arkadelphia on Saturday
Local time
11:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Paragould, AR
Night
in Paragould on Saturday
Local time
11:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
77°F
Jacksonville, AR
110 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 59m 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...
16 mi from route
~39 min detour
Free
near mile 22.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highly efficient transit experience, as 97 percent of this route consists of highway driving. You will spend a significant portion of your time on the interstate, including a longest uninterrupted stretch of 122.8 miles on I-57. The path maintains a fast, consistent pace, minimizing the need for frequent speed adjustments. While the transition between major thoroughfares keeps the drive focused, the sheer volume of highway miles means you should prepare for a steady, monotonous pace behind the wheel. It is a pragmatic route designed to get you from point A to point B with minimal complexity.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 122.8 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and I 30. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 69.5 miles in near US 67; US 167.
Driving Effort5/10
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 219.6 miles you will encounter 14 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 69.5 miles (US 67; US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 71.1 miles (I 57; US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 194 miles (US 412): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
466 ft224 ft
Total Climb
345 ft
Total Descent
294 ft
Highest Point
466 ft
~47.1 mi in
Elevation Range
243 ft
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 Paragould, AR, road signs point toward Memphis, Saint Louis and Walnut Ridge.
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
Walnut Ridge
194 mi in|~3h 26m|via US 412
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 59m. Total distance: 219.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 122.8 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 69.5 miles (US 67; US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 71.1 miles (I 57; US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 194 miles (US 412): 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 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Paragould, AR, but most travelers stay overnight.
