Origin
Austin, AR
Late night in Austin on Tuesday
Local time
3:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Austin, AR to Hot Springs, AR
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 33m
Distance
80.1 mi
129 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 27m
★
6 AM
1h 34m
8 AM
1h 48m
10 AM
1h 39m
12 PM
1h 37m
3 PM
1h 40m
5 PM
1h 47m
8 PM
1h 30m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Austin, AR
Elsie Soto
Hot Springs, AR
Jimmy Liao
Trip Overview
Austin, AR to Hot Springs, AR is 80.1 miles and takes about 1h 33m via I 30 and I 57, with a fuel budget near $12 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip primarily sticks to major highways, making it a straightforward drive between two points in the Southeast region of Arkansas. You'll be spending almost all your time on interstates, so expect a consistent driving experience. With a travel time under two hours, this route is ideal for a single-day excursion, allowing for plenty of flexibility in your schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
40.1 miles from Austin, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 45m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 30 | 27 mi | 29m |
| US 70 | 24.6 mi | 31m |
| I 57 | 21.6 mi | 22m |
| US 167 | 4.9 mi | 6m |
| I 40 | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| AR 305 | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| AR 367 | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| West Grand Avenue | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
I 30
— 27 mi, about 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Austin, AR and Hot Springs, AR.
1
Start on this road
219 ft
·
17 sec
·
this road
2
At end of road, turn right onto AR 367
82 ft
·
1 sec
·
AR 367
3
Turn left onto AR 305
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
AR 305
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
5
Merge onto I 57; US 167
22 mi
·
22 min
·
I 57; US 167
6
Merge onto I 40; US 167
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
I 40; US 167
7
Take the exit onto US 167
4.9 mi
·
6 min
·
US 167
Toward I 30 West, US 65 South, US 67 South, US 167 South: Little Rock
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 30; US 67
24 mi
·
26 min
·
I 30; US 67
Exit 138
Toward Texarkana
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 30; US 70
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
I 30; US 70
10
Take the exit onto US 70
25 mi
·
31 min
·
US 70
Toward US-70 West: Hot Springs
11
Arrive at destination
US 70B; US 270B
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of about 1 hour and 33 minutes, this is a very flexible trip. You can easily leave in the morning and arrive at your destination with ample time to spare, or depart later in the day. With a fuel cost estimated at $12, you won't need to worry too much about budgeting for gas. Since the longest stretch is 27 miles, you can comfortably complete the journey without needing frequent stops, though there are plenty of services along I 30 should you need them. Consider departing mid-morning to avoid any potential rush hour traffic leaving Austin.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 40.1 miles from Austin, AR, or about 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 27 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 18 miles or 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40.1 miles or 45m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hot Springs, AR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Austin, AR so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Austin, AR
This is one driving day of about 80.1 miles and 1h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Austin, AR.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 30 for about 27 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
40 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 40.1 miles from Austin, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 65 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 55.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
AR 367
At end of road, turn right onto AR 367
Navigation decision point
3
1.1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
I 57; US 167
Merge onto I 57; US 167
Merge point - match speed before joining
5
23.7 mi into trip
|
~26m in
|
US 167
Take the exit onto US 167 toward I 30 West, US 65 South, US 67 South, US 167 South: Little Rock
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 30 West, US 65 South, US 67 South, US...
8
28.5 mi into trip
|
~32m in
|
I 30; US 67
Keep slight right at fork onto I 30; US 67 toward Texarkana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 138
Toward Texarkana
4
55.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 2m in
|
US 70
Take the exit onto US 70 toward US-70 West: Hot Springs
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward US-70 West: Hot Springs
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.10 one way
$24.19 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
28 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $13.28 | $26.56 |
| premium | $4.56 | $14.38 | $28.75 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $17.69 | $35.37 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 24 | 0 | $8.41 | $3.84 |
| Efficient EV | 20 | 0 | $7.01 | $3.20 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 32 | 0 | $11.21 | $5.13 |
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (68% 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.
Destination
Hot Springs, AR
Late night in Hot Springs on Tuesday
Local time
3:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
1 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
1h 33m 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...
1 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 80.1
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 99% of the route utilizing interstates like I 30 and I 57. Expect a smooth and efficient journey for the majority of the trip. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 27 miles on I 30, offering a good period of steady travel. While the profile is predominantly interstate, the transition to US 70 introduces a slight change in scenery and road type. Overall, the drive is characterized by its directness and reliance on major roadways.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
11 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 27 mi on I 30.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 30 and US 70. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near AR 367.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 1h 33m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (AR 367): Navigation decision point; at 1.1 miles (I 57; US 167): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 23.7 miles (US 167): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Austin, AR to Hot Springs, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Texarkana along the way.
Texarkana
28.5 mi in
|
~32m
|
via I 30; US 67
About the Cities
Arriving in Hot Springs, AR
Full guide →Hot Springs is a city in the Central region of Arkansas and home to Hot Springs National Park, a United States national park. It is also the childhood home of former President Bill Clinton.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 33m. Total distance: 80.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 27 miles on I 30. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (AR 367): Navigation decision point; at 1.1 miles (I 57; US 167): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 23.7 miles (US 167): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Hot Springs National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Hot Springs, AR before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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