Black Forest, CO to Mountain Home, AR is 862.9 miles and takes about 15 hours 53 minutes via Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, with a fuel budget near $143 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This long-haul drive transitions you from the Mountain West region of Colorado to the Southeast region of Arkansas. It's a significant trek, best suited for those who appreciate extended time on the road and are prepared for a full day's drive. Consider this route if you're looking for a straightforward path across multiple states with a focus on efficient travel.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
4 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
431.5 miles from Black Forest, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 7h 41m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
365.8 mi
6h 5m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
90.3 mi
1h 32m
MO 13
68 mi
1h 19m
MO 7
55.6 mi
1h 4m
US 24
53.2 mi
1h 14m
US Highway 65
46.4 mi
59m
US 62
41.6 mi
47m
South Lawrence Trafficway
36.5 mi
40m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 365.8 mi, about 6h 5m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 52 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~644 veh/hr typical
· worst 919
Quietest
2 AM
~63 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 104 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Black Forest, CO and Mountain Home, AR.
Exit 71AToward I 470 East, US 50 East, I 49 South, US 71 South: Lee's Summit, Grandview, JoplinUse the slight right lane.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 1Toward I 49 South, US 71 South: Joplin
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 49 South, US 71 South: Joplin, Grandview
23
Merge onto I 49; US 71
25 mi·27 min·I 49; US 71
24
Take the exit onto MO 7
0.2 mi·19 sec·MO 7
Exit 157Toward MO 7 South: Clinton
25
Turn slight left onto MO 7
55 mi·1 hr 3 min·MO 7
Exit 157Toward MO 7 South: ClintonUse the left lane.
26
Continue on MO 13
68 mi·1 hr 19 min·MO 13
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward I 44 East: Rolla, Saint Louis
28
Merge onto I 44
4.3 mi·5 min·Payne Stewart Highway
29
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Exit 82AToward US 65 South: Branson
30
Merge onto US 65
11 mi·13 min·Schoolcraft Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Continue on US 65
11 mi·12 min·American Legion Memorial Highway
32
Continue on US 65
12 mi·13 min·US Highway 65
33
Continue on US 65
13 mi·15 min·American Legion Memorial Highway
34
Continue on US 65
34 mi·45 min·US Highway 65
Use the straight lane.
35
Continue on US 62; US 412
31 mi·35 min·US 62; US 412
36
Continue on US 62; US 412
10 mi·12 min·US 62; US 412
37
Turn straight onto US-62B
1.1 mi·1 min·US-62B
38
Continue on US 62B; AR 5
0.1 mi·16 sec·US 62B; AR 5
39
Turn right onto East 7th Street
240 ft·16 sec·East 7th Street
40
Turn left onto South Baker Street
234 ft·15 sec·South Baker Street
41
Turn left onto East 6th Street
193 ft·8 sec·East 6th Street
42
Arrive at destination
East 6th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 15-hour drive time, splitting this trip over two days is highly recommended. Aim to depart early in the morning to maximize daylight hours for driving. With four planned stops, you'll have opportunities to rest and refuel. Pay attention to your fuel gauge, especially during the 365.8-mile stretch on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, as services can be spaced out. Planning your overnight stop around the halfway point will make the drive more manageable and enjoyable.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 4 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 431.5 miles from Black Forest, CO, or about 7h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 365.8 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 190 miles or 3h 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 431.5 miles or 7h 41m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 431.5 miles or 7h 41m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 14h 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mountain Home, AR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Black Forest, CO 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Black Forest, CO
Aim for roughly 431 miles and 7.9 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Mountain Home, AR
Aim for roughly 431 miles and 7.9 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 190 miles from Black Forest, CO.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 4 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 365.8 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 26
5 decision points cluster between mile 64.1 and 584.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
64.1 mi into trip|~1h 34m in
Take the exit toward I 70 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 70 East
6
519.8 mi into trip|~9h 12m in|I 70 / Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70 / Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway toward I-70 East, Kansas City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-70 East, Kansas City
7
571.4 mi into trip|~10h 8m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 435 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 435 East
9
583.8 mi into trip|~10h 23m in|I 470; US 50
Keep slight right at fork onto I 470; US 50 toward I 470 East, US 50 East, I 49 South, US 71 South: Lee's Summit, Grandview, Joplin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 71A
Toward I 470 East, US 50 East, I 49 South, US 7...
7
584.6 mi into trip|~10h 24m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 49 South, US 71 South: Joplin, Grandview
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 49 South, US 71 South: Joplin, Grandvi...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$145.61 one way
$291.21 round trip
$4.29/gal25.4 MPG avg302 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$153.66
$307.31
premium
$4.89
$166.06
$332.11
diesel
$5.60
$190.21
$380.42
Estimated Tolls: $0.70
Kansas Turnpike
(14 mi)$0.70
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$146
Tolls
$1
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$276–$386
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 301.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $91 in charging
· 3 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
258.9
3
$90.60
$41.42
Efficient EV
215.7
2
$75.50
$34.52
EV Truck/SUV
345.2
4
$120.81
$55.23
Gas CO2
302 kg
EV CO2
101 kg (67% less)
Plan for 3 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 Aug 7, 2026
Origin
Black Forest, CO
Night
in Black Forest on Tuesday
Local time
9:45 PM
MDT
Current temp
89°F
Haze
ENE 5 to 10 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued August 7 at 12:13PM MDT until August 7 at 8:00PM MDT by NWS Grand Junction CO
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued August 7 at 12:13PM MDT until August 8 at 8:00PM MDT by NWS Grand Junction CO
Destination
Mountain Home, AR
Night
in Mountain Home on Tuesday
Local time
10:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
SSW 0 to 5 mph74% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued August 7 at 12:45PM CDT until August 7 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Little Rock AR
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued August 7 at 12:43PM CDT until August 7 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
Time zone
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
4 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
15h 53m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 38% of this drive is on highways, meaning you'll spend a good portion of your time on major interstates like the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. The longest continuous stretch on this highway is 365.8 miles. You'll experience a shift from interstate cruising to more rural travel as you transition to roads like MO 13. Expect to notice a difference in the density of exits and the speed of traffic as you move between these road types.
38% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
42 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 365.8 mi on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
At 15h 53m, this is a long-haul route where pacing matters more than any single turn. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 64.1 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 26 significant decision points across 862.9 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 64.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 519.8 miles (I 70 / Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 571.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
7,379 ft817 ft
Total Climb
551 ft
Total Descent
7,113 ft
Highest Point
7,379 ft
Elevation Range
6,562 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Black Forest, CO and Mountain Home, AR, road signs point toward Kansas City, Lawrence, Grandview, Joplin and Saint Louis.
Mountain Home is a city of 13,000 people (2019) in the southern Ozark Mountains of Arkansas near the northern state border with Missouri. It is the center of the Twin Lakes area, with Norfork Lake 15 minutes to the east and Bull Shoals Lake 20 minutes to the northwest.
The longest stretch is about 365.8 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 431 miles on day one.
Expect about $0.70 in tolls one way, starting with Kansas Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
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 Mountain Home, 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 4 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 64.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 519.8 miles (I 70 / Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 571.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 15.9 hours each way, a round trip means 31.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Mountain Home, AR before the return drive.
