Blytheville, AR to Texarkana, AR is 326.7 miles and takes about 5h 39m via I-55, I-40, and I-30, with a fuel budget near $48 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within Arkansas, moving you from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. Since it's a single-day drive mostly on major interstates, it's a straightforward transit. You'll be covering a significant portion of the state, making it a good option if you need to get from point A to point B efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
163.4 miles from Blytheville, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 30
136.6 mi
2h 19m
I 40
117.5 mi
1h 58m
I 55
55.4 mi
55m
East Belt Freeway
9.8 mi
11m
South Division Street
2.7 mi
4m
Jefferson Avenue
1.9 mi
3m
East 24th Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Hickory Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 30
— 136.6 mi, about 2h 19m
Traffic on I-30
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 20 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,305 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,759
Quietest
2 AM
~288 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
4.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 61 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 Blytheville, AR and Texarkana, AR.
1
Start on US 78; AR 18
46 ft·4 sec·West Main Street
2
Turn right onto US 61
2.7 mi·4 min·South Division Street
3
Turn right onto Barker Road
0.2 mi·14 sec·Barker Road
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·20 sec
5
Merge onto I 55; US 78
55 mi·55 min·I 55; US 78
6
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 8Toward I 40 West: Little Rock
7
Merge onto I 40
118 mi·1 hr 58 min·I 40
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward I 40, AR 440: Jacksonville, TexarkanaUse the straight / right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 440 West: Texarkana
10
Merge onto I 440
9.8 mi·11 min·East Belt Freeway
11
Continue on I 30; US 67
24 mi·26 min·I 30; US 67
12
Continue on I 30; US 70
113 mi·1 hr 53 min·I 30; US 70
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·33 sec
Toward Jefferson Avenue
14
Turn left onto Jefferson Avenue
1.9 mi·3 min·Jefferson Avenue
15
Turn right onto East 24th Street
0.4 mi·45 sec·East 24th Street
16
Turn left onto Hickory Street
0.3 mi·38 sec·Hickory Street
17
Turn right onto East 20th Street
485 ft·21 sec·East 20th Street
18
Arrive at destination
East 20th Street
Trip Plan
Given this is a single-day trip of under six hours, you have flexibility on when to depart. Leaving in the morning will give you ample daylight to reach Texarkana comfortably. You'll encounter one recommended stop along the way, so plan for a brief break to refuel and stretch. With 98% of the drive on highways like I-55, I-40, and I-30, keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as services can sometimes be spaced out between exits on these major corridors. The longest stretch is over 130 miles, so ensure you're prepared before entering that segment.
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 163.4 miles from Blytheville, AR, or about 2h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 136.6 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 72 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 163.4 miles or 2h 47m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Texarkana, AR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Blytheville, 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 Blytheville, AR
This is one driving day of about 326.7 miles and 5h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 72 miles from Blytheville, 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 30 for about 136.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Home stretch
2.1 mi from route
~5 min detour
$10 to $20
Texarkana, Texas
Hours: 5:30–11 PM
+19037923222
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 58.5 and 326.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
58.5 mi into trip|~1h 1m in
Take the exit toward I 40 West: Little Rock
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 8
Toward I 40 West: Little Rock
7
176.6 mi into trip|~3h in
Take the exit toward I 40, AR 440: Jacksonville, Texarkana
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 40, AR 440: Jacksonville, Texarkana
5
176.8 mi into trip|~3h 1m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 440 West: Texarkana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 440 West: Texarkana
4
323.9 mi into trip|~5h 33m in
Take the exit toward Jefferson Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward Jefferson Avenue
5
326.6 mi into trip|~5h 39m in|East 20th Street
Turn right onto East 20th Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.37 one way
$88.75 round trip
$3.45/gal25.4 MPG avg114 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.85
$49.52
$99.04
premium
$4.15
$53.38
$106.76
diesel
$3.75
$48.23
$96.47
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
98
1
$34.30
$15.68
Efficient EV
81.7
0
$28.59
$13.07
EV Truck/SUV
130.7
1
$45.74
$20.91
Gas CO2
114 kg
EV CO2
38 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Blytheville, AR
Late night
in Blytheville on Monday
Local time
5:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Clear
SE 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Texarkana, AR
Late night
in Texarkana on Monday
Local time
5:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph0% chanceLive 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
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
5h 39m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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...
17 mi from route
~41 min detour
Free
near mile 225.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly on interstates, with a 98% highway share meaning you'll be on major roads for almost the entire trip. The longest continuous stretch without a major change in direction is 136.6 miles on I-30. Expect a consistent cruising experience with frequent exits for services and potential traffic, especially as you approach larger towns. The vast majority of your time will be spent on these high-speed roadways.
98% 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: 136.6 mi on I 30.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 30 and I 40. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 58.5 miles in.
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 326.7 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 58.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 176.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 176.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 39m. Total distance: 326.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 136.6 miles on I 30. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 1 rest area along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 58.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 176.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 176.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Hot Springs National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Texarkana, AR before the return drive.
