Spanning 250.8 miles across Arkansas, this trip from Camden to Paragould typically takes about 4 hours and 43 minutes. Because it covers a significant portion of the state, you can comfortably complete the journey in a single day. You will primarily navigate via I-57, US-167, and US-79, making it a straightforward trek through the Southeast region. Budget approximately $38 for fuel to cover the distance. Since the start and end points are both within the Southeast, you will notice a consistent regional landscape throughout your travel. It is a practical, efficient route that serves as a reliable connection between these two Arkansas cities.
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
125.4 miles from Camden, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 26m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
122.8 mi
2h 7m
US 167
50.9 mi
1h
US 79
27.4 mi
31m
US 412
24.5 mi
30m
Sheridan Bypass
17.9 mi
20m
Van Buren Street Northwest
3.8 mi
5m
US 67
1.6 mi
2m
West Court Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 122.8 mi, about 2h 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Camden, AR and Paragould, AR.
1
Start on US 278B
37 ft·8 sec·West Washington Street
2
Continue on US 79B
0.2 mi·21 sec·West Washington Street
Use the left lane.
3
Turn left onto US 79B
301 ft·6 sec·Harrison Avenue Northwest
4
Turn right onto US 79B
3.8 mi·5 min·Van Buren Street Northwest
5
Turn left onto US 79B
0.4 mi·38 sec·US 79B
6
Turn left onto US 79
27 mi·31 min·US 79
7
Turn left onto US 167
36 mi·44 min·US 167
8
Continue on US 167
18 mi·20 min·Sheridan Bypass
9
Keep slight left at fork onto US 167
15 mi·16 min·US 167
Toward I 530 North, US 65 North, US 167 North: Little Rock
10
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
11
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.
12
Continue on I 57; US 64; US 167
94 mi·1 hr 38 min·I 57; US 64; US 167
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 412
0.5 mi·1 min·US 412
Toward US 412: Paragould, Walnut Ridge
14
Turn right onto US 412
24 mi·28 min·US 412
15
Turn left onto US 49Y
0.4 mi·37 sec·West Court Street
16
Turn left onto US 49; AR 1
0.2 mi·25 sec·US 49; AR 1
17
Turn right onto West Hunt Street
251 ft·10 sec·West Hunt Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Turn left onto North 14th Street
51 ft·1 sec·North 14th Street
19
Turn right onto West Hunt Street
0.2 mi·32 sec·West Hunt Street
20
Turn right onto Hayes Place
237 ft·15 sec·Hayes Place
21
Turn left onto Winchester
0.2 mi·42 sec·Winchester
22
Arrive at destination
Winchester
Trip Plan
Since the total drive time is under five hours, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience without needing an overnight stay. Plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh during the nearly 300-mile journey. Given that the majority of your time will be spent on major highways, monitor your fuel levels before merging onto the longer interstate sections like I-57 to avoid unnecessary detours. Because the route is quite direct, your best strategy is to maintain a steady pace and utilize your single planned stop to break up the monotony of the long highway stretches.
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 125.4 miles from Camden, AR, or about 2h 26m 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 55 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 125.4 miles or 2h 26m 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 50m
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 Camden, 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 Camden, AR
This is one driving day of about 250.8 miles and 4h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Camden, 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 86 and 250.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
86 mi into trip|~1h 43m in|US 167
Keep slight left at fork onto US 167 toward I 530 North, US 65 North, US 167 North: Little Rock
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 530 North, US 65 North, US 167 North:...
7
100.7 mi into trip|~1h 59m 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
102.3 mi into trip|~2h 2m 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
225.2 mi into trip|~4h 10m 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
250.3 mi into trip|~4h 41m in|West Hunt Street
Turn right onto West Hunt Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.88 one way
$75.75 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg88 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$41.58
$83.16
premium
$4.56
$45.02
$90.03
diesel
$5.61
$55.37
$110.75
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
75.2
0
$26.33
$12.04
Efficient EV
62.7
0
$21.95
$10.03
EV Truck/SUV
100.3
1
$35.11
$16.05
Gas CO2
88 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% 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 20, 2026
Origin
Camden, AR
Morning
in Camden on Tuesday
Local time
8:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Paragould, AR
Morning
in Paragould on Tuesday
Local time
8:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°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
6 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 43m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 91% of this route consists of high-speed roads. You will settle into a steady rhythm behind the wheel, punctuated by a significant 122.8-mile stretch on I-57. The drive prioritizes efficiency, moving you quickly across the landscape rather than winding through backroads. While you will encounter a mix of interstate and US highway segments, the overall character remains consistent and focused on steady progress. Prepare for a drive that favors speed and directness over technical or slow-moving transit.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 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?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and US 167. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 86 miles in near US 167.
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 250.8 miles you will encounter 17 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 86 miles (US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 100.7 miles (US 67; US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 102.3 miles (I 57; US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Camden, AR and Paragould, AR, road signs point toward Memphis, Saint Louis and Walnut Ridge.
Memphis
100.7 mi in|~1h 59m|via US 67; US 167
Saint Louis
102.3 mi in|~2h 2m|via I 57; US 167
Walnut Ridge
225.2 mi in|~4h 10m|via US 412
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 43m. Total distance: 250.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). 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.
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 Paragould, 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 86 miles (US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 100.7 miles (US 67; US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 102.3 miles (I 57; US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Paragould, AR, but most travelers stay overnight.
