Caraway, AR to Hot Springs, AR is 207.8 miles and takes about 4h 1m via I 57 and I 30, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Arkansas, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. The route is mostly highway driving, making it a straightforward option for a single-day trip. You'll encounter 93% highway driving, so expect a consistent pace for most of the journey.
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
103.9 miles from Caraway, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 4m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
102.7 mi
1h 45m
I 30
27 mi
29m
US 70
24.6 mi
31m
Highway 18
19.4 mi
28m
US 78
12.5 mi
14m
Southwest Drive
7.4 mi
8m
East State Street
5.7 mi
10m
US 167
4.9 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 102.7 mi, about 1h 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Caraway, AR and Hot Springs, AR.
1
Start on AR 158
5.7 mi·10 min·East State Street
2
Continue on AR 135
2.2 mi·3 min·AR 135
3
Turn left onto AR 135
0.1 mi·15 sec·West Rogers
4
Turn left onto US 78; AR 18
19 mi·28 min·Highway 18
5
Turn left onto AR 18
7.4 mi·8 min·Southwest Drive
6
Continue on US 78; AR 226
13 mi·14 min·US 78; AR 226
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
8
Merge onto I 57
103 mi·1 hr 45 min·I 57
9
Merge onto I 40; US 167
0.9 mi·1 min·I 40; US 167
10
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
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 30; US 67
24 mi·26 min·I 30; US 67
Exit 138Toward TexarkanaUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 30; US 70
2.9 mi·3 min·I 30; US 70
13
Take the exit onto US 70
25 mi·31 min·US 70
Toward US-70 West: Hot Springs
14
Arrive at destination
US 70B; US 270B
Trip Plan
With a drive time of just over 4 hours, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Consider departing in the morning to allow ample time for any brief stops you might want to make. The longest stretch without a major change in road type is 102.7 miles on I 57, so plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly. Given the relatively short distance and high highway share, you have flexibility to adjust your schedule as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before heading into longer highway segments.
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 103.9 miles from Caraway, AR, or about 2h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 102.7 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 46 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 103.9 miles or 2h 4m 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 16m
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 Caraway, 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 Caraway, AR
This is one driving day of about 207.8 miles and 4h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Caraway, 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 102.7 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 7.9 and 183.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
7.9 mi into trip|~13m in|AR 135 / West Rogers
Turn left onto AR 135 / West Rogers
Navigation decision point
5
47.4 mi into trip|~1h 5m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
5
151.4 mi into trip|~2h 53m 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
156.3 mi into trip|~3h 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
183.3 mi into trip|~3h 30m 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
$28.85 one way
$57.69 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg73 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$32.27
$64.55
premium
$4.29
$35.09
$70.18
diesel
$4.80
$39.24
$78.47
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 72.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
62.3
0
$21.82
$9.97
Efficient EV
52
0
$18.18
$8.31
EV Truck/SUV
83.1
1
$29.09
$13.30
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Caraway, AR
Late night
in Caraway on Sunday
Local time
3:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Mostly Clear
WSW 0 to 5 mph10% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 7:40PM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Little Rock AR
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 7:40PM CDT until July 19 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Little Rock AR
Destination
Hot Springs, AR
Late night
in Hot Springs on Sunday
Local time
3:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Mostly Clear
W 0 to 5 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 7:40PM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Little Rock AR
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 7:40PM CDT until July 19 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Little Rock AR
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 1m 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...
1 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 207.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway, with 93% of the 207.8 miles spent on major roads like I 57 and I 30. You'll experience a long stretch of 102.7 miles on I 57, indicating extended periods of consistent cruising. The transition to surface roads will likely occur near the end of your drive, offering a change of pace as you approach your destination.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 102.7 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 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 7.9 miles in near AR 135 / West Rogers.
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 207.8 miles you will encounter 9 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 7.9 miles (AR 135 / West Rogers): Navigation decision point; at 47.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 151.4 miles (US 167): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
590 ft217 ft
Total Climb
549 ft
Total Descent
186 ft
Highest Point
590 ft
~209 mi in
Elevation Range
373 ft
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 Caraway, AR to Hot Springs, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Texarkana along the way.
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.
Top landmarks
•Bathhouse Row — park in Hot Springs, Garland County, United States of America
•Central Avenue Historic District — historic district in Hot Springs, Arkansas, USA
•Whittington Park Historic District — historic district in Arkansas, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 1m. Total distance: 207.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 102.7 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 7.9 miles (AR 135 / West Rogers): Navigation decision point; at 47.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 151.4 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.
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 Hot Springs, AR, but most travelers stay overnight.
