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Trip from Cave Springs, AR to North Little Rock, AR

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 31m

Distance

201.5 mi

324 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$28

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

16 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
3h 19m ★
6 AM
3h 32m
8 AM
3h 56m
10 AM
3h 40m
12 PM
3h 38m
3 PM
3h 41m
5 PM
3h 55m
8 PM
3h 24m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Cave Springs, AR, AR

Cave Springs, AR

Quang Nguyen Vinh

Downtown North Little Rock, AR, AR

North Little Rock, AR

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 201.5-mile drive from Cave Springs, Arkansas, to North Little Rock, Arkansas, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 3 hours and 31 minutes to complete. Primarily utilizing I-49 and I-40, this route is a highway-focused experience, with 95% of your journey on major interstates. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $31. Given its manageable distance and duration, it’s a straightforward option for a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure and arrival times. You'll be traveling within the Southeast region for the entire journey, staying within Arkansas.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

100.8 miles from Cave Springs, AR

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 49m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 40 140 mi 2h 20m
I 49 51.4 mi 52m
North Maestri Road 2.3 mi 4m
South Main Street (Cave Springs) 1.8 mi 3m
North Main Street (Elm Springs) 1.6 mi 3m
West Sunset Avenue 1.4 mi 2m
North Main Street Elm Springs 0.9 mi 1m
North Main Street 0.7 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 40 — 140 mi, about 2h 20m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cave Springs, AR and North Little Rock, AR.

1

Start on this road

43 ft · 5 sec · this road
2

Turn right onto Midway Avenue

53 ft · 7 sec · Midway Avenue
3

Turn left onto AR 112

1.8 mi · 3 min · South Main Street (Cave Springs)
4

Continue on AR 112

0.9 mi · 1 min · North Main Street Elm Springs
5

Continue on AR 112

1.6 mi · 3 min · North Main Street (Elm Springs)
Use the straight lane.
6

Continue on AR 112

2.3 mi · 4 min · North Maestri Road
7

Turn left onto US 412

0.4 mi · 36 sec · East Henri de Tonti Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
8

Continue on US 412

1.4 mi · 2 min · West Sunset Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 15 sec
Use the right lane.
10

Merge onto I 49; US 62; US 71

51 mi · 52 min · I 49; US 62; US 71
Use the straight lane.
11

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 49 sec
Toward I 40 East: Alma, Little Rock
12

Merge onto I 40; US 71

140 mi · 2 hr 20 min · I 40; US 71
13

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 22 sec
Use the right lane.
14

Turn slight right

93 ft · 4 sec
15

Turn slight right onto North Main Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · North Main Street
16

Arrive at destination

North Main Street

Trip Plan

For this 201.5-mile journey, you can comfortably tackle it in one day, making it ideal for a flexible departure. Aim to leave in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for any unexpected delays. With a driving time of just over 3.5 hours, you'll only need to plan for one significant stop. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longest stretch of 140 miles on I-40, as services can sometimes be spaced further apart on interstates. The estimated fuel cost of $31 is a helpful budget point to consider.

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 100.8 miles from Cave Springs, AR, or about 1h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 140 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 44 miles or 51m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 100.8 miles or 1h 49m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 54m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near North Little Rock, AR than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Cave Springs, 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 Cave Springs, AR

This is one driving day of about 201.5 miles and 3h 31m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Cave Springs, 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 40 for about 140 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Delaware, AR, AR

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Delaware, AR

101 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

Farmington, AR

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 44 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Delaware, AR

Meal break

The midpoint is around 100.8 miles from Cave Springs, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 140 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · final third

Old South Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Russellville, Arkansas

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Final third · 1h 16m to go 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+14799683789

Visit website

The Patio Café

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Conway, Arkansas

1.2 mi

Buenos Aires Grill & Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Little Rock, Arkansas

1.5 mi

Best coffee break · home stretch

Dark Side Coffee Lounge

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

North Little Rock, Arkansas

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch · 0min to go 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

Visit website

West Fork Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

West Fork, Arkansas

2.4 mi

Old South Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Final third 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Russellville, Arkansas

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+14799683789

Visit website

The Patio Café

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Conway, Arkansas

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+15013583556

Visit website

Buenos Aires Grill & Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30

Little Rock, Arkansas

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15019042133

Visit website

Crosswoods Restaurant & Sports Club

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately

Clarksville, Arkansas

Hours: 3 pm–12 am

+14797548080

Visit website

The Root Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Little Rock, Arkansas

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+15014140423

Visit website

Chick-fil-A

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour Inexpensiv

Russellville, Arkansas

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+14799670220

Visit website

Wildflower Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Mulberry, Arkansas

Hours: 11 am–7 pm

+14792972005

Bobby's Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

North Little Rock, Arkansas

Hours: 6:30 am–7:30 pm

+15018517888

Dark Side Coffee Lounge

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

North Little Rock, Arkansas

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

Visit website

West Fork Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

West Fork, Arkansas

Hours: 6 am–3 pm

+14792943041

Visit website

River City Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

Home stretch 3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10

Little Rock, Arkansas

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+15016611496

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

Home stretch 3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour

Conway, Arkansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour

Conway, Arkansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Ozark Rest Area – Eastbound

0.1 mi from route

Overlook Rest Area - Westbound

0.1 mi from route

Big Piney Rest Area - Westbound

0.1 mi from route

Ozark Rest Area - Westbound

0.1 mi from route

Big Piney Rest Area – Eastbound

0.1 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.1 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

0.1 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

0.1 mi from route

Tobo's 66 Travel Plaza

0.1 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.1 mi from route

Flying J Travel Center

0.2 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.2 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.2 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.3 mi from route

TA

0.3 mi from route

QuikTrip

0.3 mi from route

Reno's Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

North Little Rock, Arkansas

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+15013762900

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 8

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 60 — 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 | Midway Avenue

Turn right onto Midway Avenue

Navigation decision point

5
6.6 mi into trip | ~12m in | US 412 / East Henri de Tonti Boulevard

Turn left onto US 412 / East Henri de Tonti Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
5
8.4 mi into trip | ~15m in

Take the exit

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
5
8.6 mi into trip | ~15m in | I 49; US 62; US 71

Merge onto I 49; US 62; US 71

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
6
60 mi into trip | ~1h 8m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 40 East: Alma, Little Rock

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 40 East: Alma, Little Rock

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$27.97 one way

$55.94 round trip

$3.53/gal 25.4 MPG avg 71 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $3.95 $31.30 $62.59
premium $4.29 $34.02 $68.05
diesel $4.80 $38.05 $76.09

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$28

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$53–$78

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 70.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

EV Charging Along Route

16 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Alma, AR - Tesla Supercharger

Alma, AR

Tesla

12 DCFC

Conway, AR - Tesla Supercharger

Conway, AR

Tesla

12 DCFC

Walmart EV Charging

Rogers, AR

WALMART

8 DCFC

Lowell, AR - Tesla Supercharger

Lowell, AR

Tesla

8 DCFC

Walmart EV Charging

Springdale, AR

WALMART

8 DCFC

Ozark, AR - Tesla Supercharger

Ozark, AR

Tesla

8 DCFC

Walmart 5260 (Rogers, AR)

Rogers, AR

Electrify America

4 DCFC

Pilot Travel Center 145

Springdale, AR

eVgo Network

4 DCFC

Tesla: 4 Electrify America: 2 WALMART: 2 EV Connect: 2 eVgo Network: 1 FCN: 1 NOODOE: 1 Blink Network: 1 ChargePoint Network: 1 FORD_CHARGE: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 60.5 0 $21.16 $9.67
Efficient EV 50.4 0 $17.63 $8.06
EV Truck/SUV 80.6 1 $28.21 $12.90

Gas CO2

71 kg

EV CO2

24 kg (66% 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

Cave Springs, AR

Late night in Cave Springs on Sunday

Local time

3:22 AM

CDT

Current temp

73°F

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

S 0 to 5 mph 20% chance Live forecast

Heat Advisory

Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 7:55PM CDT until July 19 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN

Heat Advisory

Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 7:40PM CDT until July 19 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Little Rock AR

Destination

North Little Rock, AR

Late night in North Little Rock on Sunday

Local time

3:22 AM

CDT

Current temp

76°F

Mostly Clear

0 mph 3% chance Live forecast

Heat Advisory

Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 7:55PM CDT until July 19 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN

Heat Advisory

Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 7:40PM CDT until July 19 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Little Rock AR

73°F

Delaware, AR

101 mi in

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

3 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

3h 31m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive on this route, with 95% of your travel occurring on interstates like I-49 and I-40. The character of the road is largely consistent, featuring a long, uninterrupted stretch of 140 miles on I-40. This means you'll experience a steady pace for the majority of your trip, with minimal deviations from the main thoroughfares. While the drive is efficient, it's important to be prepared for the long stretches of consistent highway driving.

95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 140 mi on I 40.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 49. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Midway Avenue.

Driving Effort 6/10

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 201.5 miles you will encounter 8 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: near the start (Midway Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 6.6 miles (US 412 / East Henri de Tonti Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

1,659 ft 270 ft

Total Climb

704 ft

Total Descent

1,591 ft

Highest Point

1,659 ft

~28.8 mi in

Elevation Range

1,389 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 Cave Springs, AR to North Little Rock, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Little Rock along the way.

Little Rock

60 mi in | ~1h 8m

About the Cities

Starting in Cave Springs, AR

Full guide →

Arriving in North Little Rock, AR

Full guide →

Founded 1871

North Little Rock is in the Central region of Arkansas. Previously known as Argenta, it became known as North Little Rock after an unsuccessful annexation attempt by Little Rock. It's prudent not to go flouting your collection of prized jewelry when roaming the streets of North Little Rock, as the community can be a little sketch.

Top landmarks

  • • USS Hoga — United States Navy tugboat
  • • Edgemere Street Bridge — road bridge in North Little Rock, United States of America
  • • Engelberger House — historic house in Arkansas, United States

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 3h 31m. Total distance: 201.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 140 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 16 rest areas or service plazas 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.

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 North Little Rock, 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. There are 16 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

The main spots that need attention: near the start (Midway Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 6.6 miles (US 412 / East Henri de Tonti Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.1 hours — manageable with a long break at North Little Rock, AR, but most travelers stay overnight.

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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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