Traveling from Centerton to Pine Bluff covers 258.3 miles across Arkansas, typically requiring about 4 hours and 32 minutes of time behind the wheel. Because this journey is manageable in a single day, you can easily complete the trip without needing an overnight stay. You will rely primarily on I-49, I-40, and I-530 to navigate between these two Southeast locations. Budgeting roughly $39 for fuel should cover your transit costs, making this an efficient way to cross the state. Since the drive is straightforward, it serves well as a practical transit route for those prioritizing speed over scenic detours. Whether you are heading south for business or personal travel, the direct nature of this connection keeps your logistics simple.
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
129.2 miles from Centerton, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 16m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
140.4 mi
2h 21m
I 49
65.7 mi
1h 8m
I 530
35 mi
35m
US 65B
5.6 mi
9m
US 65
4.6 mi
6m
Southwest 14th Street
2.3 mi
3m
East Centerton Boulevard
1.9 mi
2m
Southeast 14th Street
1.6 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 140.4 mi, about 2h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Centerton, AR and Pine Bluff, AR.
1
Start on West Spring Street
91 ft·5 sec·West Spring Street
2
Turn right onto AR 102B
492 ft·17 sec·North Main Street
3
Turn left onto AR 102
1.9 mi·2 min·East Centerton Boulevard
4
Continue on AR 102
2.3 mi·3 min·Southwest 14th Street
5
Continue on AR 102
1.6 mi·2 min·Southeast 14th Street
Use the right lane.
6
Take the ramp onto US 62; AR 12
0.2 mi·14 sec·US 62; AR 12
Use the right lane.
7
Continue on I 49; US 62; US 71; AR 12
66 mi·1 hr 8 min·I 49; US 62; US 71; AR 12
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·49 sec
Toward I 40 East: Alma, Little Rock
9
Merge onto I 40; US 71
140 mi·2 hr 21 min·I 40; US 71
10
Take the exit onto US 65
4.6 mi·6 min·US 65
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 530; US 65; US 167
35 mi·35 min·I 530; US 65; US 167
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit onto US 65B
5.6 mi·9 min·US 65B
13
Turn right onto North Pine Street
302 ft·18 sec·North Pine Street
14
Turn left onto West Barraque Street
312 ft·15 sec·West Barraque Street
15
Turn right onto South Main Street
349 ft·15 sec·South Main Street
16
Arrive at destination
South Main Street
Trip Plan
Planning for this 258.3-mile trek is straightforward since you only need to account for one planned stop. To keep your travel time close to the 4-hour and 32-minute estimate, try to time your departure to avoid peak traffic hours near major interstate junctions. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during that long 140.4-mile stretch on I-40 to ensure you don't run low between service areas. Because the route is compact enough for a single day, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace based on your own comfort levels. Taking your break roughly halfway through the journey will help you stay alert and comfortable until you reach your final destination in Pine Bluff.
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 129.2 miles from Centerton, AR, or about 2h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 140.4 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 57 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 129.2 miles or 2h 16m 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 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pine Bluff, AR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Centerton, 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 Centerton, AR
This is one driving day of about 258.3 miles and 4h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Centerton, 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 140.4 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 258.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|AR 102B / North Main Street
Turn right onto AR 102B / North Main Street
Navigation decision point
6
71.9 mi into trip|~1h 18m 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
6
217.6 mi into trip|~3h 46m in|I 530; US 65; US 167
Keep slight left at fork onto I 530; US 65; US 167
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
5
258.2 mi into trip|~4h 31m in|West Barraque Street
Turn left onto West Barraque Street
Navigation decision point
5
258.2 mi into trip|~4h 32m in|South Main Street
Turn right onto South Main Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.01 one way
$78.02 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg90 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$42.82
$85.65
premium
$4.56
$46.36
$92.72
diesel
$5.61
$57.03
$114.06
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 90.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
77.5
0
$27.12
$12.40
Efficient EV
64.6
0
$22.60
$10.33
EV Truck/SUV
103.3
1
$36.16
$16.53
Gas CO2
90 kg
EV CO2
30 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 12, 2026
Origin
Centerton, AR
Night
in Centerton on Saturday
Local time
11:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
S 15 to 20 mph86% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Pine Bluff, AR
Night
in Pine Bluff on Saturday
Local time
11:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Partly Sunny
S 5 to 10 mph13% chanceLive forecast
79°F
Delaware, AR
129 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
10 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
4h 32m 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 highly efficient experience on this route, as 97% of your travel takes place on major highways. You will spend a significant portion of the trip on I-40, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 140.4 miles. Because the drive is heavily focused on interstate infrastructure, you can anticipate consistent speeds and a predictable driving environment. This highway-focused profile means you will spend most of your time in the flow of interstate traffic rather than navigating local surface streets. It is a functional, streamlined journey that minimizes technical driving, allowing you to cover the distance with minimal stress.
97% 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: 140.4 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 49. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near AR 102B / North Main Street.
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 258.3 miles you will encounter 11 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 (AR 102B / North Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 71.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 217.6 miles (I 530; US 65; US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,420 ft273 ft
Total Climb
468 ft
Total Descent
1,386 ft
Highest Point
1,420 ft
~36.9 mi in
Elevation Range
1,148 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 Centerton, AR to Pine Bluff, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Little Rock along the way.
Little Rock
71.9 mi in|~1h 18m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 32m. Total distance: 258.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 140.4 miles on I 40. 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: near the start (AR 102B / North Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 71.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 217.6 miles (I 530; US 65; US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Pine Bluff, AR, but most travelers stay overnight.
