This 115.2-mile journey from Charleston to Conway, Arkansas, can easily be accomplished in a single day, taking approximately 2 hours and 9 minutes. The drive is primarily highway-focused, with 87% of the route on interstates and major roads like I-40 and AR 23. With an estimated fuel cost of $17, this is an economical option for a quick trip within the Southeast region. Given its manageable distance and duration, it's well-suited as a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your schedule. This route offers a straightforward path connecting two points in Arkansas.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
57.6 miles from Charleston, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 10m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
87 mi
1h 27m
AR 23
13.4 mi
18m
East Main Street
10 mi
15m
North 3rd Street
1.8 mi
3m
Harkrider Street
1.3 mi
1m
Oak Street
0.4 mi
<1m
West Commercial Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Skyline Drive
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 87 mi, about 1h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Charleston, AR and Conway, AR.
1
Start on South Hancock Street
6 ft·2 sec·South Hancock Street
2
Turn right onto AR 22
10 mi·15 min·East Main Street
3
Turn left onto AR 23
13 mi·18 min·AR 23
4
Turn right onto US 64
0.3 mi·29 sec·West Commercial Street
5
Turn left onto AR 219
1.8 mi·3 min·North 3rd Street
6
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
7
Merge onto I 40
87 mi·1 hr 27 min·I 40
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward US 65 North, US 65B South
9
Keep slight right at fork
498 ft·12 sec
10
Turn slight right onto US 65B
0.2 mi·21 sec·Skyline Drive
11
Continue on US 64; US 65B
0.5 mi·41 sec·Harkrider Street
12
Enter roundabout onto Harkrider Street
181 ft·2 sec·Harkrider Street
13
Continue on Harkrider Street
0.2 mi·20 sec·Harkrider Street
14
Enter roundabout onto Harkrider Street
162 ft·2 sec·Harkrider Street
15
Continue on Harkrider Street
0.5 mi·49 sec·Harkrider Street
16
Turn right onto Oak Street
492 ft·9 sec·Oak Street
17
Keep slight left at fork onto Oak Street
0.3 mi·38 sec·Oak Street
18
Turn left onto Locust Avenue
497 ft·19 sec·Locust Avenue
19
Turn left onto Main Street
104 ft·4 sec·Main Street
20
Arrive at destination
Main Street
Trip Plan
For this 2-hour, 9-minute drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize your day and avoid potential traffic, especially as you near Conway. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 87 miles on I-40, so plan for a fuel stop before or during this segment if your tank is low. Since this is a single-day trip of just over 100 miles, you have the flexibility to stop for breaks as needed. A practical tip is to check your tire pressure before leaving Charleston, ensuring optimal performance for the highway portions of your drive.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 57.6 miles from Charleston, AR, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 87 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 25 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 57.6 miles or 1h 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Conway, AR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Charleston, 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 Charleston, AR
This is one driving day of about 115.2 miles and 2h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Charleston, AR.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 87 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 10 and 114.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
10 mi into trip|~15m in|AR 23
Turn left onto AR 23
Navigation decision point
5
113 mi into trip|~2h 5m in
Take the exit toward US 65 North, US 65B South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 65 North, US 65B South
5
113.2 mi into trip|~2h 6m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
114.2 mi into trip|~2h 7m in|Harkrider Street
Enter roundabout onto Harkrider Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
114.8 mi into trip|~2h 8m in|Oak Street
Keep slight left at fork onto Oak Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.40 one way
$34.80 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg40 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$19.10
$38.20
premium
$4.56
$20.68
$41.35
diesel
$5.61
$25.43
$50.87
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
34.6
0
$12.10
$5.53
Efficient EV
28.8
0
$10.08
$4.61
EV Truck/SUV
46.1
0
$16.13
$7.37
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (68% 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Charleston, AR
Night
in Charleston on Saturday
Local time
11:33 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Conway, AR
Night
in Conway on Saturday
Local time
11:33 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
75°F
Clarksville, AR
58 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
2h 9m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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 predominantly highway-focused drive for most of this 115.2-mile trip. You'll spend about 87% of your time on high-speed roads, including a significant 87-mile stretch on I-40. While I-40 provides a swift connection, the inclusion of AR 23 and East Main Street in Charleston introduces some local road elements. The character shifts from interstate cruising to more local access as you approach your destination. This mix means you'll experience both efficient travel and a transition into more populated areas.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 87 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and AR 23. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 10 miles in near AR 23.
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 115.2 miles you will encounter 13 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 10 miles (AR 23): Navigation decision point; at 113 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 113.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 9m. Total distance: 115.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 87 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 10 miles (AR 23): Navigation decision point; at 113 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 113.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Conway, AR before heading back.
