If you are planning a trip from Conway to Magnolia, prepare for a 162.7-mile journey that takes approximately 3 hours and 11 minutes to complete. Because this route is entirely local, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won’t need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend around $25 on fuel for the trip, making it a budget-friendly option for your Arkansas travels. Since both cities are located within the Southeast region, you will remain in a familiar geographic area throughout the drive. This trip offers a straightforward way to navigate between the two cities without the complexity of major interstate travel.
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
81.4 miles from Conway, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 26m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 70
82.9 mi
1h 24m
I 40
19.9 mi
19m
US 278
17.9 mi
26m
US 371
17 mi
25m
I 430
12.3 mi
14m
East McKissack
7.2 mi
10m
Delight Highway
2.4 mi
4m
Oak Street
1.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
US 70
— 82.9 mi, about 1h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Conway, AR and Magnolia, AR.
1
Start on Main Street
104 ft·6 sec·Main Street
2
Turn right onto Locust Avenue
497 ft·14 sec·Locust Avenue
3
Turn right onto Oak Street
1.1 mi·2 min·Oak Street
4
Turn right onto Central Landing Boulevard
0.2 mi·34 sec·Central Landing Boulevard
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·25 sec
6
Merge onto I 40; US 65
20 mi·19 min·I 40; US 65
7
Take the exit
0.5 mi·41 sec
Toward I 430: TexarkanaUse the slight right lane.
8
Continue on I 430
12 mi·14 min·I 430
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 70
83 mi·1 hr 24 min·US 70
Exit 129BToward I 30 West: TexarkanaUse the slight right lane.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward AR 19: Prescott
11
Turn left onto AR 19
2.4 mi·4 min·Delight Highway
12
Turn right onto US 67; US 371
0.4 mi·39 sec·West 1st Street South
13
Turn right onto US 371
17 mi·25 min·US 371
14
At end of road, turn left onto US 278; US 371
18 mi·26 min·US 278; US 371
15
Turn left onto US 371
7.2 mi·10 min·East McKissack
16
Turn left onto West Main Street
0.1 mi·12 sec·West Main Street
17
Enter roundabout onto East Main Street
443 ft·10 sec·East Main Street
18
Continue on East Main Street
326 ft·9 sec·East Main Street
19
Turn right onto US 79B; AR 19
10 ft·0 sec·Jackson Street
20
Arrive at destination
US 79B; AR 19
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 3-hour and 11-minute drive, aim to depart early in the day to handle the turn-heavy local roads while visibility is at its best. Since the route includes one planned stop, use that break to stretch your legs and refuel, keeping your $25 budget in mind. Because this is a shorter trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace based on local traffic conditions. Keep a close eye on your navigation, as the reliance on local streets like Oak Street and Central Landing Boulevard requires more active route-following than a standard highway drive. Staying alert at intersections will ensure you reach Magnolia smoothly.
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 81.4 miles from Conway, AR, or about 1h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82.9 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 36 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 81.4 miles or 1h 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 2h 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Magnolia, AR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Conway, 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 Conway, AR
This is one driving day of about 162.7 miles and 3h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Conway, 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 US 70 for about 82.9 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 162.6 — 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|Locust Avenue
Turn right onto Locust Avenue
Navigation decision point
6
21.5 mi into trip|~23m in
Take the exit toward I 430: Texarkana
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 430: Texarkana
8
34.4 mi into trip|~38m in|US 70
Keep slight right at fork onto US 70 toward I 30 West: Texarkana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 129B
Toward I 30 West: Texarkana
4
117.3 mi into trip|~2h 2m in
Take the exit toward AR 19: Prescott
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward AR 19: Prescott
7
162.6 mi into trip|~3h 11m in|East Main Street
Enter roundabout onto East Main Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.57 one way
$49.14 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg57 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$26.97
$53.95
premium
$4.56
$29.20
$58.41
diesel
$5.61
$35.92
$71.84
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
48.8
0
$17.08
$7.81
Efficient EV
40.7
0
$14.24
$6.51
EV Truck/SUV
65.1
0
$22.78
$10.41
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Conway, AR
Night
in Conway on Saturday
Local time
11:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Magnolia, AR
Night
in Magnolia on Saturday
Local time
11:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°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
1 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
3h 11m 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.
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...
16 mi from route
~39 min detour
Free
near mile 72.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This 162.7-mile trek is a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous highway cruise, you will navigate via local roads like Locust Avenue, Oak Street, and Central Landing Boulevard. Because the highway share is 0%, you should anticipate a slower pace compared to interstate travel. The route changes character as you transition through the local road network, requiring frequent adjustments rather than long, uninterrupted stretches. It is a practical, hands-on driving experience that keeps you engaged with the local infrastructure of the region.
92% 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: 82.9 mi on US 70.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 70 and I 40. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Locust Avenue.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 11m drive. You will face about 16 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Locust Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 21.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 34.4 miles (US 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 11m. Total distance: 162.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
The longest stretch is about 82.9 miles on US 70. 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 (Locust Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 21.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 34.4 miles (US 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Hot Springs National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Magnolia, AR, but most travelers stay overnight.
