Conway to Mena is 153.9 miles and takes about 3h 16m via US 70, with a fuel budget near $23 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Arkansas, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. Expect a mix of highway cruising and surface road travel as you make your way southwest. With a drive time under four hours and a low fuel cost, this route is a practical option for a single-day excursion, allowing for flexibility in your departure and arrival times.
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
76.9 miles from Conway, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 29m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 70
43.7 mi
52m
Albert Pike Road
34.9 mi
40m
East Broadway Avenue
29.5 mi
51m
I 40
19.9 mi
19m
I 430
12.3 mi
14m
US 270
9 mi
10m
US 59
1.7 mi
2m
Oak Street
1.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
US 70
— 43.7 mi, about 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Conway, AR and Mena, 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
18 mi·19 min·US 70
Exit 129BToward I 30 West: TexarkanaUse the slight right lane.
10
Take the exit onto US 70
25 mi·32 min·US 70
Toward US-70 West: Hot Springs
11
Turn left onto US 70B; US 270B
0.3 mi·28 sec·Summer Street
12
Turn straight onto US 70B; US 270B
35 mi·40 min·Albert Pike Road
13
Continue on US 270; AR 27
9.0 mi·10 min·US 270; AR 27
14
Turn left onto AR 88
29 mi·51 min·East Broadway Avenue
15
At end of road, turn left onto US 59; US 71
1.7 mi·2 min·US 59; US 71
16
Turn right onto AR 88
0.3 mi·38 sec·Mena Street
17
Turn left onto Church Avenue
375 ft·18 sec·Church Avenue
18
Turn right onto DeQueen Street
80 ft·3 sec·DeQueen Street
19
Arrive at destination
DeQueen Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 16m estimated drive time, you can comfortably complete this trip in one day. Departing in the morning allows ample time for a relaxed pace and any brief stops you might need. The longest stretch without a major road change is 43.7 miles on US 70, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly, perhaps around the halfway point or just before you expect to be on surface roads. With a fuel cost estimated at $23, it's a budget-friendly drive. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach Mena, as services may become less frequent on the final approach.
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 76.9 miles from Conway, AR, or about 1h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 43.7 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 34 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.9 miles or 1h 29m 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mena, 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 153.9 miles and 3h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 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 43.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Home stretch
0.2 mi from route
~1 min detour
$10 to $20
Mena, Arkansas
Hours: 11 am–3 pm
+14793941112
The Blitzed Pig
4.3
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour
Halfway reset
3.7 mi from route
~9 min detour
$10 to $20
Hot Springs, Arkansas
Hours: 11 AM–10 PM
+15015251616
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 153.8 — 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
52.7 mi into trip|~58m 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
5
153.8 mi into trip|~3h 16m in|DeQueen Street
Turn right onto DeQueen Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.55 one way
$45.09 round trip
$3.72/gal25.4 MPG avg54 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.13
$25.03
$50.06
premium
$4.49
$27.18
$54.36
diesel
$5.60
$33.92
$67.85
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
46.2
0
$16.16
$7.39
Efficient EV
38.5
0
$13.47
$6.16
EV Truck/SUV
61.6
0
$21.55
$9.85
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 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 Sep 1, 2026
Origin
Conway, AR
Late night
in Conway on Friday
Local time
2:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Clear
SE 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued August 31 at 7:58PM CDT until September 1 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Jackson MS
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued August 31 at 7:48PM CDT until September 1 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Destination
Mena, AR
Late night
in Mena on Friday
Local time
2:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued August 31 at 7:58PM CDT until September 1 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Jackson MS
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued August 31 at 7:48PM CDT until September 1 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
72°F
Glenwood, AR
77 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 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 16m 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.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 56% of this 153.9-mile route is highway, offering a good stretch of faster travel. The longest continuous section on a highway is 43.7 miles on US 70. As you transition to surface roads, expect a noticeable change in pace and the nature of the surrounding environment. The shift from highway speeds to surface road conditions will be a key change to anticipate.
56% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 43.7 mi on US 70.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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 16m drive. You will face about 12 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.
Conway is a college town in the Central region of Arkansas, northwest of Little Rock. Do not be deceived into thinking Conway is just another suburb of Little Rock. The "City of Colleges" has crafted its own unique identity, with beautiful college campuses, peaceful nature trails, access to two gorgeous lakes, one impressive river, and plenty of restaurants and shops to boot.
Mena is a town in Arkansas. A railroad town, Mena grew to a population of over 3,000 people within a few years of its founding in 1897. It was also touted for its health spa amenities. But soon after, the town's vitality diminished when rail facilities were moved to a nearby locale. Mena also had this troubling tendency of unabashed racial mistreatment towards African Americans that endured through much of the 20th century.
Today it attracts tourists with its picturesque location among the Ouachita National Forest and Mountains.
Top landmarks
•Mountain Fork Bridge — historic bridge in rural Polk County, Arkansas, United States of America
•Janssen Park — municipal park in Mena, Arkansas, United States
•Polk County Courthouse — courthouse in Arkansas, United States
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 43.7 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 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Mena, AR, but most travelers stay overnight.
