If you are planning a trip from El Dorado to Paragould, expect a journey covering 272.7 miles through the southeastern region of Arkansas. Clocking in at approximately 4 hours and 32 minutes, this route is perfectly manageable as a single-day drive, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget about $42 for fuel to cover the distance. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straight interstate shot, you will want to stay alert behind the wheel. Given the duration, one well-timed stop is all you really need to keep the trip comfortable.
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
134.4 miles from El Dorado, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 40m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
122.8 mi
2h 7m
US 167
50.9 mi
1h
Lee Street
35.7 mi
43m
US 412
24.5 mi
30m
Sheridan Bypass
17.9 mi
20m
Calion Highway
10 mi
12m
South West Avenue
3.1 mi
5m
US 67
1.6 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 122.8 mi, about 2h 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between El Dorado, AR and Paragould, AR.
1
Start on Barton Street
70 ft·8 sec·Barton Street
2
Turn left onto US 82B
273 ft·11 sec·West Hillsboro Street
3
Turn left onto US 167B
3.1 mi·5 min·South West Avenue
4
Turn right onto US 167B
0.9 mi·1 min·North Calion Road
5
Continue on US 167
10.0 mi·12 min·Calion Highway
6
Merge onto US 167
36 mi·43 min·Lee Street
7
Turn left onto US 167
36 mi·44 min·US 167
8
Continue on US 167
18 mi·20 min·Sheridan Bypass
9
Keep slight left at fork onto US 167
15 mi·16 min·US 167
Toward I 530 North, US 65 North, US 167 North: Little Rock
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 67; US 167
1.6 mi·2 min·US 67; US 167
Exit 143BToward I 40 East, US 67 North, US 167 North: Jacksonville, Memphis
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57; US 167
28 mi·29 min·I 57; US 167
Toward Saint LouisUse the slight left lane.
12
Continue on I 57; US 64; US 167
94 mi·1 hr 38 min·I 57; US 64; US 167
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 412
0.5 mi·1 min·US 412
Toward US 412: Paragould, Walnut Ridge
14
Turn right onto US 412
24 mi·28 min·US 412
15
Turn left onto US 49Y
0.4 mi·37 sec·West Court Street
16
Turn left onto US 49; AR 1
0.2 mi·25 sec·US 49; AR 1
17
Turn right onto West Hunt Street
251 ft·10 sec·West Hunt Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Turn left onto North 14th Street
51 ft·1 sec·North 14th Street
19
Turn right onto West Hunt Street
0.2 mi·32 sec·West Hunt Street
20
Turn right onto Hayes Place
237 ft·15 sec·Hayes Place
21
Turn left onto Winchester
0.2 mi·42 sec·Winchester
22
Arrive at destination
Winchester
Trip Plan
Because this route relies entirely on local roads, it is wise to depart early in the day to avoid potential congestion and ensure you reach Paragould with plenty of daylight. Plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh, as the constant turns can be more fatiguing than highway driving. Keep your navigation system updated, as the reliance on local streets like North Calion Road means you will need clear guidance through multiple intersections. Since you are not restricted by highway exits, you have the flexibility to pull over whenever you find a safe, convenient spot to refuel. Always keep your $42 fuel budget in mind when selecting your rest stops along the way.
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 134.4 miles from El Dorado, AR, or about 2h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 122.8 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 59 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 134.4 miles or 2h 40m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Paragould, AR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving El Dorado, 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 El Dorado, AR
This is one driving day of about 268.7 miles and 5h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from El Dorado, 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 57 for about 122.8 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 104 and 268.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
104 mi into trip|~2h 7m in|US 167
Keep slight left at fork onto US 167 toward I 530 North, US 65 North, US 167 North: Little Rock
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 530 North, US 65 North, US 167 North:...
7
118.7 mi into trip|~2h 23m in|US 67; US 167
Keep slight right at fork onto US 67; US 167 toward I 40 East, US 67 North, US 167 North: Jacksonville, Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 143B
Toward I 40 East, US 67 North, US 167 North: Ja...
7
120.3 mi into trip|~2h 26m in|I 57; US 167
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57; US 167 toward Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward Saint Louis
6
243.1 mi into trip|~4h 34m in|US 412
Keep slight right at fork onto US 412 toward US 412: Paragould, Walnut Ridge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 412: Paragould, Walnut Ridge
6
268.2 mi into trip|~5h 5m in|West Hunt Street
Turn right onto West Hunt Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.58 one way
$81.16 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg94 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$44.55
$89.09
premium
$4.56
$48.23
$96.46
diesel
$5.61
$59.33
$118.65
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 94 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80.6
0
$28.21
$12.90
Efficient EV
67.2
0
$23.51
$10.75
EV Truck/SUV
107.5
1
$37.62
$17.20
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
31 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 15, 2026
Origin
El Dorado, AR
Night
in El Dorado on Saturday
Local time
11:39 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Paragould, AR
Night
in Paragould on Saturday
Local time
11:39 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
5h 7m 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?
Prepare for a drive that prioritizes local roads over high-speed interstate travel. With a 0% highway share, you will spend your time navigating via West Hillsboro Street, South West Avenue, and North Calion Road. This is a technical, turn-heavy route that requires your full attention, as it lacks the monotony of long, straight highway stretches. You will experience a more intimate look at the local landscape, though you should be ready for constant steering adjustments throughout the 272.7-mile trek. It is a hands-on driving experience that rewards those who enjoy keeping their eyes on the road and navigating local infrastructure.
74% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 122.8 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and US 167. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 104 miles in near US 167.
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 268.7 miles you will encounter 16 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 104 miles (US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 118.7 miles (US 67; US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 120.3 miles (I 57; US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between El Dorado, AR and Paragould, AR, road signs point toward Memphis, Saint Louis and Walnut Ridge.
Memphis
118.7 mi in|~2h 23m|via US 67; US 167
Saint Louis
120.3 mi in|~2h 26m|via I 57; US 167
Walnut Ridge
243.1 mi in|~4h 34m|via US 412
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 7m. Total distance: 268.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 122.8 miles on I 57. 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.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 104 miles (US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 118.7 miles (US 67; US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 120.3 miles (I 57; US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Paragould, AR before the return drive.
