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Trip from Fayetteville, AR to Jonesboro, AR

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 10m

Distance

288 mi

463 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$43

one way

EV Charging

Good

6 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 57m ★
6 AM
5h 10m
8 AM
5h 37m
10 AM
5h 20m
12 PM
5h 17m
3 PM
5h 21m
5 PM
5h 36m
8 PM
5h 2m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Trip Overview

This 288-mile journey from Fayetteville, AR to Jonesboro, AR is a straightforward drive across Arkansas, taking approximately 5 hours and 10 minutes. Primarily utilizing major highways like I-40, US-64, and I-49, this route is well-suited for a single day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. With an estimated fuel cost of $43, it's an economical option for exploring the Southeast region of the state. The drive is focused on efficient travel, making it a practical choice for getting from point A to point B.

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

144 miles from Fayetteville, AR

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 28m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 40 113.8 mi 1h 53m
US 64 74.6 mi 1h 17m
I 49 40.4 mi 40m
Vilonia Bypass 25.9 mi 32m
US 78 12.1 mi 13m
Southwest Drive 7.4 mi 9m
State Highway 64 5.4 mi 6m
East Oak Street 1.8 mi 3m
Longest stretch: I 40 — 113.8 mi, about 1h 53m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Fayetteville, AR and Jonesboro, AR.

1

Start on this road

320 ft · 28 sec · this road
2

Turn left onto South College Avenue

0.1 mi · 16 sec · South College Avenue
3

Continue on South Nelson Hackett Boulevard

0.4 mi · 53 sec · South Nelson Hackett Boulevard
4

Turn slight left onto South School Avenue

0.1 mi · 20 sec · South School Avenue
5

Turn right onto AR 180

0.9 mi · 2 min · West Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
Use the right lane.
6

Turn left onto AR 16

1.4 mi · 2 min · South Razorback Road
Use the left lane.
7

Continue on AR 265

0.4 mi · 40 sec · South Cato Springs Road
8

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 19 sec
Use the left lane.
9

Merge onto I 49

40 mi · 40 min · I 49
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 49 sec
Toward I 40 East: Alma, Little Rock
11

Merge onto I 40; US 71

114 mi · 1 hr 53 min · I 40; US 71
12

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 30 sec
Toward US 64
13

Keep slight left at fork

212 ft · 8 sec
14

Turn left onto US 64

1.8 mi · 3 min · East Oak Street
15

Continue on US 64

5.4 mi · 6 min · State Highway 64
16

Continue on US 64

26 mi · 32 min · Vilonia Bypass
Use the straight lane.
17

Take the exit onto US 64

75 mi · 1 hr 17 min · US 64
18

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward AR 226: Jonesboro
19

Keep slight right at fork

346 ft · 8 sec
20

Merge onto US 78; AR 226

12 mi · 13 min · US 78; AR 226
21

Continue on US 49; US 63; US 78

7.4 mi · 9 min · Southwest Drive
22

Continue on South Main Street

1.4 mi · 2 min · South Main Street
23

Turn right onto Cate Avenue

207 ft · 14 sec · Cate Avenue
24

Turn left

75 ft · 5 sec
25

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the 5-hour and 10-minute duration, starting your trip from Fayetteville in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing. The 288-mile distance means you'll want to keep an eye on fuel, especially with an estimated cost of $43; plan a fill-up before you leave or midway through your longest stretch on I-40. Being a highway-centric route, ensure your vehicle is in good condition for sustained driving.

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 144 miles from Fayetteville, AR, or about 2h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 113.8 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 63 miles or 1h 7m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 144 miles or 2h 28m 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 12m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jonesboro, AR than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Fayetteville, 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 Fayetteville, AR

This is one driving day of about 288 miles and 5h 10m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Fayetteville, 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 113.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Conway, AR, AR

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Conway, AR

144 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Popular next leg

Conway, AR to Jonesboro, AR

130.5 mi · 2h 29m

Pacing Suggestions

Alma, AR

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 63 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Conway, AR

Meal break

The midpoint is around 144 miles from Fayetteville, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 113.8 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Hunan Restaurant

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Newport, Arkansas

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 246.8

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18705234600

Sonic Drive-In

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Jonesboro, Arkansas

2.8 mi

Sonic Drive-In

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour Inexpensiv mile 288

Jonesboro, Arkansas

Hours: 6 am–10:30 pm

+18709357850

Visit website

Hunan Restaurant

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 246.8

Newport, Arkansas

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18705234600

Subway

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour Inexpensiv mile 288

Jonesboro, Arkansas

Hours: 9 am–10 pm

+18709728880

Visit website

Sonic Drive-In

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour Inexpensiv mile 288

Jonesboro, Arkansas

Hours: 6 am–10:30 pm

+18709316433

Visit website

Crosswoods Restaurant & Sports Club

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour Moderately mile 82.3

Clarksville, Arkansas

Hours: 3 pm–12 am

+14797548080

Visit website

Mandalay Fusion

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20

Farmington, Arkansas

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14792679494

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 246.8

Newport, Arkansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 288

Jonesboro, Arkansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 288

Jonesboro, Arkansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

3.3 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 288

Jonesboro, Arkansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 246.8

Newport, Arkansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 288

Jonesboro, Arkansas

+18668167584

Visit website

Craighead Forest Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 288

Jonesboro, Arkansas

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+18709334604

Visit website

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 0.1 and 44 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | South College Avenue

Turn left onto South College Avenue

Navigation decision point

6
0.7 mi into trip | ~1m in | AR 180 / West Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard

Turn right onto AR 180 / West Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
5
1.6 mi into trip | ~4m in | AR 16 / South Razorback Road

Turn left onto AR 16 / South Razorback Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
5
3.6 mi into trip | ~7m in | I 49

Merge onto I 49

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
44 mi into trip | ~48m 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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$43.49 one way

$86.99 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 101 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $47.75 $95.49
premium $4.56 $51.69 $103.39
diesel $5.61 $63.59 $127.17

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$43

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$68–$93

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 100.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 86.4 1 $30.24 $13.82
Efficient EV 72 0 $25.20 $11.52
EV Truck/SUV 115.2 1 $40.32 $18.43

Gas CO2

101 kg

EV CO2

34 kg (66% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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

Fayetteville, AR

Evening in Fayetteville on Saturday

Local time

8:29 PM

CDT

Current temp

72°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Jonesboro, AR

Evening in Jonesboro on Saturday

Local time

8:29 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

4 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

5h 10m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused experience for 86% of this 288-mile trip, primarily on interstates and major US highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 113.8 miles on I-40, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of your drive. While not overly technical, the route transitions between different major roadways, so staying aware of your navigation is key. The character of the drive is largely about covering ground efficiently rather than winding scenic byways.

86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 113.8 mi on I 40.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and US 64. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near South College Avenue.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 288 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (South College Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles (AR 180 / West Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.6 miles (AR 16 / South Razorback Road): 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.

On the drive from Fayetteville, AR to Jonesboro, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Little Rock along the way.

Little Rock

44 mi in | ~48m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 10m. Total distance: 288 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 113.8 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.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Jonesboro, AR before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

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 0.1 miles (South College Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles (AR 180 / West Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.6 miles (AR 16 / South Razorback Road): Lane positioning matters here.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Jonesboro, AR before the return drive.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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