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Trip from Fayetteville, AR to Tennessee, AR

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

Drive Time

4h 56m

Distance

277.9 mi

447 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$42

one way

EV Charging

Fair

2 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
4h 43m ★
6 AM
4h 57m
8 AM
5h 24m
10 AM
5h 6m
12 PM
5h 4m
3 PM
5h 8m
5 PM
5h 23m
8 PM
4h 49m

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

If you are planning a trip from Fayetteville to Tennessee, Arkansas, expect a focused 277.9-mile journey that spans approximately 4 hours and 56 minutes. Since this route is almost entirely highway-based, it is perfectly manageable as a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. You should budget roughly $42 for fuel to cover the distance. Navigating through the Southeast, the drive relies heavily on I-49, I-530, and I-40 to keep you moving efficiently. Because this is a straightforward, highway-focused route, it serves as a practical connection between these two points rather than a slow-paced sightseeing tour.

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

138.9 miles from Fayetteville, AR

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 24m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 40 140.4 mi 2h 21m
I 530 43.9 mi 45m
I 49 40.4 mi 40m
Highway 530 22.9 mi 26m
US 425 15.7 mi 20m
US 65 4.6 mi 6m
West Gaines Avenue 2.6 mi 4m
Highway 11 2 mi 2m
Longest stretch: I 40 — 140.4 mi, about 2h 21m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Fayetteville, AR and Tennessee, 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

140 mi · 2 hr 21 min · I 40; US 71
12

Take the exit onto US 65

4.6 mi · 6 min · US 65
13

Keep slight left at fork onto I 530; US 65; US 167

44 mi · 45 min · I 530; US 65; US 167
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
14

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 52 sec
Exit 44 Toward AR 530 South: Star City, Monticello
15

Continue on AR 530

23 mi · 26 min · Highway 530
16

At end of road, turn left onto AR 11

2.0 mi · 2 min · Highway 11
17

Turn right onto US 425

16 mi · 20 min · US 425
18

Take the exit

226 ft · 6 sec
19

Turn slight right onto US 278

2.6 mi · 4 min · West Gaines Avenue
20

Turn left onto Tennessee Spur Road

0.3 mi · 1 min · Tennessee Spur Road
21

Arrive at destination

Tennessee Spur Road

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 4-hour and 56-minute drive, try to depart early in the morning to avoid peak traffic on the busier interstate segments. Although the trip is short enough to complete in one go, you should plan for at least one stop to break up the monotony of the long highway stretches. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, especially when transitioning between the major interstates, to stay within your $42 budget. Since the route is 97% highway, use your cruise control to maintain a steady pace during the 140.4-mile stretch on I-40. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, so feel free to adjust your departure time to bypass potential congestion on the main arterial roads.

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 138.9 miles from Fayetteville, AR, or about 2h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 140.4 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 61 miles or 1h 5m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 138.9 miles or 2h 24m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 56m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tennessee, 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 277.9 miles and 4h 56m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 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 140.4 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

139 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 Tennessee, AR

120.4 mi · 2h 17m

Pacing Suggestions

Alma, AR

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 61 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Conway, AR

Meal break

The midpoint is around 138.9 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 140.4 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

Chick-fil-A

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Russellville, Arkansas

Around the midpoint, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour Inexpensiv mile 119.1

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+14799670220

Visit website

Chick-fil-A

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour Inexpensiv mile 119.1

Russellville, Arkansas

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+14799670220

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

Grider Field Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

5 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 238.2

Pine Bluff, Arkansas

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+18705364293

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 158.8

Conway, Arkansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 158.8

Conway, Arkansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

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 0.1 and 233.5 — 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.
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
6
189.6 mi into trip | ~3h 16m in | I 530; US 65; US 167

Keep slight left at fork onto I 530; US 65; US 167

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
6
233.5 mi into trip | ~4h 1m in

Take the exit toward AR 530 South: Star City, Monticello

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 44 Toward AR 530 South: Star City, Monticello

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$41.97 one way

$83.94 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 97 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $46.07 $92.14
premium $4.56 $49.88 $99.76
diesel $5.61 $61.36 $122.71

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$42

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$67–$92

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 97.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 83.4 1 $29.18 $13.34
Efficient EV 69.5 0 $24.32 $11.12
EV Truck/SUV 111.2 1 $38.91 $17.79

Gas CO2

97 kg

EV CO2

33 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

Tennessee, AR

Evening in Tennessee on Saturday

Local time

8:29 PM

CDT

Current temp

77°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

5 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

4h 56m 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?

Prepare for an interstate-heavy experience, as 97% of this trip takes place on major highways. You will spend a significant portion of your time on I-40, which features the route's longest uninterrupted stretch of 140.4 miles. Because the road is designed for efficiency, you can expect a consistent, fast-paced drive that prioritizes speed over local winding roads. While the landscape remains within the Southeast region, the transition between these interstates dictates the overall rhythm of your day behind the wheel. Expect a monotonous but reliable commute that keeps you at highway speeds for the vast majority of your travel time.

97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 140.4 mi on I 40.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 530. 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 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 277.9 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 44 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Fayetteville, AR and Tennessee, AR, road signs point toward Little Rock and Monticello.

Little Rock

44 mi in | ~48m

Monticello

233.5 mi in | ~4h 1m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 56m. Total distance: 277.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 140.4 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 Tennessee, 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 44 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Tennessee, AR, but most travelers stay overnight.

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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