Gentry, AR to Pine Bluff, AR is 262 miles and takes about 4h 40m via I 40 and I 530, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Arkansas, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. Given its mostly highway profile and manageable duration, it's a straightforward drive for a single day. You'll mostly be on interstates, making for a predictable and efficient transit. Plan for a reliable, no-fuss trip across the state.
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
131 miles from Gentry, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 21m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
140.4 mi
2h 21m
I 49
51.4 mi
52m
I 530
35 mi
35m
US 412
17.8 mi
23m
US 65B
5.6 mi
9m
US 65
4.6 mi
6m
AR 59
4.4 mi
6m
South Gentry Boulevard
1.2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 140.4 mi, about 2h 21m
Traffic on I-530
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~852 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,084
Quietest
2 AM
~63 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
13.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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Averaged across 23 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gentry, AR and Pine Bluff, AR.
1
Start on AR 59B
67 ft·6 sec·East Main Street
2
Turn left onto AR 59B
0.5 mi·1 min·South Collins Avenue
3
At end of road, turn right onto AR 59
1.2 mi·2 min·South Gentry Boulevard
4
Continue on AR 59
4.3 mi·6 min·AR 59
5
Continue on AR 59
421 ft·14 sec·AR 59
Use the straight lane.
6
At end of road, turn left onto US 412
18 mi·23 min·US 412
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·15 sec
Use the right lane.
8
Merge onto I 49; US 62; US 71
51 mi·52 min·I 49; US 62; US 71
Use the straight lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·49 sec
Toward I 40 East: Alma, Little Rock
10
Merge onto I 40; US 71
140 mi·2 hr 21 min·I 40; US 71
11
Take the exit onto US 65
4.6 mi·6 min·US 65
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 530; US 65; US 167
35 mi·35 min·I 530; US 65; US 167
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit onto US 65B
5.6 mi·9 min·US 65B
14
Turn right onto North Pine Street
302 ft·18 sec·North Pine Street
15
Turn left onto West Barraque Street
312 ft·15 sec·West Barraque Street
16
Turn right onto South Main Street
349 ft·15 sec·South Main Street
17
Arrive at destination
South Main Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a single-day drive of under 5 hours, you have flexibility with your departure time. Leaving in the morning will give you plenty of daylight to arrive comfortably. The route has only one recommended stop, so plan your breaks strategically, perhaps around the halfway point or when you feel the need to stretch. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 140.4-mile stretch on I 40, as services can be spaced out on longer interstate segments. Your estimated fuel cost is $39.
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 131 miles from Gentry, AR, or about 2h 21m 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 58 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 131 miles or 2h 21m 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 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pine Bluff, AR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Gentry, 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 Gentry, AR
This is one driving day of about 262 miles and 4h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Gentry, 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.
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 6.2 and 221.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
6.2 mi into trip|~9m in|US 412
At end of road, turn left onto US 412
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
24 mi into trip|~32m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
24.3 mi into trip|~33m in|I 49; US 62; US 71
Merge onto I 49; US 62; US 71
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
75.7 mi into trip|~1h 25m 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
221.3 mi into trip|~3h 54m 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.59 one way
$71.17 round trip
$3.45/gal25.4 MPG avg92 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.85
$39.71
$79.43
premium
$4.15
$42.81
$85.61
diesel
$3.75
$38.68
$77.36
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
78.6
0
$27.51
$12.58
Efficient EV
65.5
0
$22.93
$10.48
EV Truck/SUV
104.8
1
$36.68
$16.77
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Gentry, AR
Morning
in Gentry on Monday
Local time
6:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Mostly Clear
SE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Pine Bluff, AR
Morning
in Pine Bluff on Monday
Local time
6:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Partly Cloudy
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
55°F
Delaware, AR
131 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 40m 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?
This route is almost entirely highway, with 99% of the 262 miles on interstates. You'll experience a long stretch of 140.4 miles on I 40, which means extended periods of consistent cruising. The transition to surface roads will be minimal, occurring very late in your drive. Expect a steady flow of traffic and frequent, though not overwhelming, exit activity as you approach your destination.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 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 49. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.2 miles in near US 412.
Driving Effort7/10
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 262 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 6.2 miles (US 412): Lane positioning matters here; at 24 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 24.3 miles (I 49; US 62; US 71): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,517 ft220 ft
Total Climb
582 ft
Total Descent
1,597 ft
Highest Point
1,517 ft
~56 mi in
Elevation Range
1,297 ft
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 Gentry, AR to Pine Bluff, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Little Rock along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 40m. Total distance: 262 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). 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.
Yes — we found about 17 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Pine Bluff, 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. There are 17 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 6.2 miles (US 412): Lane positioning matters here; at 24 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 24.3 miles (I 49; US 62; US 71): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Pine Bluff, AR, but most travelers stay overnight.
