This 179-mile drive from Glenwood, Arkansas to Springdale, Arkansas is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in a single day. Plan for about 3 hours and 45 minutes of driving time, with a fuel cost estimated around $27. The route primarily utilizes US 71 and I-49, making it a largely efficient trip. With 89% of the drive on highways, you'll experience a consistent pace. This is a perfect day trip if you're looking to cover ground efficiently between these two Southeast Arkansas locations.
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
89.5 miles from Glenwood, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 1m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 71
71 mi
1h 24m
I 49
46.4 mi
47m
US 270
32 mi
39m
North 1st Street
13 mi
22m
AR 27
8.5 mi
14m
South Thompson Street
3.3 mi
5m
Fulbright Expressway
2.2 mi
2m
North College Avenue
1.3 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
US 71
— 71 mi, about 1h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Glenwood, AR and Springdale, AR.
1
Start on North 2nd Street
91 ft·6 sec·North 2nd Street
2
Turn right onto US 70B
312 ft·10 sec·Broadway Street
3
Turn right onto AR 8
13 mi·22 min·North 1st Street
4
Turn right onto AR 27
8.5 mi·14 min·AR 27
5
Turn left onto US 270; AR 27
32 mi·39 min·US 270; AR 27
6
At end of road, turn right onto US 71
54 mi·1 hr 6 min·US 71
7
Take the exit onto US 71
12 mi·14 min·US 71
Toward 540 North
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 71
4.6 mi·4 min·US 71
Toward I 40 East: Little Rock, MemphisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 49 North: FayettevilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 49
46 mi·47 min·I 49
Use the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 71B
2.2 mi·2 min·Fulbright Expressway
Exit 67BToward US 71B: Fayetteville Business DistrictUse the slight right lane.
12
Continue on US 71B
1.3 mi·2 min·North College Avenue
13
Continue on US 71B
3.3 mi·5 min·South Thompson Street
14
Turn right onto West Johnson Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·West Johnson Avenue
15
At end of road, turn left onto North Commercial Street
119 ft·5 sec·North Commercial Street
16
Arrive at destination
North Commercial Street
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 3-hour and 45-minute duration, this trip from Glenwood to Springdale is best tackled in one go. Aim to depart in the morning to make the most of your day. You'll cover 179 miles, with the longest stretch being 71 miles on US 71, so consider a brief stop around the halfway point for fuel or a stretch. The $27 fuel cost is a helpful budget marker. As this route is heavily highway-focused, pay attention to signage for US 71 and I-49 to ensure you stay on track.
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 89.5 miles from Glenwood, AR, or about 2h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 71 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 39 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 89.5 miles or 2h 1m 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 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Springdale, AR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Glenwood, 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 Glenwood, AR
This is one driving day of about 179 miles and 3h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Glenwood, 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 71 for about 71 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Final third
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
$1 to $10
Fort Smith, Arkansas
Hours: 8 am–5 pm
+14797631047
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 171.7 — 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|US 70B / Broadway Street
Turn right onto US 70B / Broadway Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|AR 8 / North 1st Street
Turn right onto AR 8 / North 1st Street
Navigation decision point
8
120 mi into trip|~2h 38m in|US 71
Keep slight right at fork onto US 71 toward I 40 East: Little Rock, Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 40 East: Little Rock, Memphis
6
124.6 mi into trip|~2h 42m in
Take the exit toward I 49 North: Fayetteville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 49 North: Fayetteville
8
171.7 mi into trip|~3h 31m in|US 71B / Fulbright Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 71B / Fulbright Expressway toward US 71B: Fayetteville Business District
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 67B
Toward US 71B: Fayetteville Business District
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.03 one way
$54.07 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg63 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$29.68
$59.35
premium
$4.56
$32.13
$64.26
diesel
$5.61
$39.52
$79.04
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
53.7
0
$18.79
$8.59
Efficient EV
44.8
0
$15.66
$7.16
EV Truck/SUV
71.6
0
$25.06
$11.46
Gas CO2
63 kg
EV CO2
21 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 Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Glenwood, AR
Late night
in Glenwood on Tuesday
Local time
3:47 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Springdale, AR
Late night
in Springdale on Tuesday
Local time
3:47 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
78°F
Booneville, AR
90 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
24 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 45m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Your drive will be predominantly highway, with 89% of the route utilizing major roadways like US 71 and I-49. Expect a consistent, fast-paced experience for most of the 179 miles. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 71 miles on US 71, offering a substantial period of steady driving. While the profile is highway-focused, keep an eye out for potential transitions between these main roads as you progress toward Springdale.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 71 mi on US 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 71 and I 49. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 70B / Broadway Street.
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 179 miles you will encounter 11 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: near the start (US 70B / Broadway Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (AR 8 / North 1st Street): Navigation decision point; at 120 miles (US 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. 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.
On the drive from Glenwood, AR to Springdale, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Memphis along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 45m. Total distance: 179 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 71 miles on US 71. 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 (US 70B / Broadway Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (AR 8 / North 1st Street): Navigation decision point; at 120 miles (US 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Springdale, AR, but most travelers stay overnight.
