Spanning 239.1 miles across Arkansas, this trip from Hope to Jonesboro is a straightforward journey typically taking about 4 hours and 14 minutes. Because the route is compact, you can comfortably complete the drive in a single day, making it an efficient choice for those looking to traverse the state quickly. You should budget approximately $32 for fuel to cover the distance. Since both cities are located within the Southeast region of Arkansas, you will experience a consistent regional feel throughout your travels. It serves as a practical, highway-focused connection between two major hubs, ideal for travelers prioritizing speed and reliability over wandering backroads.
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
119.6 miles from Hope, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 6m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 30
111.1 mi
1h 54m
I 57
102.7 mi
1h 46m
US 78
12.1 mi
13m
Southwest Drive
7.4 mi
9m
South Hazel Street
1.6 mi
2m
US 67
1.6 mi
2m
South Main Street
1.4 mi
2m
East 3rd Street
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 30
— 111.1 mi, about 1h 54m
Traffic on I-30
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,305 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,759
Quietest
2 AM
~288 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
4.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 61 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 Hope, AR and Jonesboro, AR.
1
Start on US 67; US 278B; AR 29B
0.1 mi·21 sec·East 3rd Street
2
Turn left onto AR 29B
1.6 mi·2 min·South Hazel Street
3
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·49 sec
4
Merge onto I 30
106 mi·1 hr 48 min·I 30
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30; US 67
0.7 mi·49 sec·I 30; US 67
6
Continue on I 30; US 65; US 67; US 167
4.2 mi·5 min·I 30; US 65; US 67; US 167
7
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
8
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.
9
Continue on I 57; US 64; US 167
74 mi·1 hr 16 min·I 57; US 64; US 167
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward AR 226: Jonesboro
11
Keep slight right at fork
346 ft·8 sec
12
Merge onto US 78; AR 226
12 mi·13 min·US 78; AR 226
13
Continue on US 49; US 63; US 78
7.4 mi·9 min·Southwest Drive
14
Continue on South Main Street
1.4 mi·2 min·South Main Street
15
Turn right onto Cate Avenue
207 ft·14 sec·Cate Avenue
16
Turn left
75 ft·5 sec
17
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Planning a single stop is your best strategy to keep the 4-hour and 14-minute duration manageable. Since this is an interstate-heavy route, try to depart early in the morning to beat potential congestion on the main highways. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $32 estimated cost can fluctuate depending on your vehicle's efficiency and current gas prices. Because you are primarily using I-30 and I-57, stay alert for standard highway traffic patterns that could impact your arrival time in Jonesboro. Embracing the flexibility of a one-day trip allows you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay, keeping your travel schedule simple and stress-free.
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 119.6 miles from Hope, AR, or about 2h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.1 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 53 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119.6 miles or 2h 6m 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 25m
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 Hope, 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 Hope, AR
This is one driving day of about 239.1 miles and 4h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Hope, 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 30 for about 111.1 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 217.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|AR 29B / South Hazel Street
Turn left onto AR 29B / South Hazel Street
Navigation decision point
4
108.4 mi into trip|~1h 52m in|I 30; US 67
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30; US 67
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
7
113.3 mi into trip|~1h 59m 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
114.9 mi into trip|~2h 1m 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
4
217.5 mi into trip|~3h 47m in
Take the exit toward AR 226: Jonesboro
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward AR 226: Jonesboro
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.60 one way
$73.20 round trip
$3.89/gal25.4 MPG avg84 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.31
$40.53
$81.07
premium
$4.65
$43.76
$87.53
diesel
$6.28
$59.08
$118.16
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
71.7
0
$25.11
$11.48
Efficient EV
59.8
0
$20.92
$9.56
EV Truck/SUV
95.6
1
$33.47
$15.30
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Hope, AR
Morning
in Hope on Thursday
Local time
6:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Sunny
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Jonesboro, AR
Morning
in Jonesboro on Thursday
Local time
6:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Sunny
ESE 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive 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
4h 14m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Hot Springs National Park
National Park
Hot Springs National Park has a rich cultural past. The grand architecture of our historic bathhouses is equally matched by the natural curiosities that have been drawing people here for hundreds of y...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highly efficient experience, as 95% of this route consists of highway driving. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-30, I-57, and US-78, which facilitate a steady pace across the landscape. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 111.1 miles on I-30, allowing you to settle into a consistent rhythm behind the wheel. While the journey is largely an interstate grind, the high highway percentage ensures you avoid the frequent stops of local surface roads. It is a no-nonsense transit experience that emphasizes direct, predictable travel from one end of the state to the other.
95% 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: 111.1 mi on I 30.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 30 and I 57. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near AR 29B / South Hazel Street.
Driving Effort6/10
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 239.1 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: at 0.1 miles (AR 29B / South Hazel Street): Navigation decision point; at 108.4 miles (I 30; US 67): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 113.3 miles (US 67; US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
362 ft198 ft
Total Climb
207 ft
Total Descent
235 ft
Highest Point
362 ft
~17.1 mi in
Elevation Range
164 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hope, AR and Jonesboro, AR, road signs point toward Memphis and Saint Louis.
Hope is a town in the Timberlands region of Arkansas. It is best known for its annual watermelon festival and for being the birthplace of former US President Bill Clinton.
Top landmarks
•President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home National Historic Site — birthplace of former US president Bill Clinton
•Hope — train station in Hope, Arkansas
•Hempstead County Courthouse — county courthouse in Hope, United States of America
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 14m. Total distance: 239.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 111.1 miles on I 30. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 2 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 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. There are 2 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (AR 29B / South Hazel Street): Navigation decision point; at 108.4 miles (I 30; US 67): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 113.3 miles (US 67; US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Hot Springs National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Jonesboro, AR, but most travelers stay overnight.
