Hot Springs, AR to Bull Shoals, AR is 191.4 miles and takes about 4h 22m via US 70 and US 65, with a fuel budget near $29 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Arkansas, heading north from the Southeast region. You'll spend most of your time on highways, making for a relatively quick transit. With only one recommended stop and a drive under five hours, this route is ideal for a single-day excursion, getting you to your destination with plenty of time to spare.
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
95.7 miles from Hot Springs, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 70
31.3 mi
35m
US 65
26.6 mi
36m
West Grand Avenue
24.2 mi
30m
State Highway 14
23.5 mi
41m
US Highway 65
23.1 mi
31m
I 40
21.7 mi
21m
South Broadview Street
11.8 mi
16m
AR 27
10.6 mi
18m
Longest stretch:
US 70
— 31.3 mi, about 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hot Springs, AR and Bull Shoals, AR.
1
Start on US 70B; US 270B
82 ft·8 sec·West Grand Avenue
2
Continue on US 70B; US 270B
24 mi·30 min·West Grand Avenue
3
Keep slight left at fork onto US 70
18 mi·20 min·US 70
4
Take the exit onto US 70
13 mi·15 min·US 70
Exit 129Toward I 430 North, US 70: Fort SmithUse the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·49 sec
Exit 13BToward I 40 West: Fort Smith, Oklahoma City
6
Merge onto I 40; US 65
22 mi·21 min·I 40; US 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit onto US 65
0.4 mi·50 sec·US 65
Toward US 65 North, US 65B South
8
Merge onto US 65
1.3 mi·2 min·Skyline Drive
9
Continue on US 65
3.2 mi·4 min·US Highway 65
10
Continue on US 65
12 mi·16 min·South Broadview Street
11
Continue on US 65
1.5 mi·1 min·US Highway 65
12
Continue on US 65
0.7 mi·56 sec·North Broadview Street
13
Continue on US 65
1.1 mi·1 min·South Broadway
14
Continue on US 65; Hwy 124
18 mi·25 min·US Highway 65
15
Continue on US 65; AR 9; AR 16
26 mi·36 min·US 65; AR 9; AR 16
16
Take the exit
208 ft·5 sec
17
Turn straight onto AR 27
11 mi·18 min·AR 27
18
Continue on AR 14
24 mi·41 min·State Highway 14
19
At end of road, turn right onto US 62; US 412
4.9 mi·5 min·US 62; US 412
Use the left lane.
20
Turn left onto AR 178
10 mi·17 min·AR 178
Use the left lane.
21
Turn left onto Broadway Avenue
36 ft·1 sec·Broadway Avenue
22
Arrive at destination
Broadway Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 22m duration, departing Hot Springs in the morning is your best bet to arrive in Bull Shoals with ample daylight. The route has only one recommended stop, so plan your breaks strategically, perhaps around the halfway point or where US 65 begins. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge; while the budget is around $29, it's always wise to fill up before leaving Hot Springs, especially since a significant portion is highway driving. This drive is easily manageable in one day, offering flexibility for spontaneous stops or an earlier arrival.
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 95.7 miles from Hot Springs, AR, or about 1h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 31.3 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 42 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 95.7 miles or 1h 54m 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 Bull Shoals, AR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Hot Springs, 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 Hot Springs, AR
This is one driving day of about 191.4 miles and 4h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Hot Springs, 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 70 for about 31.3 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 42.4 and 176.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
42.4 mi into trip|~51m in|US 70
Take the exit onto US 70 toward I 430 North, US 70: Fort Smith
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 129
Toward I 430 North, US 70: Fort Smith
7
55.5 mi into trip|~1h 6m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 40 West: Fort Smith, Oklahoma City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 13B
Toward I 40 West: Fort Smith, Oklahoma City
5
56.2 mi into trip|~1h 7m in|I 40; US 65
Merge onto I 40; US 65
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
77.8 mi into trip|~1h 29m in|US 65
Take the exit onto US 65 toward US 65 North, US 65B South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 65 North, US 65B South
7
176.6 mi into trip|~3h 59m in|US 62; US 412
At end of road, turn right onto US 62; US 412
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.91 one way
$57.81 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg67 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$31.73
$63.46
premium
$4.56
$34.35
$68.71
diesel
$5.61
$42.26
$84.52
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 67 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
57.4
0
$20.10
$9.19
Efficient EV
47.9
0
$16.75
$7.66
EV Truck/SUV
76.6
0
$26.80
$12.25
Gas CO2
67 kg
EV CO2
22 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
Hot Springs, AR
Late night
in Hot Springs on Tuesday
Local time
4:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bull Shoals, AR
Late night
in Bull Shoals on Tuesday
Local time
4:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
75°F
Clinton, AR
96 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
4 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 22m 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?
This route is mostly highway, with 79% of the drive on high-speed roads like US 70 and US 65. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 31.3 miles on US 70 before transitioning to more varied road types. Expect a steady pace for the majority of your travel, with the highway portion likely featuring fewer intersections and more open cruising.
79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 31.3 mi on US 70.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 70 and US 65. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 42.4 miles in near US 70.
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 10 significant decision points across 191.4 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 42.4 miles (US 70): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 55.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 56.2 miles (I 40; US 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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 Hot Springs, AR to Bull Shoals, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Oklahoma City along the way.
Hot Springs is a city in the Central region of Arkansas and home to Hot Springs National Park, a United States national park. It is also the childhood home of former President Bill Clinton.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 22m. Total distance: 191.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 31.3 miles on US 70. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 5 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 Bull Shoals, 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 5 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 42.4 miles (US 70): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 55.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 56.2 miles (I 40; US 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Hot Springs National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Bull Shoals, AR, but most travelers stay overnight.
