If you are planning a trip from Hot Springs to Calico Rock, expect a 173.2-mile journey that takes approximately 4 hours and 26 minutes behind the wheel. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via US 70, AR 9, and West Grand Avenue as you travel through the Southeast region of Arkansas. Budgeting around $26 for fuel should cover your travel costs for the trip. Because the drive is under five hours, you have plenty of flexibility to adjust your departure time to suit your schedule. It serves as a straightforward connection between these two Arkansas towns, making it a practical choice for travelers looking to move efficiently between regions.
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
86.6 miles from Hot Springs, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 41m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 70
31.3 mi
35m
AR 9
26.4 mi
46m
West Grand Avenue
24.2 mi
30m
US Highway 65
23.1 mi
31m
Sylamore Avenue
22 mi
1h 1m
I 40
21.7 mi
21m
South Broadview Street
11.8 mi
16m
State Highway 9
7.3 mi
12m
Longest stretch:
US 70
— 31.3 mi, about 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hot Springs, AR and Calico Rock, 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
0.1 mi·15 sec·US 65; AR 9; AR 16
16
Continue on AR 9; AR 16
10 mi·18 min·AR 9; AR 16
17
Turn slight right onto AR 9
0.1 mi·14 sec·1st Street
18
Turn left onto AR 9
7.3 mi·12 min·State Highway 9
19
Turn right onto AR 9
16 mi·28 min·AR 9
20
At end of road, turn right onto AR 9
0.6 mi·59 sec·East Main Street
21
Turn left onto AR 5; AR 9; AR 14
22 mi·1 hr 1 min·Sylamore Avenue
22
Turn right onto AR 56
0.4 mi·41 sec·AR 56
23
Arrive at destination
AR 56
Trip Plan
To make the most of this drive, consider leaving early in the morning to account for the 4-hour and 26-minute travel time. Since the itinerary includes one recommended stop, plan to break up the 173.2 miles to keep your energy levels steady throughout the day. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition from the major arteries onto secondary roads like AR 9, as filling up before you leave Hot Springs helps you stick to your $26 fuel budget. Because this is a single-day trip, you have the advantage of carrying fewer supplies, but remember that the road character changes frequently, so stay alert during transitions between highway segments. Taking your designated stop after your longest 31.3-mile stretch on US 70 is a smart way to maintain your pace.
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 86.6 miles from Hot Springs, AR, or about 1h 41m 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 38 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86.6 miles or 1h 41m 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 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Calico Rock, 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 173.2 miles and 4h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 42.4 and 150.2 — 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
5
150.2 mi into trip|~3h 23m in|AR 9 / East Main Street
At end of road, turn right onto AR 9 / East Main Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.16 one way
$52.31 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg61 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$28.71
$57.43
premium
$4.56
$31.09
$62.17
diesel
$5.61
$38.24
$76.48
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
52
0
$18.19
$8.31
Efficient EV
43.3
0
$15.15
$6.93
EV Truck/SUV
69.3
0
$24.25
$11.08
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
20 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 15, 2026
Origin
Hot Springs, AR
Late night
in Hot Springs on Sunday
Local time
3:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Calico Rock, AR
Late night
in Calico Rock on Sunday
Local time
3:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
75°F
Clinton, AR
87 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
15 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 26m 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 173.2-mile drive is a highway-focused journey, with about 64% of your time spent on larger roads. You will settle into a rhythm on the highway, with your longest uninterrupted stretch lasting 31.3 miles while traveling on US 70. As you move away from the starting point, the road environment shifts, balancing the efficiency of highway travel with the transition onto local state routes like AR 9. Expect a mix of driving conditions that keep the experience from feeling like a monotonous interstate grind. You will find that the road demands consistent attention as it transitions between these different types of thoroughfares throughout the 4-hour and 26-minute duration.
64% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 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?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 70 and AR 9. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 42.4 miles in near US 70.
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 173.2 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 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.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,063 ft274 ft
Total Climb
1,860 ft
Total Descent
2,045 ft
Highest Point
1,063 ft
~129.9 mi in
Elevation Range
788 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 Hot Springs, AR to Calico Rock, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Oklahoma City along the way.
Oklahoma City
55.5 mi in|~1h 6m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 26m. Total distance: 173.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (64%). 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.
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: 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 8.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Calico Rock, AR, but most travelers stay overnight.
