Traveling from Hot Springs to Tennessee, Arkansas, covers 118.4 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 23 minutes. This straightforward journey is best suited for a single-day trip, as the duration is manageable without needing an overnight stop. Budgeting approximately $18 for fuel will cover your transit across this portion of the Southeast. You will primarily utilize a combination of US 270, Highway 530, and US 425 to navigate between these two points. Because both locations are situated within Arkansas, you will experience a consistent regional feel throughout your time on the road. It is a practical, efficient route that gets you from point A to point B without unnecessary complexity.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
59.2 miles from Hot Springs, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 11m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 270
45.9 mi
53m
Highway 530
22.9 mi
26m
US 425
15.7 mi
20m
Malvern Road
12.4 mi
14m
I 530
9.9 mi
11m
Malvern Avenue
5.2 mi
7m
West Gaines Avenue
2.6 mi
4m
Highway 11
2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
US 270
— 45.9 mi, about 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hot Springs, AR and Tennessee, AR.
1
Start on US 70B; US 270B
82 ft·8 sec·West Grand Avenue
2
Continue on US 70B; US 270B
0.5 mi·55 sec·West Grand Avenue
3
Turn right onto US 270B
5.2 mi·7 min·Malvern Avenue
4
Continue on US 270
12 mi·14 min·Malvern Road
5
Take the exit onto US 270
1.5 mi·1 min·US 270
6
Take the exit onto US 270
0.4 mi·40 sec·US 270
Toward US 270 East: Malvern
7
Turn right onto US 270
44 mi·50 min·US 270
Use the straight lane.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
9
Merge onto I 530; US 65
9.9 mi·11 min·I 530; US 65
10
Take the exit
0.7 mi·52 sec
Exit 44Toward AR 530 South: Star City, Monticello
11
Continue on AR 530
23 mi·26 min·Highway 530
12
At end of road, turn left onto AR 11
2.0 mi·2 min·Highway 11
13
Turn right onto US 425
16 mi·20 min·US 425
14
Take the exit
226 ft·6 sec
15
Turn slight right onto US 278
2.6 mi·4 min·West Gaines Avenue
16
Turn left onto Tennessee Spur Road
0.3 mi·1 min·Tennessee Spur Road
17
Arrive at destination
Tennessee Spur Road
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though hitting the road early helps you avoid potential congestion. Given the 2-hour and 23-minute duration, you likely won't require formal rest stops, but planning for a quick break after the 45.9-mile stretch on US 270 can help keep you fresh. Keep your $18 fuel budget in mind, and consider topping off your tank before leaving Hot Springs to ensure you have plenty of range for the full 118.4 miles. Because the route relies heavily on major highways, keep an eye on traffic reports for US 270 and US 425 before you head out to ensure the most efficient travel time.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 59.2 miles from Hot Springs, AR, or about 1h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 45.9 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 26 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.2 miles or 1h 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tennessee, 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 118.4 miles and 2h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Hot Springs, AR.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 270 for about 45.9 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 0.5 and 97.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.5 mi into trip|~1m in|US 270B / Malvern Avenue
Turn right onto US 270B / Malvern Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
18 mi into trip|~23m in|US 270
Take the exit onto US 270
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
5
19.9 mi into trip|~25m in|US 270
Turn right onto US 270
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
74.1 mi into trip|~1h 28m in
Take the exit toward AR 530 South: Star City, Monticello
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 44
Toward AR 530 South: Star City, Monticello
5
97.8 mi into trip|~1h 55m in|AR 11 / Highway 11
At end of road, turn left onto AR 11 / Highway 11
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.88 one way
$35.76 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg41 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$19.63
$39.26
premium
$4.56
$21.25
$42.50
diesel
$5.61
$26.14
$52.28
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
35.5
0
$12.43
$5.68
Efficient EV
29.6
0
$10.36
$4.74
EV Truck/SUV
47.4
0
$16.58
$7.58
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (66% 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 14, 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
Tennessee, AR
Late night
in Tennessee on Sunday
Local time
3:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Partly Cloudy
SSW 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
74°F
Sheridan, AR
59 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
10 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
2h 23m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 highway-focused drive is defined by its efficiency, with 81% of the trip spent on major thoroughfares. You will experience a mix of road types, anchored by a longest uninterrupted stretch of 45.9 miles along US 270. The transition between these specific highways keeps the driving rhythm steady, allowing for consistent progress toward your destination. Expect a functional transit experience rather than a winding backroads adventure, as the infrastructure is designed to prioritize speed and directness. Staying alert is key during these longer highway segments where the terrain remains relatively predictable.
81% 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: 45.9 mi on US 270.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 270 and Highway 530. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near US 270B / Malvern Avenue.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 23m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (US 270B / Malvern Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 18 miles (US 270): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 19.9 miles (US 270): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
590 ft205 ft
Total Climb
573 ft
Total Descent
926 ft
Highest Point
590 ft
Elevation Range
386 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 Tennessee, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Monticello along the way.
Tennessee is a US state in the South known for its rich history, music, and the Appalachian Mountains along its eastern border. Many visitors come to see Elvis Presley's home, Graceland, or the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
The longest stretch is about 45.9 miles on US 270. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 0.5 miles (US 270B / Malvern Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 18 miles (US 270): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 19.9 miles (US 270): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Hot Springs National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Tennessee, AR before heading back.
