For a straightforward trek through Southeast Arkansas, the 118.3-mile journey from Hot Springs to Texarkana is an ideal day trip. You can expect to spend about 1 hour and 55 minutes behind the wheel, making it a manageable drive that doesn't require an overnight stay. Since the route relies on local thoroughfares like Central Avenue, Jefferson Avenue, and East 24th Street rather than major interstates, you should budget approximately $18 for fuel. This path offers a direct connection between these two historic Arkansas cities without the complexity of cross-country logistics. It is a practical choice if you prefer a steady, local-focused pace over the high-speed monotony of the interstate system.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
55 miles from Hot Springs, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 1m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 30
76.3 mi
1h 16m
Central Avenue
30.7 mi
36m
Jefferson Avenue
1.9 mi
3m
East 24th Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Hickory Street
0.3 mi
<1m
East 20th Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
West Grand Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 30
— 76.3 mi, about 1h 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hot Springs, AR and Texarkana, AR.
1
Start on US 70B; US 270B
82 ft·8 sec·West Grand Avenue
2
Turn left onto AR 7
12 mi·15 min·Central Avenue
3
Continue on AR 7
19 mi·21 min·Central Avenue
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
5
Merge onto I 30
76 mi·1 hr 16 min·I 30
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·33 sec
Toward Jefferson Avenue
7
Turn left onto Jefferson Avenue
1.9 mi·3 min·Jefferson Avenue
8
Turn right onto East 24th Street
0.4 mi·45 sec·East 24th Street
9
Turn left onto Hickory Street
0.3 mi·38 sec·Hickory Street
10
Turn right onto East 20th Street
485 ft·21 sec·East 20th Street
11
Arrive at destination
East 20th Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though planning for a midday start can help you navigate local traffic more comfortably. Because the route is designed as a direct 1 hour and 55 minute drive with zero official stops, you should consider your personal comfort needs before heading out. Keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of the roads means you will be active behind the wheel for the duration of the trip, so plan for a quick stretch break if you feel fatigued. To make the most of your $18 fuel budget, ensure your tank is topped off before leaving Hot Springs, as the local road infrastructure may offer fewer convenient fueling options compared to major highway corridors.
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 55 miles from Hot Springs, AR, or about 1h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 76.3 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 24 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 55 miles or 1h 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 1h 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Texarkana, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Hot Springs, AR
This is one driving day of about 110.1 miles and 1h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Hot Springs, AR.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 30 for about 76.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Home stretch
2.1 mi from route
~5 min detour
$10 to $20
Texarkana, Texas
Hours: 5:30–11 pm
+19037923222
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 8
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 110 — 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|AR 7 / Central Avenue
Turn left onto AR 7 / Central Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
107.3 mi into trip|~1h 54m in
Take the exit toward Jefferson Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward Jefferson Avenue
4
107.5 mi into trip|~1h 54m in|Jefferson Avenue
Turn left onto Jefferson Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
109.7 mi into trip|~1h 58m in|Hickory Street
Turn left onto Hickory Street
Navigation decision point
5
110 mi into trip|~1h 59m in|East 20th Street
Turn right onto East 20th Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.63 one way
$33.26 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg39 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$18.25
$36.51
premium
$4.56
$19.76
$39.52
diesel
$5.61
$24.31
$48.62
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
33
0
$11.56
$5.28
Efficient EV
27.5
0
$9.63
$4.40
EV Truck/SUV
44
0
$15.41
$7.05
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 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
3:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Texarkana, AR
Late night
in Texarkana on Tuesday
Local time
3:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live 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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 59m 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.
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 drive is defined by its turn-heavy, local nature, offering a completely different experience than a standard highway cruise. Because the route contains zero percent highway share, you will remain on local roads for the entirety of the 118.3-mile distance. Navigating these segments requires more focus than an interstate drive, as you will be managing transitions through various local streets rather than maintaining a consistent cruise-control speed. The lack of long, uninterrupted stretches means the personality of the road shifts frequently as you move from Hot Springs toward the Texarkana area. Prepare for a hands-on driving experience where the focus is on local navigation rather than rapid transit.
69% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
11 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 76.3 mi on I 30.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 30 and Central Avenue. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near AR 7 / Central Avenue.
Driving Effort2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Hot Springs, AR to Texarkana, AR is easy. At 1h 59m with 69% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (AR 7 / Central Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 107.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 107.5 miles (Jefferson Avenue): Navigation decision point.
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.
The longest stretch is about 76.3 miles on I 30. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (AR 7 / Central Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 107.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 107.5 miles (Jefferson Avenue): Navigation decision point.
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 Texarkana, AR before heading back.
