Origin
Hughes, AR
Evening in Hughes on Saturday
Local time
8:30 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Hughes, AR to Fayetteville, AR
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 19m
Distance
297.5 mi
479 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$45
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 6m
★
6 AM
5h 20m
8 AM
5h 47m
10 AM
5h 29m
12 PM
5h 26m
3 PM
5h 30m
5 PM
5h 45m
8 PM
5h 12m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hughes, AR
ARMAN ALCORDO JR.
Trip Overview
This 297.5-mile journey from Hughes to Fayetteville, Arkansas, is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 5 hours and 19 minutes. The route is predominantly highway-focused, with 94% of the drive utilizing major interstates, specifically I-40 and I-49, before concluding on Main Street. With a projected fuel cost of around $45, it's an efficient trip for those looking to cover ground. While it's a manageable day trip, the longest continuous stretch is a significant 234.2 miles on I-40, so be prepared for extended periods on the interstate. This drive stays within the Southeast region of Arkansas.
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
148.7 miles from Hughes, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 45m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 234.2 mi | 3h 56m |
| I 49 | 40.3 mi | 40m |
| Main Street | 11.9 mi | 20m |
| AR 50 | 4.2 mi | 7m |
| North Jefferson Street | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| South Razorback Road | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| West Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| South Nelson Hackett Boulevard | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 234.2 mi, about 3h 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hughes, AR and Fayetteville, AR.
1
Start on Jeff Davis Street
123 ft
·
7 sec
·
Jeff Davis Street
2
Turn right onto Cowan Street North
335 ft
·
15 sec
·
Cowan Street North
3
Turn right onto AR 38
12 mi
·
20 min
·
Main Street
4
Turn left onto AR 50
4.2 mi
·
7 min
·
AR 50
5
Turn right onto AR 50
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
North Jefferson Street
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
7
Merge onto I 40
234 mi
·
3 hr 56 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Toward I 49 North: Fayetteville
9
Continue on I 49
40 mi
·
40 min
·
I 49
Use the slight right lane.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
Toward AR 112, AR 265
11
Turn slight right onto AR 265
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
South Cato Springs Road
12
Continue on South Razorback Road
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
South Razorback Road
13
Turn right onto AR 180
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
West Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Turn left onto South School Avenue
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
South School Avenue
Use the left lane.
15
Turn slight right onto South Nelson Hackett Boulevard
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
·
South Nelson Hackett Boulevard
16
Continue on South College Avenue
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
South College Avenue
17
Turn right onto East Center Street
147 ft
·
8 sec
·
East Center Street
18
Turn right
79 ft
·
5 sec
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5-hour and 19-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Hughes to maximize daylight and minimize traffic. With a fuel cost estimated at $45, it's wise to fill up before leaving Hughes. The longest stretch without a major change in road type is 234.2 miles on I-40, so plan for at least one substantial stop for fuel and a break around the halfway point. Given the highway focus, utilize rest areas or services conveniently located along I-40 and I-49.
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 148.7 miles from Hughes, AR, or about 2h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 234.2 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 65 miles or 1h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 148.7 miles or 2h 45m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fayetteville, AR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Hughes, 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 Hughes, AR
This is one driving day of about 297.5 miles and 5h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 miles from Hughes, 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 40 for about 234.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
149 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 65 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 148.7 miles from Hughes, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 234.2 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 19 and 297.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
19 mi into trip
|
~33m in
|
I 40
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
293.8 mi into trip
|
~5h 11m in
Take the exit toward AR 112, AR 265
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward AR 112, AR 265
5
295.9 mi into trip
|
~5h 15m in
|
AR 180 / West Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
Turn right onto AR 180 / West Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
296.8 mi into trip
|
~5h 17m in
|
South School Avenue
Turn left onto South School Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
297.4 mi into trip
|
~5h 19m in
|
East Center Street
Turn right onto East Center Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.93 one way
$89.86 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
104 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $49.32 | $98.64 |
| premium | $4.56 | $53.40 | $106.80 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $65.68 | $131.37 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 104.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 89.3 | 1 | $31.24 | $14.28 |
| Efficient EV | 74.4 | 0 | $26.03 | $11.90 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 119 | 1 | $41.65 | $19.04 |
Gas CO2
104 kg
EV CO2
35 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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.
Destination
Fayetteville, AR
Evening in Fayetteville on Saturday
Local time
8:30 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°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
5 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
5h 19m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-centric experience for the vast majority of this trip, with 94% of the 297.5 miles on interstates. You'll spend a considerable amount of time on I-40, including a long, uninterrupted stretch of 234.2 miles. The transition to I-49 will offer a slight shift in scenery and road feel before you eventually navigate through local streets on Main Street in Fayetteville. This route is built for steady progress rather than winding exploration.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 234.2 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 49. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 19 miles in near I 40.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 19m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 19 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 293.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 295.9 miles (AR 180 / West Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 19m. Total distance: 297.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 234.2 miles on I 40. 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.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 19 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 293.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 295.9 miles (AR 180 / West Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Fayetteville, AR before the return drive.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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