Origin
Johnson, AR
Morning in Johnson on Tuesday
Local time
7:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Johnson, AR to Little Rock, AR
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 14m
Distance
115.3 mi
186 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 5m
★
6 AM
2h 15m
8 AM
2h 33m
10 AM
2h 21m
12 PM
2h 19m
3 PM
2h 22m
5 PM
2h 32m
8 PM
2h 9m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Johnson, AR
Wikimedia Commons
Little Rock, AR
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 115.3-mile drive from Johnson, Arkansas, to Little Rock, Arkansas, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 14 minutes. With 89% of the journey on highways, it offers a straightforward travel experience. You can expect a fuel cost of around $17 for this route, making it an economical option. The drive remains within the Southeast region, providing a consistent regional feel. This route is ideal if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without extensive planning, fitting perfectly into a day's travel.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
57.7 miles from Johnson, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 12m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 96.8 mi | 1h 37m |
| 5th Street | 6.4 mi | 11m |
| AR 197 | 6 mi | 14m |
| Pike Avenue | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| West Main Street | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| West 3rd Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Sterlin Hurley Highway | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| West Broadway Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 96.8 mi, about 1h 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Johnson, AR and Little Rock, AR.
1
Start on AR 197
6.0 mi
·
14 min
·
AR 197
2
Turn right onto AR 109
6.4 mi
·
11 min
·
5th Street
3
Continue on AR 109
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Sterlin Hurley Highway
4
Turn right onto US 64
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
6
Merge onto I 40
97 mi
·
1 hr 37 min
·
I 40
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward AR 365
8
Turn straight onto AR 365
0.4 mi
·
36 sec
·
Mac Arthur Drive
9
Continue on AR 365
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Pike Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Enter roundabout onto AR 365
289 ft
·
5 sec
·
West Broadway Street
11
Continue on AR 365
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
·
West Broadway Street
12
Turn right onto US 70
0.5 mi
·
42 sec
·
Broadway Bridge
13
Continue on US 70
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
Broadway Street
14
Turn right onto West 3rd Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West 3rd Street
15
Turn left onto State Capitol
314 ft
·
13 sec
·
State Capitol
16
Continue on State Capitol
440 ft
·
20 sec
·
State Capitol
17
Continue on State Capitol
415 ft
·
25 sec
·
State Capitol
18
Turn sharp left
260 ft
·
19 sec
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of just over two hours, this trip is perfectly suited for a single day, offering plenty of flexibility for departure time. You can depart in the morning and arrive in Little Rock with ample time to spare. With no designated stops recommended, you can decide on breaks as needed, though planning for at least one rest stop during the 96.8-mile stretch on I-40 is advisable. Keep an eye on fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $17, and it's always wise to fill up before embarking on longer highway segments.
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 57.7 miles from Johnson, AR, or about 1h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 96.8 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 25 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 57.7 miles or 1h 12m 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 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Little Rock, AR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Johnson, 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 Johnson, AR
This is one driving day of about 115.3 miles and 2h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Johnson, AR.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 96.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
58 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 25 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 57.7 miles from Johnson, 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 96.8 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 95 decision points cluster between mile 6 and 115.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
6 mi into trip
|
~14m in
|
AR 109 / 5th Street
Turn right onto AR 109 / 5th Street
Navigation decision point
4
13.1 mi into trip
|
~26m in
|
US 64 / West Main Street
Turn right onto US 64 / West Main Street
Navigation decision point
4
111.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 6m in
Take the exit toward AR 365
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward AR 365
4
113.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 9m in
|
AR 365 / West Broadway Street
Enter roundabout onto AR 365 / West Broadway Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
115.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 14m in
Turn sharp left
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.41 one way
$34.83 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
40 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $19.12 | $38.23 |
| premium | $4.56 | $20.69 | $41.39 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $25.46 | $50.91 |
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: 40.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 34.6 | 0 | $12.11 | $5.53 |
| Efficient EV | 28.8 | 0 | $10.09 | $4.61 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 46.1 | 0 | $16.14 | $7.38 |
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (68% 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.
Destination
Little Rock, AR
Morning in Little Rock on Tuesday
Local time
7:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
2h 14m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
The personality of this drive is predominantly highway-focused, with a significant 89% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 96.8 miles primarily on I-40. While the majority is highway, the initial and final segments may involve local roads like 5th Street and AR 197, offering a slight shift in pace before rejoining the main thoroughfare. This means you'll spend most of your time on faster-moving roads, with brief introductions to more local driving conditions.
89% 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: 96.8 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and 5th Street. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 6 miles in near AR 109 / 5th Street.
Driving Effort
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Johnson, AR to Little Rock, AR is easy. At 2h 14m with 89% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 6 miles (AR 109 / 5th Street): Navigation decision point; at 13.1 miles (US 64 / West Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 111.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
About the Cities
Arriving in Little Rock, AR
Full guide →Little Rock is the capital and the largest city of the state of Arkansas. Little Rock is a cultural, economic, government, and transportation center within Arkansas and the American South. Several cultural institutions are in Little Rock, along with hiking, boating, and other outdoor recreational opportunities. Little Rock's history is available through history museums, historic districts or neighborhoods.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 14m. Total distance: 115.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 96.8 miles on I 40. 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 6 miles (AR 109 / 5th Street): Navigation decision point; at 13.1 miles (US 64 / West Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 111.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Little Rock, AR before heading back.
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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