Trip from Jonesboro, AR to Barling, AR

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 44m

Distance

261.7 mi

421 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$40

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

4h 31m ★

6 AM

4h 44m

8 AM

5h 11m

10 AM

4h 53m

12 PM

4h 51m

3 PM

4h 55m

5 PM

5h 10m

8 PM

4h 36m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Barling, AR

Andrea Piacquadio

Trip Overview

This 261.7-mile journey from Jonesboro, AR to Barling, AR is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 4 hours and 44 minutes. You'll navigate local roads for the entirety of the drive, with no highway time included, suggesting a more intimate, community-focused experience. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $40, making it an affordable excursion. This drive offers a consistent local feel throughout, ideal for those who prefer to stay off the interstate and explore at a more relaxed pace. Both your origin and destination are 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

130.8 miles from Jonesboro, AR

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 28m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 40	118.6 mi	1h 58m
I 57	74.5 mi	1h 16m
US 64	33 mi	42m
US 78	12.5 mi	14m
US 71	8.5 mi	10m
Southwest Drive	7.4 mi	8m
Rogers Avenue	2.8 mi	4m
Fort Street	1.6 mi	2m

Longest stretch: I 40 — 118.6 mi, about 1h 58m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Jonesboro, AR and Barling, AR.

Start on this road

75 ft · 7 sec · this road

Turn right onto Cate Avenue

458 ft · 25 sec · Cate Avenue

Turn left onto Union Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · Union Street

Turn left onto West Oak Avenue

257 ft · 9 sec · West Oak Avenue

Turn right onto South Main Street

0.9 mi · 1 min · South Main Street

Continue on AR 18

7.4 mi · 8 min · Southwest Drive

Continue on US 78; AR 226

13 mi · 14 min · US 78; AR 226

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 47 sec

Merge onto I 57

75 mi · 1 hr 16 min · I 57

Take the exit onto US 64

0.4 mi · 49 sec · US 64

Toward US 64 West, I 57 Business North: Beebe, Conway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 64

33 mi · 41 min · US 64

Toward US 64 West: Conway

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 57 sec

Merge onto I 40; US 65

119 mi · 1 hr 58 min · I 40; US 65

Take the exit onto US 71

8.5 mi · 10 min · US 71

Toward I 540 South, US 71 South: Fort Smith

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec

Toward Rogers Avenue East

Turn straight onto AR 22

2.8 mi · 4 min · Rogers Avenue

Continue on AR 22

1.6 mi · 2 min · Fort Street

Arrive at destination

AR 22

Trip Plan

Given the 4-hour and 44-minute duration, this route is well-suited for a single day, so you can leave whenever is most convenient for you. With only one planned stop and a low highway percentage, you have a lot of flexibility in pacing your journey. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially when you're in more rural stretches, as service stations might be less frequent than on major highways. A good tip for this turn-heavy route is to familiarize yourself with the main roads like Cate Avenue, Union Street, and West Oak Avenue beforehand to minimize unexpected detours.

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 130.8 miles from Jonesboro, AR, or about 2h 28m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 118.6 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 58 miles or 1h 4m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 130.8 miles or 2h 28m 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 52m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Barling, AR than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Jonesboro, 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 Jonesboro, AR

This is one driving day of about 261.7 miles and 4h 44m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Jonesboro, 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 118.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Conway, AR

131 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

McCrory, AR

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 58 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Conway, AR

Meal break

The midpoint is around 130.8 miles from Jonesboro, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 118.6 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Chef's In Downtown Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Jonesboro, Arkansas

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Hours: Closed

+18709348962

Visit website

The Patio Café

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Conway, Arkansas

1.1 mi

Native Brew Works

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Jonesboro, Arkansas

1.3 mi

Top Coffee Stop

The Rec Room

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Jonesboro, Arkansas

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Hours: 7:30 am–2 pm

+18705206006

Visit website

Shadrachs Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Jonesboro, Arkansas

0.3 mi

Something Art Cafe

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Jonesboro, Arkansas

0.1 mi

Chef's In Downtown Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Jonesboro, Arkansas

Hours: Closed

+18709348962

Visit website

The Patio Café

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 130.8

Conway, Arkansas

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+15013583556

Visit website

Native Brew Works

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Jonesboro, Arkansas

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+18702067278

Visit website

Sonic Drive-In

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour Inexpensiv

Jonesboro, Arkansas

Hours: 6 am–10:30 pm

+18709357850

Visit website

Eggsellent Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Jonesboro, Arkansas

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+18702036250

Pella Cafe Greek and Mediterranean Cuisine

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Jonesboro, Arkansas

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18709380111

Visit website

Subway

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour Inexpensiv

Jonesboro, Arkansas

Hours: 9 am–10 pm

+18709728880

Visit website

Sonic Drive-In

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour Inexpensiv

Jonesboro, Arkansas

Hours: 6 am–10:30 pm

+18709316433

Visit website

The Rec Room

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Jonesboro, Arkansas

Hours: 7:30 am–2 pm

+18705206006

Visit website

Shadrachs Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Jonesboro, Arkansas

Hours: 6:30 am–2 pm

+18709264835

Visit website

Something Art Cafe

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Jonesboro, Arkansas

Hours: 9 am–9 pm

+18702062715

Visit website

Shadrachs Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Jonesboro, Arkansas

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+18702039837

Visit website

Four Kings Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Jonesboro, Arkansas

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+18703164259

Visit website

Shadrachs Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Jonesboro, Arkansas

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+18705303326

Visit website

Shadrachs Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10

Jonesboro, Arkansas

Hours: 5:30 am–10 pm

+18703407349

Visit website

Little Lattes Play Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Jonesboro, Arkansas

Hours: 9 am–7 pm

+18706048137

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 130.8

Conway, Arkansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 37.4

Newport, Arkansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour

Jonesboro, Arkansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour

Jonesboro, Arkansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 130.8

Conway, Arkansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

3.3 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour

Jonesboro, Arkansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 37.4

Newport, Arkansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour

Jonesboro, Arkansas

+18668167584

Visit website

The Porch at Huntington Square Bar and Grill

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Jonesboro, Arkansas

Hours: 3–11 pm

+18708194132

Visit website

Craighead Forest Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour

Jonesboro, Arkansas

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+18709334604

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 12

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 248.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Cate Avenue

Turn right onto Cate Avenue

Navigation decision point

21.5 mi into trip | ~26m in

Take the exit

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

96.4 mi into trip | ~1h 44m in | US 64

Take the exit onto US 64 toward US 64 West, I 57 Business North: Beebe, Conway

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 64 West, I 57 Business North: Beebe,...

96.8 mi into trip | ~1h 45m in | US 64

Keep slight right at fork onto US 64 toward US 64 West: Conway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward US 64 West: Conway

248.4 mi into trip | ~4h 26m in | US 71

Take the exit onto US 71 toward I 540 South, US 71 South: Fort Smith

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 540 South, US 71 South: Fort Smith

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$39.52 one way

$79.05 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 92 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.21	$43.39	$86.77
premium	$4.56	$46.97	$93.94
diesel	$5.61	$57.78	$115.56

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$40

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$65–$90

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 91.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	78.5	0	$27.48	$12.56
Efficient EV	65.4	0	$22.90	$10.47
EV Truck/SUV	104.7	1	$36.64	$16.75

Gas CO2

92 kg

EV CO2

31 kg (66% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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

Jonesboro, AR

Late night in Jonesboro on Sunday

Local time

2:57 AM

CDT

Current temp

76°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Barling, AR

Late night in Barling on Sunday

Local time

2:57 AM

CDT

Current temp

76°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

4h 44m 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 turn-heavy local drive for this entire 261.7-mile route, as indicated by the 0% highway share. This means you'll be engaging with the road frequently, with a constant need for attention as you navigate through towns and rural areas. Without any significant highway stretches, the longest uninterrupted drive time will be dictated by the segments between turns and local intersections. The character of the road is likely to remain consistent, offering a steady, ground-level perspective of the Arkansas landscape.

94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 118.6 mi on I 40.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 57. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Cate Avenue.

Driving Effort 5/10

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 261.7 miles you will encounter 12 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: near the start (Cate Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 21.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 96.4 miles (US 64): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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 Jonesboro, AR to Barling, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Conway along the way.

Conway

96.4 mi in | ~1h 44m | via US 64

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 44m. Total distance: 261.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 118.6 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.

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.

Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Barling, AR, but most travelers stay overnight.

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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Trip from Jonesboro, AR to Barling, AR

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Chef's In Downtown Cafe

The Rec Room

Chef's In Downtown Cafe

The Patio Café

Native Brew Works

Sonic Drive-In

Eggsellent Cafe

Pella Cafe Greek and Mediterranean Cuisine

Subway

Sonic Drive-In

The Rec Room

Shadrachs Coffee

Something Art Cafe

Shadrachs Coffee

Four Kings Coffee

Shadrachs Coffee

Shadrachs Coffee

Little Lattes Play Cafe

Tesla Supercharger

Blink Charging Station

Blink Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

ChargePoint Charging Station

EV Connect Charging Station

EV Connect Charging Station

EV Connect Charging Station

The Porch at Huntington Square Bar and Grill

Craighead Forest Park

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Jonesboro, AR

Barling, AR

Same local time

Very similar conditions

4h 44m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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