Jonesboro to Hope is 239.5 miles and takes about 4h 15m via I 57 and I 30, with a fuel budget near $34 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Arkansas, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, making this a straightforward connection between two points in the state. It’s a good option if you need to get from the northeastern part of Arkansas to the southwestern part efficiently. Consider this route for its directness and minimal fuss.
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
119.8 miles from Jonesboro, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 30
106.8 mi
1h 49m
I 57
102.7 mi
1h 45m
US 78
12.5 mi
14m
Southwest Drive
7.4 mi
8m
US 167
4.9 mi
6m
North Hazel Street
1.8 mi
3m
I 40
0.9 mi
1m
South Main Street
0.9 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 30
— 106.8 mi, about 1h 49m
Traffic on I-30
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,305 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,759
Quietest
2 AM
~288 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
4.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 61 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jonesboro, AR and Hope, AR.
1
Start on this road
75 ft·7 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto Cate Avenue
458 ft·25 sec·Cate Avenue
3
Turn left onto Union Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Union Street
4
Turn left onto West Oak Avenue
257 ft·9 sec·West Oak Avenue
5
Turn right onto South Main Street
0.9 mi·1 min·South Main Street
6
Continue on AR 18
7.4 mi·8 min·Southwest Drive
7
Continue on US 78; AR 226
13 mi·14 min·US 78; AR 226
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
9
Merge onto I 57
103 mi·1 hr 45 min·I 57
10
Merge onto I 40; US 167
0.9 mi·1 min·I 40; US 167
11
Take the exit onto US 167
4.9 mi·6 min·US 167
Toward I 30 West, US 65 South, US 67 South, US 167 South: Little Rock
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 30; US 67
24 mi·26 min·I 30; US 67
Exit 138Toward TexarkanaUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 30; US 70
83 mi·1 hr 22 min·I 30; US 70
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward AR 29: Hope
15
Turn left onto AR 29
1.8 mi·3 min·North Hazel Street
16
Turn right onto US 67; US 278B; AR 29B
0.1 mi·14 sec·East 3rd Street
17
Arrive at destination
US 67; US 278B; AR 29B
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 15m estimated drive time, leaving in the morning from Jonesboro will allow you to reach Hope with plenty of daylight to spare. There's only one recommended stop, so you can easily complete this in a single day. The fuel cost is estimated at $34, so ensure your tank is full before you depart, especially before the longest stretch on I 30. Keep an eye on the exit numbers as you travel along I 30; they can help you gauge your progress.
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 119.8 miles from Jonesboro, AR, or about 2h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 106.8 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 53 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119.8 miles or 2h 8m 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 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hope, 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 239.5 miles and 4h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 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 30 for about 106.8 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 130.4 — 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|Cate Avenue
Turn right onto Cate Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Union Street
Turn left onto Union Street
Navigation decision point
5
21.5 mi into trip|~26m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
5
125.5 mi into trip|~2h 14m in|US 167
Take the exit onto US 167 toward I 30 West, US 65 South, US 67 South, US 167 South: Little Rock
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 30 West, US 65 South, US 67 South, US...
8
130.4 mi into trip|~2h 21m in|I 30; US 67
Keep slight right at fork onto I 30; US 67 toward Texarkana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 138
Toward Texarkana
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.09 one way
$70.17 round trip
$3.72/gal25.4 MPG avg84 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.13
$38.95
$77.90
premium
$4.49
$42.30
$84.60
diesel
$5.60
$52.79
$105.59
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
71.9
0
$25.15
$11.50
Efficient EV
59.9
0
$20.96
$9.58
EV Truck/SUV
95.8
1
$33.53
$15.33
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% 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 Aug 23, 2026
Origin
Jonesboro, AR
Late night
in Jonesboro on Friday
Local time
2:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Partly Cloudy
NNE 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued August 23 at 3:12AM CDT until August 23 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Jackson MS
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued August 23 at 12:41AM CDT until August 23 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Little Rock AR
Destination
Hope, AR
Late night
in Hope on Friday
Local time
2:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Partly Cloudy
0 mph15% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued August 23 at 3:12AM CDT until August 23 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Jackson MS
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued August 23 at 12:41AM CDT until August 23 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Little Rock AR
75°F
Jacksonville, AR
120 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
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
4h 15m 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.
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...
16 mi from route
~39 min detour
Free
near mile 173.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is almost entirely highway, with 95% of the route on interstates. You'll experience a long stretch of 106.8 miles on I 30 without needing to exit. The transition to surface roads will be minimal as you approach your destination. Expect consistent cruising with frequent exit ramps along the main interstate segments.
95% 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: 106.8 mi on I 30.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 30 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 Effort5/10
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 239.5 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 0.1 miles (Union Street): Navigation decision point; at 21.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
359 ft205 ft
Total Climb
222 ft
Total Descent
193 ft
Highest Point
359 ft
~222.4 mi in
Elevation Range
154 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 Jonesboro, AR to Hope, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Texarkana along the way.
Hope is a town in the Timberlands region of Arkansas. It is best known for its annual watermelon festival and for being the birthplace of former US President Bill Clinton.
Top landmarks
•President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home National Historic Site — birthplace of former US president Bill Clinton
•Hope — train station in Hope, Arkansas
•Hempstead County Courthouse — county courthouse in Hope, United States of America
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 15m. Total distance: 239.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 106.8 miles on I 30. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 2 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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: near the start (Cate Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Union Street): Navigation decision point; at 21.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Yes — Hot Springs National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Hope, AR, but most travelers stay overnight.
