This 116.4-mile drive from Jonesboro, Arkansas to Lonoke, Arkansas is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in about 2 hours and 21 minutes. Given its manageable length and duration, it's perfectly suited as a single-day trip, eliminating the need for an overnight stay. You'll primarily be on I-57, with segments of State Highway 31 and US 78 also part of the route. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $18, making it an economical option for a short excursion within the Southeast region of Arkansas. This route offers a practical and efficient way to travel between these two points.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
58.2 miles from Jonesboro, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 4m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
71.9 mi
1h 14m
State Highway 31
18 mi
31m
US 78
12.5 mi
14m
Southwest Drive
7.4 mi
8m
I 57 Business
2.7 mi
4m
AR 31
1.8 mi
3m
South Main Street
0.9 mi
1m
Union Street
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 71.9 mi, about 1h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jonesboro, AR and Lonoke, 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
72 mi·1 hr 14 min·I 57
10
Take the exit onto I 57 Business
0.3 mi·35 sec·I 57 Business
Toward AR 31, US 67B South: Beebe, Antioch
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57 Business
2.4 mi·4 min·I 57 Business
12
Continue on AR 31
18 mi·31 min·State Highway 31
13
Turn left onto AR 31
1.8 mi·3 min·AR 31
14
Turn left onto US 70
76 ft·6 sec·Front Street Southeast
15
Turn left
23 ft·1 sec
16
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this relatively short 2-hour drive, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience, though an early morning start can help you maximize your time upon arrival in Lonoke. With no designated stops provided, plan your own breaks as needed, especially considering the longest continuous stretch on I-57 is over 70 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $18 estimated cost is based on current averages, and it's always wise to top off before embarking on any road trip. A practical tip for this route would be to check traffic conditions on I-57 before you leave, as this is the main artery for the majority of your travel.
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 58.2 miles from Jonesboro, AR, or about 1h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 71.9 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 26 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58.2 miles or 1h 4m 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 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lonoke, 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 116.4 miles and 2h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Jonesboro, AR.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 57 for about 71.9 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 93.8 — 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
4
0.7 mi into trip|~1m in|West Oak Avenue
Turn left onto West Oak Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
21.5 mi into trip|~26m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
5
93.8 mi into trip|~1h 41m in|I 57 Business
Take the exit onto I 57 Business toward AR 31, US 67B South: Beebe, Antioch
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward AR 31, US 67B South: Beebe, Antioch
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.58 one way
$35.16 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg41 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$19.30
$38.60
premium
$4.56
$20.89
$41.78
diesel
$5.61
$25.70
$51.40
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
34.9
0
$12.22
$5.59
Efficient EV
29.1
0
$10.19
$4.66
EV Truck/SUV
46.6
0
$16.30
$7.45
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (66% 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 17, 2026
Origin
Jonesboro, AR
Late night
in Jonesboro on Tuesday
Local time
3:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
87°F
Mostly Sunny
SSW 15 mph9% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Lonoke, AR
Late night
in Lonoke on Tuesday
Local time
3:06 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
10 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
2h 21m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
The character of this drive is overwhelmingly highway-focused, with an impressive 92% of the journey taking place on major roadways. You'll experience a significant uninterrupted stretch of 71.9 miles on I-57, which provides a consistent pace. While the majority of the route consists of high-speed driving, there are transitions onto State Highway 31 and US 78, offering slight variations in the road's feel as you progress toward your destination. Expect a driving experience that prioritizes efficiency and steady travel.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 71.9 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and State Highway 31. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Cate Avenue.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 21m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
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 0.7 miles (West Oak Avenue): Navigation decision point.
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 Lonoke, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Antioch along the way.
The longest stretch is about 71.9 miles on I 57. 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: near the start (Cate Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Union Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles (West Oak Avenue): Navigation decision point.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Lonoke, AR before heading back.
