Overlook Rest Area - Westbound
0 mi from route
Trip from Kensett, AR to Springdale, AR
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 1m
Distance
221.3 mi
356 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 48m
★
6 AM
4h 1m
8 AM
4h 27m
10 AM
4h 10m
12 PM
4h 8m
3 PM
4h 11m
5 PM
4h 26m
8 PM
3h 53m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kensett, AR
Md Jawadur Rahman
Springdale, AR
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Kensett, AR to Springdale, AR is 221.3 miles and takes about 4h 1m via I 40 and I 49, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Arkansas, connecting the Southeast region from start to finish. It's a predominantly highway route, making it a straightforward drive for a single day. Expect a relatively quick transit with minimal time commitment, ideal for getting from point A to point B efficiently.
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
110.6 miles from Kensett, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 3m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 113.9 mi | 1h 53m |
| I 49 | 46.4 mi | 47m |
| US 64 | 33 mi | 42m |
| I 57 | 17.6 mi | 17m |
| South Thompson Street | 3.3 mi | 5m |
| Fulbright Expressway | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| West Wilbur Mills Avenue | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| North College Avenue | 1.3 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 113.9 mi, about 1h 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kensett, AR and Springdale, AR.
1
Start on AR 385
245 ft
·
10 sec
·
Northeast 1st Street
2
Turn left onto AR 36
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
West Wilbur Mills Avenue
3
At end of road, turn left onto East Race Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East Race Avenue
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
5
Merge onto I 57; US 64; US 167
18 mi
·
17 min
·
I 57; US 64; US 167
6
Take the exit onto US 64
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
US 64
Toward US 64 West, I 57 Business North: Beebe, Conway
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 64
33 mi
·
41 min
·
US 64
Toward US 64 West: Conway
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
9
Merge onto I 40; US 65
114 mi
·
1 hr 53 min
·
I 40; US 65
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Toward I 49 North: Fayetteville
11
Continue on I 49
46 mi
·
47 min
·
I 49
Use the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 71B
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Fulbright Expressway
Exit 67B
Toward US 71B: Fayetteville Business District
Use the slight right lane.
13
Continue on US 71B
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
North College Avenue
14
Continue on US 71B
3.3 mi
·
5 min
·
South Thompson Street
15
Turn right onto West Johnson Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
West Johnson Avenue
16
At end of road, turn left onto North Commercial Street
119 ft
·
5 sec
·
North Commercial Street
17
Arrive at destination
North Commercial Street
Trip Plan
Given this route takes just over 4 hours, leaving in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight. The drive is efficient, so you likely won't need more than one planned stop, perhaps around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel; the estimated cost is $35, but it's always wise to top off before departing Kensett. Since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility in your departure time and can adjust your pace as needed.
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 110.6 miles from Kensett, AR, or about 2h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 113.9 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 49 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 110.6 miles or 2h 3m 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 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Springdale, AR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Kensett, 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 Kensett, AR
This is one driving day of about 221.3 miles and 4h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Kensett, 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 113.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
111 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 49 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 110.6 miles from Kensett, 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 113.9 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Ozark Rest Area – Eastbound
0.1 mi from route
Ozark Rest Area - Westbound
0.1 mi from route
Big Piney Rest Area – Eastbound
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Tobo's 66 Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Big Piney Rest Area - Westbound
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 213.9 — 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
|
AR 36 / West Wilbur Mills Avenue
Turn left onto AR 36 / West Wilbur Mills Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
1.6 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
East Race Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto East Race Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
19.9 mi into trip
|
~22m 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,...
5
20.3 mi into trip
|
~23m 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
8
213.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 47m in
|
US 71B / Fulbright Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 71B / Fulbright Expressway toward US 71B: Fayetteville Business District
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 67B
Toward US 71B: Fayetteville Business District
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.72 one way
$61.44 round trip
$3.53/gal
25.4 MPG avg
77 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.95 | $34.37 | $68.74 |
| premium | $4.29 | $37.37 | $74.74 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $41.79 | $83.57 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 66.4 | 0 | $23.24 | $10.62 |
| Efficient EV | 55.3 | 0 | $19.36 | $8.85 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 88.5 | 1 | $30.98 | $14.16 |
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 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.
Origin
Kensett, AR
Late night in Kensett on Sunday
Local time
5:50 AM
CDT
Current temp
96°F
Sunny
WSW 5 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:38PM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Little Rock AR
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:38PM CDT until July 19 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Little Rock AR
Destination
Springdale, AR
Late night in Springdale on Sunday
Local time
5:50 AM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 10 mph
23% chance
Live forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:38PM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Little Rock AR
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:38PM CDT until July 19 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Little Rock AR
73°F
Delaware, AR
111 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
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
4h 1m 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?
You'll be on the highway for 96% of this drive, covering 221.3 miles primarily on I 40 and I 49. The longest continuous stretch without a significant change in road type is 113.9 miles on I 40. You'll notice a high density of exits for a good portion of the trip, especially on the interstate sections, so be prepared for frequent opportunities to exit or merge.
96% 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: 113.9 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 49. 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 AR 36 / West Wilbur Mills Avenue.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 221.3 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 (AR 36 / West Wilbur Mills Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1.6 miles (East Race Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 19.9 miles (US 64): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,506 ft
224 ft
Total Climb
1,528 ft
Total Descent
427 ft
Highest Point
1,506 ft
~189.7 mi in
Elevation Range
1,282 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Kensett, AR to Springdale, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Conway along the way.
Conway
19.9 mi in
|
~22m
|
via US 64
About the Cities
Starting in Kensett, AR
Full guide →Arriving in Springdale, AR
Full guide →Founded 1838
Springdale is in the Ozarks region of Northwest Arkansas.
Top landmarks
- • Shiloh Museum of Ozark History — history museum in Springdale, Arkansas
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 4h 1m. Total distance: 221.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 113.9 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 15 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.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Springdale, AR before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
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. There are 15 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (AR 36 / West Wilbur Mills Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1.6 miles (East Race Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 19.9 miles (US 64): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Springdale, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Springdale, AR
More from Kensett, AR
More trips to Springdale, AR
Explore more options from Kensett, AR or browse trips ending in Springdale, AR.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AR road trips.