Spanning 166.5 miles, this trek from Kentucky to Brookland is a straightforward journey through Arkansas that takes approximately 3 hours and 9 minutes. You will primarily navigate via I-30, I-40 East, and segments labeled as Saint Louis, making this a manageable day trip that fits easily into a single day of travel. With an estimated fuel cost of $23, it is an economical choice for those looking to traverse the Southeast region. Since the entire route stays within Arkansas, you won't need to worry about state-line logistics or major regional shifts. It serves as a practical connection between these two points, offering a predictable travel experience for commuters or casual travelers.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
83.3 miles from Kentucky, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 34m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
102.7 mi
1h 46m
I 30
25.3 mi
28m
US 78
12.1 mi
13m
Southwest Drive
7.4 mi
9m
Old Hot Springs Highway
5.5 mi
9m
East Johnson Avenue
5.3 mi
8m
Red Wolf Boulevard
2.4 mi
3m
East Highland Drive
2.1 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 102.7 mi, about 1h 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kentucky, AR and Brookland, AR.
1
Start on AR 5
5.5 mi·9 min·Old Hot Springs Highway
2
Continue on AR 35
0.4 mi·48 sec·AR 35
3
Turn sharp left
0.1 mi·26 sec
4
Turn straight onto AR 5
0.3 mi·29 sec·I-30 Frontage Road
5
Take the ramp
516 ft·12 sec
6
Merge onto I 30; US 67; US 70
20 mi·22 min·I 30; US 67; US 70
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30; US 67
0.7 mi·49 sec·I 30; US 67
8
Continue on I 30; US 65; US 67; US 167
4.2 mi·5 min·I 30; US 65; US 67; US 167
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 67; US 167
1.6 mi·2 min·US 67; US 167
Exit 143BToward I 40 East, US 67 North, US 167 North: Jacksonville, Memphis
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57; US 167
28 mi·29 min·I 57; US 167
Toward Saint LouisUse the slight left lane.
11
Continue on I 57; US 64; US 167
74 mi·1 hr 16 min·I 57; US 64; US 167
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward AR 226: Jonesboro
13
Keep slight right at fork
346 ft·8 sec
14
Merge onto US 78; AR 226
12 mi·13 min·US 78; AR 226
15
Continue on US 49; US 63; US 78
7.4 mi·9 min·Southwest Drive
16
Turn right onto AR 18
2.1 mi·3 min·East Highland Drive
17
Turn left onto US 49; AR 1
2.4 mi·3 min·Red Wolf Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on US 49; AR 1
5.3 mi·8 min·East Johnson Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Turn right onto US 49B
0.7 mi·1 min·South Holman Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Turn left onto West Hinkley Avenue
189 ft·8 sec·West Hinkley Avenue
21
Arrive at destination
West Hinkley Avenue
Trip Plan
Planning your departure is simple given the trip's manageable duration, but aim to leave early to account for the frequent turns and local traffic flow. Since you only have one planned stop along the way, use that break strategically to refuel and stretch your legs before tackling the remainder of the 166.5 miles. Keep your $23 fuel budget in mind, and consider filling up before you hit the more technical sections of the route to avoid searching for stations on smaller roads. Because this is a turn-heavy drive, ensure your GPS is mounted securely and your navigation is set before you depart Kentucky. This flexibility allows you to focus on the road ahead without the stress of constant route adjustments.
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 83.3 miles from Kentucky, AR, or about 1h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 102.7 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 37 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.3 miles or 1h 34m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brookland, AR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Kentucky, 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 Kentucky, AR
This is one driving day of about 166.5 miles and 3h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Kentucky, 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 57 for about 102.7 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.9 and 165.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
5.9 mi into trip|~10m in
Turn sharp left
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
7
31.7 mi into trip|~40m in|US 67; US 167
Keep slight right at fork onto US 67; US 167 toward I 40 East, US 67 North, US 167 North: Jacksonville, Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 143B
Toward I 40 East, US 67 North, US 167 North: Ja...
7
33.3 mi into trip|~42m in|I 57; US 167
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57; US 167 toward Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward Saint Louis
6
158.1 mi into trip|~2h 56m in|US 49; AR 1 / Red Wolf Boulevard
Turn left onto US 49; AR 1 / Red Wolf Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
165.8 mi into trip|~3h 8m in|US 49B / South Holman Street
Turn right onto US 49B / South Holman Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.15 one way
$50.29 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg58 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$27.60
$55.21
premium
$4.56
$29.88
$59.77
diesel
$5.61
$36.76
$73.52
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
49.9
0
$17.48
$7.99
Efficient EV
41.6
0
$14.57
$6.66
EV Truck/SUV
66.6
0
$23.31
$10.66
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (67% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Kentucky, AR
Late night
in Kentucky on Sunday
Local time
2:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Brookland, AR
Late night
in Brookland 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
3h 9m 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.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate grind, as the route features 0% highway share. Despite the inclusion of major road designations, you will not encounter long, uninterrupted stretches on I-30, requiring you to stay attentive to frequent turns throughout the 3-hour journey. The character of the road is defined by its technical nature, which demands more active steering than a standard high-speed corridor. As you progress toward Brookland, the driving environment remains consistent, focusing on local navigation rather than open-road cruising. Prepare for a hands-on driving experience where the lack of long highway segments keeps you engaged from start to finish.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 102.7 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and I 30. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.9 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 166.5 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 5.9 miles: Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 31.7 miles (US 67; US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 33.3 miles (I 57; US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Kentucky, AR and Brookland, AR, road signs point toward Memphis and Saint Louis.
Kentucky is a Southern state of the United States; its state capital is Frankfort. Attractions include horse racing and beautiful lakes. It is home to famous food (Kentucky Fried Chicken, Hot Brown, and Burgoo), drink (bourbon whiskey) and music (bluegrass) traditions.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 9m. Total distance: 166.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 102.7 miles on I 57. 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.
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 Brookland, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.9 miles: Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 31.7 miles (US 67; US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 33.3 miles (I 57; US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Hot Springs National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Brookland, AR, but most travelers stay overnight.
