Origin
Kentucky, AR
Late night in Kentucky on Tuesday
Local time
3:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Kentucky, AR to Cave City, AR
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 47m
Distance
136.5 mi
220 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 36m
★
6 AM
2h 47m
8 AM
3h 9m
10 AM
2h 55m
12 PM
2h 53m
3 PM
2h 56m
5 PM
3h 8m
8 PM
2h 41m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kentucky, AR
Owen.outdoors
Cave City, AR
Khaoula ATTAR
Trip Overview
Kentucky, AR to Cave City, AR is 136.5 miles and takes about 2h 47m via I 57, US 64, and I 30, with a fuel budget near $21 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Arkansas, traversing the Southeast region from start to finish. It's a predominantly highway-focused trip, making it efficient for getting from point A to point B. Given its relatively short duration, it’s well-suited for a single-day excursion, allowing for minimal disruption to your schedule. Plan for a straightforward journey with mostly highway travel.
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
68.2 miles from Kentucky, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 18m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 57 | 55 mi | 56m |
| US 64 | 33.3 mi | 45m |
| I 30 | 25.3 mi | 28m |
| South Saint Louis Street | 14.4 mi | 22m |
| Old Hot Springs Highway | 5.5 mi | 9m |
| US 67 | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| South Main Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| AR 35 | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 55 mi, about 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kentucky, AR and Cave City, 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 143B
Toward 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 Louis
Use the slight left lane.
11
Continue on I 57; US 64; US 167
27 mi
·
26 min
·
I 57; US 64; US 167
12
Take the exit onto US 64; US 167
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
US 64; US 167
Toward US 64 East, US 67 North: Bald Knob, Batesville
13
Turn left onto US 64; US 167
33 mi
·
44 min
·
US 64; US 167
14
Continue on US 167; AR 25
14 mi
·
22 min
·
South Saint Louis Street
15
Continue on US 167
0.5 mi
·
48 sec
·
South Main Street
16
Turn left onto West Center Street
12 ft
·
0 sec
·
West Center Street
17
Arrive at destination
West Center Street
Trip Plan
For this 136.5-mile drive, consider departing in the morning to take full advantage of daylight and minimize any potential rush hour impacts. With a total duration of just under 3 hours, you likely won't need more than one planned stop for fuel or a quick break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before heading onto longer highway stretches; the $21 fuel cost estimate suggests it’s an affordable trip to begin with. Since this is a single-day route, flexibility is key – you can adjust your departure time based on your needs without worrying about an overnight stay.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 68.2 miles from Kentucky, AR, or about 1h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55 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 30 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 68.2 miles or 1h 18m 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 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cave City, 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 136.5 miles and 2h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 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 55 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
68 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 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 68.2 miles from Kentucky, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 95 decision points cluster between mile 5.9 and 88.2 — 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
4
26.7 mi into trip
|
~34m in
|
I 30; US 67
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30; US 67
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
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
5
88.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 38m in
|
US 64; US 167
Take the exit onto US 64; US 167 toward US 64 East, US 67 North: Bald Knob, Batesville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 64 East, US 67 North: Bald Knob, Bate...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.61 one way
$41.23 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
48 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $22.63 | $45.26 |
| premium | $4.56 | $24.50 | $49.00 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $30.14 | $60.27 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 40.9 | 0 | $14.33 | $6.55 |
| Efficient EV | 34.1 | 0 | $11.94 | $5.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 54.6 | 0 | $19.11 | $8.74 |
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 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.
Destination
Cave City, AR
Late night in Cave City on Tuesday
Local time
3:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°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
4 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 47m 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...
24 mi from route
~59 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is characterized by its 85% highway share, offering a fairly fast-paced journey. You'll experience stretches of interstate driving, including a longest uninterrupted segment of 55 miles on I 57. While primarily on major roadways like I 57 and I 30, you'll also navigate sections of US 64. Expect a driving experience that prioritizes getting you to your destination efficiently, with less emphasis on winding local roads or extensive scenic detours. It's a reliable path focused on smooth travel.
85% 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: 55 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and US 64. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 5.9 miles in.
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 136.5 miles you will encounter 9 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: at 5.9 miles: Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 26.7 miles (I 30; US 67): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 31.7 miles (US 67; US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
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 Cave City, AR, road signs point toward Memphis, Saint Louis and Batesville.
Memphis
31.7 mi in
|
~40m
|
via US 67; US 167
Saint Louis
33.3 mi in
|
~42m
|
via I 57; US 167
Batesville
88.2 mi in
|
~1h 38m
|
via US 64; US 167
About the Cities
Starting in Kentucky, AR
Full guide →“Bluegrass State” · Founded 1792
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.
Top landmarks
- • United States Bullion Depository — building used for gold storage
- • Creation Museum — museum
- • Black Mountain — mountain in Kentucky, United States
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 2h 47m. Total distance: 136.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 47m 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 55 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: at 5.9 miles: Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 26.7 miles (I 30; US 67): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 31.7 miles (US 67; US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Hot Springs National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Cave City, AR before heading back.
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 NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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