Spanning 139 miles, this drive from Kentucky to Dermott takes approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes to complete. You will navigate a route that utilizes I-30, I-530 South, and the Wiley A Branton Sr Highway to reach your destination. Given the duration, this trip is perfectly manageable as a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. Expect to spend around $19 on fuel for the journey, making it a relatively budget-friendly trip through Southeast Arkansas. Because the route stays within the same region, you can expect a consistent atmosphere as you transition between these two Arkansas communities. It is a straightforward trek, though you should be prepared for a drive that prioritizes local roads over interstate 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
69.5 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
US 65
61.1 mi
1h 15m
I 530
45.6 mi
47m
I 30
20.6 mi
22m
Old Hot Springs Highway
5.5 mi
9m
AR 35
2.1 mi
3m
US 165
2 mi
3m
Wiley A Branton Sr Highway
1.2 mi
1m
I-30 Frontage Road
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 65
— 61.1 mi, about 1h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kentucky, AR and Dermott, 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
0.2 mi·16 sec·I 30; US 67
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I 530 South, US 65 South, US 167 South: Pine Bluff
9
Merge onto I 530; US 65; US 167
46 mi·47 min·I 530; US 65; US 167
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 530; US 65
1.2 mi·1 min·Wiley A Branton Sr Highway
11
Continue on US 65; US 425
38 mi·46 min·US 65; US 425
12
Continue on US 65; US 165
24 mi·29 min·US 65; US 165
13
Turn right onto US 165
2.0 mi·3 min·US 165
14
Turn right onto AR 35
1.8 mi·3 min·AR 35
15
Turn right onto South Main Street
162 ft·4 sec·South Main Street
16
Arrive at destination
South Main Street
Trip Plan
Planning for this 2 hour and 45 minute drive is simple since you only need to account for one stop along the way. Because the route is a local-heavy drive, aim to depart during daylight hours to ensure you have better visibility for the numerous turns you will encounter. Budget about $19 for fuel before you head out, and keep an eye on your navigation to stay on track along the Wiley A Branton Sr Highway. Since this is a one-day trip, feel free to build in flexibility with your stop to stretch your legs or grab a quick snack. Use the single stop strategically to break up the drive, ensuring you stay refreshed for the more technical sections of the local roads.
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 69.5 miles from Kentucky, AR, or about 1h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 61.1 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 31 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 69.5 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 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dermott, 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 139 miles and 2h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 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 US 65 for about 61.1 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.9 and 137.2 — 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
5
27 mi into trip|~34m in
Take the exit toward I 530 South, US 65 South, US 167 South: Pine Bluff
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 530 South, US 65 South, US 167 South:...
4
72.9 mi into trip|~1h 22m in|I 530; US 65 / Wiley A Branton Sr Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 530; US 65 / Wiley A Branton Sr Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
4
137.2 mi into trip|~2h 42m in|AR 35
Turn right onto AR 35
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.99 one way
$41.98 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg49 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$23.04
$46.09
premium
$4.56
$24.95
$49.90
diesel
$5.61
$30.69
$61.38
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: 48.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
41.7
0
$14.59
$6.67
Efficient EV
34.8
0
$12.16
$5.56
EV Truck/SUV
55.6
0
$19.46
$8.90
Gas CO2
49 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Kentucky, AR
Night
in Kentucky on Saturday
Local time
11:35 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Dermott, AR
Night
in Dermott on Saturday
Local time
11:35 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°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
3 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
2h 45m 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.
Arkansas Post National Memorial
National Memorial
Located at the confluence of two rivers, Arkansas Post has served as a gathering place for many cultures throughout human history - it represents cultural cooperation, conflict, synthesis, and diversi...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 110.3
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 experience. With a highway share of 0%, you will spend your time navigating local roads that require your full attention behind the wheel. The longest stretch you will encounter on I-30 is 0 miles, as the route design emphasizes regional connectivity over high-speed highway cruising. This personality makes the trip feel more personal and grounded as you navigate the local landscape. You should plan for a drive that demands consistent engagement and maneuvering through various turns rather than long, straight-line highway stretches.
95% 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: 61.1 mi on US 65.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 65 and I 530. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 5.9 miles in.
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 139 miles you will encounter 10 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 27 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 2h 45m. Total distance: 139 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 45m 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 61.1 miles on US 65. 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 27 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Arkansas Post National Memorial and 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 Dermott, AR before heading back.
