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Trip from Kentucky, AR to Earle, AR

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 6, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 49m

Distance

149.8 mi

241 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$22

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min
4 AM
2h 38m ★
6 AM
2h 49m
8 AM
3h 11m
10 AM
2h 57m
12 PM
2h 55m
3 PM
2h 58m
5 PM
3h 10m
8 PM
2h 42m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time
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Download GPX
Downtown Kentucky, AR, AR

Kentucky, AR

Owen.outdoors

Downtown Earle, AR, AR

Earle, AR

Ila Bappa Ibrahim

Trip Overview

The drive from Kentucky, AR to Earle, AR covers 149.8 miles and takes about 2h 49m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 40, I 30, East Belt Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 100.5 miles on I 40. At current regular gas prices, budget about $21.95 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

74.9 miles from Kentucky, AR

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 24m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 40 100.5 mi 1h 40m
I 30 20.3 mi 22m
East Belt Freeway 10 mi 11m
AR 149 9.9 mi 17m
Old Hot Springs Highway 5.5 mi 9m
2nd Street 0.4 mi <1m
AR 35 0.4 mi <1m
Barton Street 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 40 — 100.5 mi, about 1h 40m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Kentucky, AR and Earle, 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 right at fork onto I 440

10 mi · 11 min · East Belt Freeway
Toward I 440 East: Little Rock Airport, Little Rock River Port, Memphis
8

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Toward I 40: Memphis, Fort Smith
9

Keep slight right at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I 40 East: Memphis
10

Merge onto I 40

101 mi · 1 hr 40 min · I 40
11

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 29 sec
Toward AR 149: Earle
12

Keep slight right at fork

129 ft · 3 sec
13

Turn straight onto AR 149

9.9 mi · 17 min · AR 149
14

Turn left onto AR 149

461 ft · 9 sec · Arkansas Street
15

Continue on AR 149

0.3 mi · 29 sec · Arkansas Avenue
16

Turn right onto AR 149

0.2 mi · 24 sec · Cross Street
17

Continue on AR 149

0.1 mi · 17 sec · Park Street
18

Turn left onto US 64B

0.4 mi · 49 sec · 2nd Street
19

Turn right onto AR 149

0.3 mi · 38 sec · Barton Street
20

Turn right onto US 64

0.1 mi · 10 sec · US 64
21

Arrive at destination

US 64

Trip Plan

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 74.9 miles from Kentucky, AR, or about 1h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 100.5 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 33 miles or 41m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 74.9 miles or 1h 24m 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 12m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Earle, 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 149.8 miles and 2h 49m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 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 40 for about 100.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Pulaski County, Arkansas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Jacksonville, AR

75 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

North Little Rock, AR

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Hazen, AR

Meal break

The midpoint is around 74.9 miles from Kentucky, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 100.5 miles.

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 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 5.9 and 138.2 — 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

6
26.7 mi into trip | ~34m in | I 440 / East Belt Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 440 / East Belt Freeway toward I 440 East: Little Rock Airport, Little Rock River Port, Memphis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 440 East: Little Rock Airport, Little...
6
36.7 mi into trip | ~45m in

Take the exit toward I 40: Memphis, Fort Smith

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 40: Memphis, Fort Smith
5
37 mi into trip | ~46m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 40 East: Memphis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 40 East: Memphis
5
138.2 mi into trip | ~2h 28m in

Keep slight right at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$21.95 one way

$43.89 round trip

$3.72/gal 25.4 MPG avg 52 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.13 $24.36 $48.73
premium $4.49 $26.46 $52.91
diesel $5.60 $33.02 $66.04

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$22

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$47–$72

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 52.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 44.9 0 $15.73 $7.19
Efficient EV 37.5 0 $13.11 $5.99
EV Truck/SUV 59.9 0 $20.97 $9.59

Gas CO2

52 kg

EV CO2

18 kg (65% 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 Sep 1, 2026

Origin

Kentucky, AR

Morning in Kentucky on Sunday

Local time

6:36 AM

CDT

Current temp

98°F

Sunny

SE 5 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Heat Advisory

Heat Advisory issued September 1 at 11:42AM CDT until September 1 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Tulsa OK

Heat Advisory

Heat Advisory issued September 1 at 11:42AM CDT until September 2 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Tulsa OK

Destination

Earle, AR

Morning in Earle on Sunday

Local time

6:36 AM

CDT

Current temp

97°F

Sunny

SE 5 mph 2% chance Live forecast

Heat Advisory

Heat Advisory issued September 1 at 11:42AM CDT until September 1 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Tulsa OK

Heat Advisory

Heat Advisory issued September 1 at 11:42AM CDT until September 2 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Tulsa OK

95°F

Jacksonville, AR

75 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

1 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 49m 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Hot Springs National Park

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?

149.8 mi in 2h 49m, mostly highway — 100.5 mi of that is on I 40.

95% 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: 100.5 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 30. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 5.9 miles in.

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 149.8 miles you will encounter 14 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 440 / East Belt Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

376 ft 189 ft

Total Climb

75 ft

Total Descent

221 ft

Highest Point

376 ft

~10.7 mi in

Elevation Range

186 ft

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 Earle, AR, road signs point toward Little Rock River Port, Memphis and Fort Smith.

Little Rock River Port

26.7 mi in | ~34m | via I 440

Memphis

26.7 mi in | ~34m | via I 440

Fort Smith

36.7 mi in | ~45m

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

Arriving in Earle, AR

Full guide →

Top landmarks

  • • Missouri Pacific Depot — railway station in Earle, the United States of America

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 49m. Total distance: 149.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 49m 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 100.5 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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 Earle, 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 26.7 miles (I 440 / East Belt Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Earle, 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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