Origin
Kentucky, AR
Late night in Kentucky on Tuesday
Local time
5:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Kentucky, AR to London, 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
1h 55m
Distance
105.8 mi
170 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 47m
★
6 AM
1h 56m
8 AM
2h 12m
10 AM
2h 1m
12 PM
2h 0m
3 PM
2h 2m
5 PM
2h 12m
8 PM
1h 51m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kentucky, AR
Owen.outdoors
London, AR
Gül Işık
Trip Overview
Kentucky, AR to London, AR is 105.8 miles and takes about 1 hour 55 minutes via I 40 and US 70, with a fuel budget near $16 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Arkansas, traversing the Southeast region for its entirety. Expect a drive that is predominantly highway, making for a relatively quick and straightforward journey. It’s a solid option if you’re looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without much fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
52.9 miles from Kentucky, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 1m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 73 mi | 1h 13m |
| US 70 | 13.1 mi | 15m |
| I 30 | 11.7 mi | 12m |
| Old Hot Springs Highway | 5.5 mi | 9m |
| AR 333 | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| AR 35 | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| I-30 Frontage Road | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 73 mi, about 1h 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kentucky, AR and London, 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
12 mi
·
12 min
·
I 30; US 67; US 70
7
Take the exit onto US 70
13 mi
·
15 min
·
US 70
Exit 129
Toward I 430 North, US 70: Fort Smith
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi
·
49 sec
Exit 13B
Toward I 40 West: Fort Smith, Oklahoma City
9
Merge onto I 40; US 65
73 mi
·
1 hr 13 min
·
I 40; US 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Toward AR 333: London
11
Keep slight left at fork
120 ft
·
3 sec
12
Turn straight onto AR 333
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
AR 333
13
Turn left onto AR 333
243 ft
·
7 sec
·
AR 333
14
Turn right onto AR 333
430 ft
·
11 sec
·
AR 333
15
Arrive at destination
AR 333
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of just under 2 hours, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. You can afford to leave later in the morning and still arrive with plenty of daylight. Since the longest uninterrupted stretch is 73 miles on I 40, plan your fuel stops accordingly, though with a $16 fuel cost, you likely won't need to stop often. Keep an eye out for the transition from I 40 to US 70, as this is where the road character shifts slightly.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 52.9 miles from Kentucky, AR, or about 1h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73 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 23 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52.9 miles or 1h 1m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near London, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Kentucky, AR
This is one driving day of about 105.8 miles and 1h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Kentucky, AR.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 73 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
53 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 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 52.9 miles from Kentucky, 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 73 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 105 decision points cluster between mile 5.9 and 105.1 — 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
8
18.1 mi into trip
|
~24m in
|
US 70
Take the exit onto US 70 toward I 430 North, US 70: Fort Smith
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 129
Toward I 430 North, US 70: Fort Smith
7
31.2 mi into trip
|
~39m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 40 West: Fort Smith, Oklahoma City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 13B
Toward I 40 West: Fort Smith, Oklahoma City
5
31.9 mi into trip
|
~40m in
|
I 40; US 65
Merge onto I 40; US 65
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
105.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 54m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.98 one way
$31.96 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
37 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $17.54 | $35.08 |
| premium | $4.56 | $18.99 | $37.98 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $23.36 | $46.72 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 31.7 | 0 | $11.11 | $5.08 |
| Efficient EV | 26.5 | 0 | $9.26 | $4.23 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 42.3 | 0 | $14.81 | $6.77 |
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (68% 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
London, AR
Late night in London on Tuesday
Local time
5:34 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
2 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
1h 55m 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 heavily highway-focused, with 94% of the drive utilizing major roadways. You'll spend a good portion of your time on Interstate 40, including a continuous stretch of 73 miles. While I 40 provides efficient travel, the inclusion of US 70 offers a slight variation in the driving experience before you connect with I 30. Overall, it’s a steady pace with limited slowdowns, ideal for covering ground quickly.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 73 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and US 70. 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 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 105.8 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 18.1 miles (US 70): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 31.2 miles: 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.
On the drive from Kentucky, AR to London, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Oklahoma City along the way.
Oklahoma City
31.2 mi in
|
~39m
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 1h 55m. Total distance: 105.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 73 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 London, AR before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.9 miles: Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 18.1 miles (US 70): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 31.2 miles: 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 London, 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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