Kentucky, AR to Yellville, AR is 152.5 miles and takes about 3h 32m via US 65 and State Highway 14, with a fuel budget near $23 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region of Arkansas, offering a straightforward journey between two points. With an 86% highway share, expect a relatively efficient drive for a single day. This route is ideal if you're looking for a direct path with minimal fuss, making it a good option for a quick trip.
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
76.3 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
US 65
26.6 mi
36m
State Highway 14
23.5 mi
41m
US Highway 65
23.1 mi
31m
I 40
21.7 mi
21m
US 70
13.1 mi
15m
South Broadview Street
11.8 mi
16m
I 30
11.7 mi
12m
AR 27
10.6 mi
18m
Longest stretch:
US 65
— 26.6 mi, about 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kentucky, AR and Yellville, 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 129Toward I 430 North, US 70: Fort SmithUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·49 sec
Exit 13BToward I 40 West: Fort Smith, Oklahoma City
9
Merge onto I 40; US 65
22 mi·21 min·I 40; US 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit onto US 65
0.4 mi·50 sec·US 65
Toward US 65 North, US 65B South
11
Merge onto US 65
1.3 mi·2 min·Skyline Drive
12
Continue on US 65
3.2 mi·4 min·US Highway 65
13
Continue on US 65
12 mi·16 min·South Broadview Street
14
Continue on US 65
1.5 mi·1 min·US Highway 65
15
Continue on US 65
0.7 mi·56 sec·North Broadview Street
16
Continue on US 65
1.1 mi·1 min·South Broadway
17
Continue on US 65; Hwy 124
18 mi·25 min·US Highway 65
18
Continue on US 65; AR 9; AR 16
26 mi·36 min·US 65; AR 9; AR 16
19
Take the exit
208 ft·5 sec
20
Turn straight onto AR 27
11 mi·18 min·AR 27
21
Continue on AR 14
24 mi·41 min·State Highway 14
22
At end of road, turn left onto US 62; US 412; AR 14
0.3 mi·19 sec·US 62; US 412; AR 14
23
Arrive at destination
US 62; US 412
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 3h 32m duration, starting your drive any time in the morning will allow you ample daylight to reach Yellville, AR. With a fuel cost estimated at $23, planning your fuel stops should be straightforward. Keep an eye on your gauge, especially during the longest stretch of 26.6 miles on US 65, to ensure you have enough fuel. Since this is a single-day trip, flexibility in your departure time is a key advantage, allowing you to adjust based on your morning's activities.
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 76.3 miles from Kentucky, AR, or about 1h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 26.6 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 34 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.3 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 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Yellville, 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 152.5 miles and 3h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 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 26.6 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 53.5 — 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
53.5 mi into trip|~1h 2m in|US 65
Take the exit onto US 65 toward US 65 North, US 65B South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 65 North, US 65B South
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.03 one way
$46.06 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg53 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$25.28
$50.57
premium
$4.56
$27.37
$54.74
diesel
$5.61
$33.67
$67.34
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
45.8
0
$16.01
$7.32
Efficient EV
38.1
0
$13.34
$6.10
EV Truck/SUV
61
0
$21.35
$9.76
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (66% 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
Afternoon
in Kentucky on Sunday
Local time
4:51 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Yellville, AR
Afternoon
in Yellville on Sunday
Local time
4:51 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
75°F
Clinton, AR
76 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 32m 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?
This drive is primarily highway-focused, with 86% of the route on main roads like US 65 and State Highway 14. You'll encounter an 86% highway share, meaning you'll spend most of your time on faster, more direct roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 26.6 miles on US 65, providing a good period of consistent travel. The road character suggests a generally smooth experience without excessive turns or slow-downs, making it suitable for those who prefer consistent driving.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 26.6 mi on US 65.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 65 and State Highway 14. 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 152.5 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.
On the drive from Kentucky, AR to Yellville, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Oklahoma City along the way.
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 32m. Total distance: 152.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 26.6 miles on US 65. 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.
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 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Yellville, AR, but most travelers stay overnight.
