Origin
Little Rock, AR
Night in Little Rock on Saturday
Local time
11:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Little Rock, AR to De Queen, AR
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 17m
Distance
144.5 mi
233 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 6m
★
6 AM
3h 18m
8 AM
3h 42m
10 AM
3h 26m
12 PM
3h 24m
3 PM
3h 27m
5 PM
3h 41m
8 PM
3h 11m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Little Rock, AR
Wikimedia Commons
De Queen, AR
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Little Rock to De Queen is 144.5 miles and takes about 3 hours 17 minutes via US 70 and I 30, with a fuel budget near $22 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Arkansas, moving from the Southeast region toward the Southwest. It's a straightforward, highway-focused journey perfect for a single-day trip. Plan for a day that's mostly about efficient travel between these two points.
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
72.3 miles from Little Rock, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 30m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 70 | 99.1 mi | 2h 19m |
| I 30 | 28.2 mi | 31m |
| US 59 | 8.7 mi | 12m |
| Airport Road | 5.7 mi | 8m |
| Wilbur D. Mills Freeway | 1.4 mi | 1m |
| North 4th Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| State Capitol | 0.2 mi | 1m |
| Dr Martin Luther King Drive | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 70
— 99.1 mi, about 2h 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Little Rock, AR and De Queen, AR.
1
Start on this road
385 ft
·
35 sec
·
this road
2
Turn sharp left onto State Capitol
361 ft
·
16 sec
·
State Capitol
3
Continue on State Capitol
528 ft
·
23 sec
·
State Capitol
4
Turn left onto Capitol Mall
116 ft
·
7 sec
·
Capitol Mall
5
Turn right onto State Capitol
387 ft
·
22 sec
·
State Capitol
6
Turn left onto West 7th Street
286 ft
·
13 sec
·
West 7th Street
7
Turn right onto Dr Martin Luther King Drive
473 ft
·
21 sec
·
Dr Martin Luther King Drive
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Use the left lane.
9
Merge onto I 630
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Wilbur D. Mills Freeway
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Exit 139B
Toward I 30 West: Texarkana
11
Merge onto I 30; US 65; US 67; US 167
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
I 30; US 65; US 67; US 167
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 30; US 67
24 mi
·
26 min
·
I 30; US 67
Exit 138
Toward Texarkana
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 30; US 70
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
I 30; US 70
14
Take the exit onto US 70
19 mi
·
22 min
·
US 70
Toward US-70 West: Hot Springs
15
Take the exit onto US 70
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
US 70
16
Keep slight left at fork onto US 70
11 mi
·
11 min
·
US 70
17
Take the exit onto US 70
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
·
US 70
18
Turn left onto US 70
5.7 mi
·
8 min
·
Airport Road
19
Continue on US 70
31 mi
·
46 min
·
US 70
20
Continue on US 70
38 mi
·
56 min
·
US 70
21
Continue on US 59; US 70; US 71; US 371
8.7 mi
·
12 min
·
US 59; US 70; US 71; US 371
22
Turn left onto North 4th Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North 4th Street
23
Turn left onto West Dequeen Avenue
53 ft
·
2 sec
·
West Dequeen Avenue
24
Arrive at destination
West Dequeen Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour 17-minute duration, it's best to start your drive from Little Rock in the morning to give yourself ample time. While there's only one recommended stop, consider breaking up the 99.1-mile stretch on US 70 if you feel the need. Fuel costs are estimated at $22, so ensure your tank is full before departing Little Rock, as major services might be less frequent on the longer highway segments. This is a manageable one-day drive, so you have flexibility in your departure time.
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 72.3 miles from Little Rock, AR, or about 1h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.1 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 32 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 72.3 miles or 1h 30m 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 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near De Queen, AR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Little Rock, 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 Little Rock, AR
This is one driving day of about 144.5 miles and 3h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Little Rock, 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 70 for about 99.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
72 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 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 72.3 miles from Little Rock, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 70 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 99.1 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 175 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 3.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
State Capitol
Turn sharp left onto State Capitol
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
5
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
West 7th Street
Turn left onto West 7th Street
Navigation decision point
7
0.5 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
2.1 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 30 West: Texarkana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 139B
Toward I 30 West: Texarkana
8
3.5 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
I 30; US 67
Keep slight right at fork onto I 30; US 67 toward Texarkana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 138
Toward Texarkana
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.82 one way
$43.65 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
51 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $23.96 | $47.91 |
| premium | $4.56 | $25.94 | $51.87 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $31.90 | $63.81 |
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: 50.6 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 | 43.4 | 0 | $15.17 | $6.94 |
| Efficient EV | 36.1 | 0 | $12.64 | $5.78 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 57.8 | 0 | $20.23 | $9.25 |
Gas CO2
51 kg
EV CO2
17 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
De Queen, AR
Night in De Queen on Saturday
Local time
11:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°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
3h 17m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 95% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll experience 99.1 miles on US 70, which forms the longest continuous stretch of your journey. Expect a consistent pace for most of the drive, as you'll be on interstates and well-maintained US highways for the vast majority of the 144.5 miles. The road character remains largely consistent, emphasizing efficient travel rather than winding scenic byways.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99.1 mi on US 70.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 70 and I 30. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near State Capitol.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 144.5 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (State Capitol): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 0.3 miles (West 7th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Starting in Little Rock, AR
Full guide →Little Rock is the capital and the largest city of the state of Arkansas. Little Rock is a cultural, economic, government, and transportation center within Arkansas and the American South. Several cultural institutions are in Little Rock, along with hiking, boating, and other outdoor recreational opportunities. Little Rock's history is available through history museums, historic districts or neighborhoods.
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 3h 17m. Total distance: 144.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 17m 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 99.1 miles on US 70. 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.
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 De Queen, 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 0.1 miles (State Capitol): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 0.3 miles (West 7th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.6 hours — manageable with a long break at De Queen, AR, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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