Lowell, AR to Texarkana, AR is 250.8 miles and takes about 4h 59m via US 71 and I 49, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Arkansas, traversing the Southeast region for its entirety. Expect a predominantly highway experience, making it a straightforward option if you're looking for an efficient trip. With only one recommended stop and a largely uninterrupted drive, it's well-suited for a single-day transit.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
125.4 miles from Lowell, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 20m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 71
133.8 mi
2h 38m
I 49
57.8 mi
59m
US 59
44.5 mi
1h
East Collin Raye Drive
8 mi
11m
I 40
4.3 mi
4m
East Monroe Avenue
1.2 mi
2m
East 24th Street
0.3 mi
<1m
County Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 71
— 133.8 mi, about 2h 38m
Traffic on I-540
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,340 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~91 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
14.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 12 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lowell, AR and Texarkana, AR.
1
Start on Jackson Street
500 ft·25 sec·Jackson Street
2
Turn right onto East Monroe Avenue
1.2 mi·2 min·East Monroe Avenue
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·20 sec
4
Merge onto I 49; US 62; US 71
58 mi·59 min·I 49; US 62; US 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·24 sec
Toward I 40 West: Van Buren, Fort Smith
6
Merge onto I 40; US 71
4.3 mi·4 min·I 40; US 71
7
Take the exit onto US 71
12 mi·14 min·US 71
Toward I 540 South, US 71 South: Fort Smith
8
Take the exit onto US 71
0.3 mi·44 sec·US 71
Toward US 71 South: Texarkana
9
Turn left onto US 71
121 mi·2 hr 23 min·US 71
10
Turn left onto US 59; US 70; US 71; US 371
8.0 mi·11 min·East Collin Raye Drive
11
Continue on US 59; US 71; US 371
44 mi·1 hr·US 59; US 71; US 371
12
Turn left onto East 24th Street
0.3 mi·32 sec·East 24th Street
13
Turn right onto County Avenue
0.3 mi·42 sec·County Avenue
14
Turn left onto East 20th Street
180 ft·7 sec·East 20th Street
15
Arrive at destination
East 20th Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4h 59m drive, consider an early morning departure to avoid any potential midday traffic, especially as you approach Texarkana. With only one recommended stop and such a high highway percentage, pacing isn't a major concern, but keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $37 estimate is based on consistent highway speeds. The longest stretch on US 71 is over 130 miles, so ensure you're fueled up before embarking on that segment. This is a trip easily completed in one day, so you have flexibility with your timing.
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 125.4 miles from Lowell, AR, or about 2h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 133.8 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 55 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 125.4 miles or 2h 20m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Texarkana, AR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lowell, 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 Lowell, AR
This is one driving day of about 250.8 miles and 4h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Lowell, 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 71 for about 133.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Home stretch
2.1 mi from route
~5 min detour
$10 to $20
Texarkana, Texas
Hours: 5:30–11 PM
+19037923222
Mr. D’s
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~12 min detour
Home stretch
4.8 mi from route
~12 min detour
$10 to $20
Texarkana, Arkansas
Hours: Closed
+18707723819
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.6 and 250.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.6 mi into trip|~3m in|I 49; US 62; US 71
Merge onto I 49; US 62; US 71
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
59.4 mi into trip|~1h 2m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 40 West: Van Buren, Fort Smith
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 40 West: Van Buren, Fort Smith
5
64 mi into trip|~1h 7m in|US 71
Take the exit onto US 71 toward I 540 South, US 71 South: Fort Smith
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 540 South, US 71 South: Fort Smith
5
250.5 mi into trip|~4h 59m in|County Avenue
Turn right onto County Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
250.8 mi into trip|~4h 59m in|East 20th Street
Turn left onto East 20th Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.82 one way
$69.63 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg88 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$38.95
$77.91
premium
$4.29
$42.35
$84.70
diesel
$4.80
$47.36
$94.71
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
75.2
0
$26.33
$12.04
Efficient EV
62.7
0
$21.95
$10.03
EV Truck/SUV
100.3
1
$35.11
$16.05
Gas CO2
88 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Lowell, AR
Late night
in Lowell on Sunday
Local time
4:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Mostly Clear
S 5 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 4:25AM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:07AM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Little Rock AR
Destination
Texarkana, AR
Late night
in Texarkana on Sunday
Local time
4:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 4:25AM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:07AM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Little Rock AR
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
22 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
4h 59m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 96% highway, meaning you'll spend most of your time on high-speed roads. The longest stretch without a significant break is 133.8 miles, primarily on US 71. You'll notice a consistent flow of traffic and relatively few exits for extended periods. The transition to surface roads will be minimal, occurring only in the final moments of your drive.
96% 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: 133.8 mi on US 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 71 and I 49. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1.6 miles in near I 49; US 62; US 71.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 59m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.6 miles (I 49; US 62; US 71): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 59.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 64 miles (US 71): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,510 ft329 ft
Total Climb
1,056 ft
Total Descent
2,039 ft
Highest Point
1,510 ft
~35.8 mi in
Elevation Range
1,181 ft
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 Lowell, AR to Texarkana, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Fort Smith along the way.
The longest stretch is about 133.8 miles on US 71. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 6 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 1.6 miles (I 49; US 62; US 71): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 59.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 64 miles (US 71): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 10.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Texarkana, AR, but most travelers stay overnight.
