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Trip from Malvern, AR to Springdale, AR

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 57m

Distance

212.7 mi

342 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$30

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
3h 45m ★
6 AM
3h 58m
8 AM
4h 24m
10 AM
4h 7m
12 PM
4h 4m
3 PM
4h 8m
5 PM
4h 22m
8 PM
3h 50m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in and county seat of Hot Spring County, Arkansas, United States

Malvern, AR

Wikimedia Commons

city in Washington County, Arkansas, United States

Springdale, AR

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 212.7-mile drive from Malvern, Arkansas, to Springdale, Arkansas, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 3 hours and 57 minutes. The route relies heavily on major interstates, with 76% of your travel on highways, making it efficient for covering ground. With an estimated fuel cost of $32, this trip is budget-friendly for a day excursion. You'll be navigating primarily on I-40 and I-49, with a brief stretch on AR-7, offering a consistent driving experience as you traverse within the Southeast region of Arkansas. This is a practical option for a quick trip between these two Arkansas cities.

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

106.4 miles from Malvern, AR

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 4m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 40 64.8 mi 1h 4m
I 49 46.4 mi 47m
AR 7 45.1 mi 51m
4th Street 14.4 mi 16m
Martin Luther King Road 12.7 mi 14m
Hot Springs Bypass 5.9 mi 6m
Union Street 4.9 mi 5m
West Main Street 4.6 mi 7m
Longest stretch: I 40 — 64.8 mi, about 1h 4m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Malvern, AR and Springdale, AR.

1

Start on this road

206 ft · 17 sec · this road
2

Turn right

79 ft · 11 sec
3

Turn left onto US 270B

0.6 mi · 53 sec · South Main Street
4

Continue on US 270B

1.3 mi · 2 min · Martin Luther King Boulevard
5

Continue on US 270B

0.4 mi · 37 sec · Oliver Lancaster Boulevard
6

Continue on US 270B

13 mi · 14 min · Martin Luther King Road
7

Continue on US 270

0.5 mi · 33 sec · Malvern Avenue
8

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec
9

Merge onto US 70

2.0 mi · 2 min · Doctor Martin Luther King, Junior Expressway
10

Continue on Hot Springs Bypass

5.9 mi · 6 min · Hot Springs Bypass
11

Enter roundabout onto AR 7

185 ft · 2 sec · AR 7
12

Continue on AR 7

45 mi · 50 min · AR 7
13

At end of road, turn right onto AR 7

0.2 mi · 20 sec · AR 7
14

At end of road, turn left onto AR 7; AR 10

0.3 mi · 23 sec · South Scenic 7 Drive
15

Continue on AR 7

14 mi · 16 min · 4th Street
16

Continue on AR 7

0.2 mi · 15 sec · North State Highway 7
17

Continue on AR 22

374 ft · 9 sec · AR 22
18

Turn right onto AR 7

4.9 mi · 5 min · Union Street
19

Turn left onto US 64

3.1 mi · 4 min · West Main Street
20

Continue on US 64

1.5 mi · 2 min · West Main Street
21

Turn right onto Mission Road

0.2 mi · 22 sec · Mission Road
22

Continue on Lakewood Drive

367 ft · 9 sec · Lakewood Drive
23

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 38 sec
Exit 78 Toward I-40
24

Merge onto I 40

65 mi · 1 hr 4 min · I 40
25

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 48 sec
Toward I 49 North: Fayetteville
26

Continue on I 49

46 mi · 47 min · I 49
Use the slight right lane.
27

Keep slight right at fork onto US 71B

2.2 mi · 2 min · Fulbright Expressway
Exit 67B Toward US 71B: Fayetteville Business District Use the slight right lane.
28

Continue on US 71B

1.3 mi · 2 min · North College Avenue
29

Continue on US 71B

3.3 mi · 5 min · South Thompson Street
30

Turn right onto West Johnson Avenue

0.6 mi · 1 min · West Johnson Avenue
31

At end of road, turn left onto North Commercial Street

119 ft · 5 sec · North Commercial Street
32

Arrive at destination

North Commercial Street

Trip Plan

Given the manageable 212.7-mile distance and 3 hour and 57 minute duration, this trip is ideal as a day trip, offering flexibility in your departure time. Aiming to leave Malvern earlier in the morning can help you avoid any potential midday traffic, especially as you approach Springdale. With a fuel cost estimated at $32, you'll want to ensure your tank is full before departing Malvern, as the longest stretch without a major exit is over 64 miles on I-40. While there's only one designated stop mentioned, it's wise to take advantage of rest areas or quick stops along I-40 or I-49 as needed to stay refreshed during your drive.

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 106.4 miles from Malvern, AR, or about 2h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 64.8 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 47 miles or 54m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 106.4 miles or 2h 4m 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 13m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Springdale, AR than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Malvern, 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 Malvern, AR

This is one driving day of about 212.7 miles and 3h 57m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Malvern, 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 64.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Delaware, AR, AR

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Delaware, AR

106 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

Hot Springs, AR

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Delaware, AR

Meal break

The midpoint is around 106.4 miles from Malvern, 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 64.8 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · around the midpoint

Old South Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Russellville, Arkansas

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset · 1h 42m in / 2h 16m to go 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+14799683789

Visit website

Old South Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Russellville, Arkansas

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+14799683789

Visit website

Mandalay Fusion

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

Home stretch 3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20

Farmington, Arkansas

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14792679494

Visit website

Simple Simon's Pizza

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20

Farmington, Arkansas

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14793002222

Visit website

Ridgerunner Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

Home stretch 3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20

West Fork, Arkansas

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+14797613843

Visit website

Chick-fil-A

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

Halfway reset 4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour Inexpensiv

Russellville, Arkansas

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+14799670220

Visit website

Wildflower Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~11 min detour

Final third 4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20

Mulberry, Arkansas

Hours: 11 am–7 pm

+14792972005

Pao Peng Asian Cuisines LLC

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

Home stretch 4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20

Springdale, Arkansas

Hours: 11 am–7 pm

+14792312534

Visit website

West Fork Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

Home stretch 4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20

West Fork, Arkansas

Hours: 6 am–3 pm

+14792943041

Visit website

Iron Springs Recreation Area

0 mi from route

Rest Area

0 mi from route

Overlook Rest Area - Westbound

0 mi from route

Ozark Rest Area – Eastbound

0.1 mi from route

Big Piney Rest Area - Westbound

0.1 mi from route

Ozark Rest Area - Westbound

0.1 mi from route

Big Piney Rest Area – Eastbound

0.1 mi from route

Tobo's 66 Travel Plaza

0.1 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.1 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.2 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.2 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.3 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

1 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

2.4 mi from route

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 205.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in

Turn right

Navigation decision point

4
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 270B / South Main Street

Turn left onto US 270B / South Main Street

Navigation decision point

5
23.6 mi into trip | ~28m in | AR 7

Enter roundabout onto AR 7

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

6
93.5 mi into trip | ~1h 50m in

Take the ramp toward I-40

Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch

Exit 78 Toward I-40
8
205.3 mi into trip | ~3h 44m in | US 71B / Fulbright Expressway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 71B / Fulbright Expressway toward US 71B: Fayetteville Business District

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 67B Toward US 71B: Fayetteville Business District

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$29.53 one way

$59.05 round trip

$3.53/gal 25.4 MPG avg 74 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $3.95 $33.04 $66.07
premium $4.29 $35.92 $71.83
diesel $4.80 $40.16 $80.32

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$30

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$55–$80

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 74.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 63.8 0 $22.33 $10.21
Efficient EV 53.2 0 $18.61 $8.51
EV Truck/SUV 85.1 1 $29.78 $13.61

Gas CO2

74 kg

EV CO2

25 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 Jul 18, 2026

Origin

Malvern, AR

Late night in Malvern on Sunday

Local time

5:59 AM

CDT

Current temp

73°F

Mostly Clear

W 0 to 5 mph 3% chance Live forecast

Heat Advisory

Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:38PM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Little Rock AR

Heat Advisory

Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:38PM CDT until July 19 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Little Rock AR

Destination

Springdale, AR

Late night in Springdale on Sunday

Local time

5:59 AM

CDT

Current temp

73°F

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

SW 0 to 10 mph 22% chance Live forecast

Heat Advisory

Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:38PM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Little Rock AR

Heat Advisory

Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:38PM CDT until July 19 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Little Rock AR

95°F

Delaware, AR

106 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 57m 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...

5 mi from route ~13 min detour Free near mile 22
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 76% of the 212.7 miles covered on high-speed roads like I-40 and I-49. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 64.8 miles on I-40, meaning extended periods of consistent driving without frequent exits. While AR-7 offers a change of pace, the overall character is one of efficient travel. This isn't a winding, scenic byway, but rather a direct path designed for covering distance smoothly. You'll experience the rhythm of interstate driving for the majority of your 3 hour and 57 minute journey.

76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 64.8 mi on I 40.

How Hard Is This Drive?

4/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 49. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 3h 57m drive. You will face about 16 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start: Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (US 270B / South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 23.6 miles (AR 7): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

1,429 ft 314 ft

Total Climb

1,575 ft

Total Descent

564 ft

Highest Point

1,429 ft

~197.5 mi in

Elevation Range

1,115 ft

About the Cities

Starting in Malvern, AR

Full guide →

Top landmarks

  • • Malvern station — train station in Malvern, Arkansas

Arriving in Springdale, AR

Full guide →

Founded 1838

Springdale is in the Ozarks region of Northwest Arkansas.

Top landmarks

  • • Shiloh Museum of Ozark History — history museum in Springdale, Arkansas

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 57m. Total distance: 212.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (76%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 64.8 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 14 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: near the start: Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (US 270B / South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 23.6 miles (AR 7): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.

Yes — Hot Springs National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Springdale, 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, 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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