Mena, AR to Conway, AR is 156.6 miles and takes about 3h 17m via US 270, US 70, and Highway 88, with a fuel budget near $24 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This highway-focused drive primarily stays within the Southeast region of Arkansas. It's a straightforward journey that makes for a comfortable one-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without feeling overly rushed. Consider this route if you're looking for a practical and efficient way to travel 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
78.3 miles from Mena, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 270
52.7 mi
59m
US 70
31.8 mi
37m
Highway 88
23.3 mi
40m
I 40
20.1 mi
20m
East Grand Avenue
18.2 mi
22m
AR 88
6.1 mi
10m
Pickering
1.7 mi
1m
East Oak Street
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 270
— 52.7 mi, about 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mena, AR and Conway, AR.
1
Start on DeQueen Street
80 ft·8 sec·DeQueen Street
2
Turn left onto Church Avenue
375 ft·18 sec·Church Avenue
3
Turn right onto AR 88
0.3 mi·40 sec·Mena Street
4
Turn left onto US 59; US 71; AR 8
1.7 mi·1 min·Pickering
5
Turn right onto AR 88
6.1 mi·10 min·AR 88
6
Keep slight left at fork onto AR 88
23 mi·40 min·Highway 88
7
At end of road, turn right onto US 270
41 mi·47 min·US 270
8
Take the exit onto US 270
11 mi·12 min·US 270
9
Take the exit onto US 70
0.5 mi·1 min·US 70
10
Merge onto US 70
18 mi·22 min·East Grand Avenue
11
Keep slight left at fork onto US 70
18 mi·20 min·US 70
12
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.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·49 sec
Exit 13BToward I 40 West: Fort Smith, Oklahoma City
14
Merge onto I 40; US 65
20 mi·20 min·I 40; US 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward US 64
16
Keep slight left at fork
271 ft·8 sec
17
Turn left onto US 64
1.0 mi·1 min·East Oak Street
18
Keep slight left at fork onto Oak Street
0.3 mi·38 sec·Oak Street
19
Turn left onto Locust Avenue
497 ft·19 sec·Locust Avenue
20
Turn left onto Main Street
104 ft·4 sec·Main Street
21
Arrive at destination
Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 17m duration, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to give yourself ample daylight for the 156.6-mile drive. With only one suggested stop and a fuel cost estimated at $24, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 52.7-mile stretch on US 270, as services might be less frequent there. This route is best tackled with a full tank to maximize your comfort.
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 78.3 miles from Mena, AR, or about 1h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 52.7 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 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78.3 miles or 1h 47m 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 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Conway, AR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Mena, 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 Mena, AR
This is one driving day of about 156.6 miles and 3h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Mena, 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 270 for about 52.7 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 155.2 — 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|Church Avenue
Turn left onto Church Avenue
Navigation decision point
8
121.1 mi into trip|~2h 37m 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
134.2 mi into trip|~2h 52m 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
134.9 mi into trip|~2h 53m 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
155.2 mi into trip|~3h 14m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.65 one way
$47.30 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg55 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$25.96
$51.92
premium
$4.56
$28.11
$56.22
diesel
$5.61
$34.58
$69.15
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
47
0
$16.44
$7.52
Efficient EV
39.2
0
$13.70
$6.26
EV Truck/SUV
62.6
0
$21.92
$10.02
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Mena, AR
Late night
in Mena on Sunday
Local time
2:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Conway, AR
Late night
in Conway on Sunday
Local time
2:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°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
5 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
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.
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 75.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is largely a highway-focused drive, with 86% of the journey utilizing main roads. You'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch on US 270, covering 52.7 miles. Expect a driving experience that balances quicker highway sections with more local road segments. The character of the drive shifts as you transition between US 270, US 70, and Highway 88, offering a varied, though consistently highway-oriented, travel experience.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 52.7 mi on US 270.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 270 and US 70. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Church Avenue.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 156.6 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: near the start (Church Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 121.1 miles (US 70): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 134.2 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 Mena, AR to Conway, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Oklahoma City along the way.
Oklahoma City
134.2 mi in|~2h 52m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 17m. Total distance: 156.6 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 (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 52.7 miles on US 270. 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 Conway, 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: near the start (Church Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 121.1 miles (US 70): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 134.2 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 3.3 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 Conway, AR, but most travelers stay overnight.
