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Trip from Mountain Home, AR to Kentucky, AR

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

Drive Time

1h 51m

Distance

89 mi

143 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$13

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 25 min
4 AM
1h 43m ★
6 AM
1h 51m
8 AM
2h 8m
10 AM
1h 57m
12 PM
1h 55m
3 PM
1h 58m
5 PM
2h 7m
8 PM
1h 46m

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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Downtown Mountain Home, AR, AR

Mountain Home, AR

Mark Stebnicki

Downtown Kentucky, AR, AR

Kentucky, AR

Owen.outdoors

Trip Overview

This straightforward 89-mile drive from Mountain Home, Arkansas to Kentucky, Arkansas, is easily managed in under two hours, making it an ideal day trip. You'll primarily be on I-57 and I-30, with a brief segment on AR 16, ensuring a highway-focused experience. With a fuel cost estimated at $14, this route is quite budget-friendly for a single day's adventure. Since there are no recommended stops, you can easily complete this journey without an overnight stay, giving you flexibility in your schedule. The drive stays within the Southeast region, offering a consistent feel throughout your travels.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

44.5 miles from Mountain Home, AR

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 57m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 57 41.6 mi 42m
I 30 20.8 mi 23m
AR 16 10.4 mi 18m
Old Hot Springs Highway 5.7 mi 10m
US 167 4.9 mi 6m
South Main Street 2.6 mi 4m
I 40 0.9 mi 1m
North Elm Street 0.5 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 57 — 41.6 mi, about 42m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Mountain Home, AR and Kentucky, AR.

1

Start on AR 16

10 mi · 18 min · AR 16
2

Turn left onto AR 16

0.2 mi · 35 sec · West Race Avenue
3

Turn right onto North Elm Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · North Elm Street
4

Turn left onto AR 36

0.2 mi · 30 sec · West Beebe Capps Expressway
5

Turn right onto I 57 Business

2.6 mi · 4 min · South Main Street
6

Take the ramp onto I 57 Business

0.5 mi · 1 min · I 57 Business
7

Merge onto I 57; US 64; US 167

13 mi · 13 min · I 57; US 64; US 167
8

Continue on I 57; US 167

28 mi · 29 min · I 57; US 167
9

Merge onto I 40; US 167

0.9 mi · 1 min · I 40; US 167
10

Take the exit onto US 167

4.9 mi · 6 min · US 167
Toward I 30 West, US 65 South, US 67 South, US 167 South: Little Rock
11

Keep slight right at fork onto I 30; US 67

21 mi · 23 min · I 30; US 67
Exit 138 Toward Texarkana Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 12 sec
Toward AR 5, AR 35: Benton
13

Turn straight onto AR 5

0.4 mi · 37 sec · I-30 Frontage Road
14

Turn slight right onto AR 5

0.2 mi · 19 sec · Old Hot Springs Highway
15

Continue on AR 5

5.5 mi · 9 min · Old Hot Springs Highway
16

Arrive at destination

AR 5

Trip Plan

Given its short duration of just over an hour and a half, this route offers significant flexibility. You can depart anytime that suits you, as there's no need to break it into multiple days. Plan for one fuel stop if your vehicle's range is less than the 41.6-mile longest stretch on I-57, though with a $14 fuel cost, topping off is inexpensive. Since no specific stops are recommended, feel free to make spontaneous breaks as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially if you're driving during off-peak hours when services might be less frequent.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 44.5 miles from Mountain Home, AR, or about 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 41.6 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 20 miles or 32m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 44.5 miles or 57m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 32m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Mountain Home, AR so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Mountain Home, AR

This is one driving day of about 89 miles and 1h 51m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Mountain Home, AR.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 57 for about 41.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Sherwood, AR, AR

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Sherwood, AR

45 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

Beebe, AR

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 20 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Jacksonville, AR

Meal break

The midpoint is around 44.5 miles from Mountain Home, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

The Purple Cow Restaurant (North Little Rock)

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

North Little Rock, Arkansas

Around the midpoint, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 57.2

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15019047269

Visit website

The Purple Cow Restaurant (North Little Rock)

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 57.2

North Little Rock, Arkansas

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15019047269

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 8

5 decision points cluster between mile 10.7 and 82.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

3
10.7 mi into trip | ~19m in | North Elm Street

Turn right onto North Elm Street

Navigation decision point

4
11.2 mi into trip | ~20m in | AR 36 / West Beebe Capps Expressway

Turn left onto AR 36 / West Beebe Capps Expressway

Navigation decision point

5
57 mi into trip | ~1h 10m in | US 167

Take the exit onto US 167 toward I 30 West, US 65 South, US 67 South, US 167 South: Little Rock

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 30 West, US 65 South, US 67 South, US...
8
61.9 mi into trip | ~1h 17m 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
5
82.7 mi into trip | ~1h 40m in

Take the exit toward AR 5, AR 35: Benton

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward AR 5, AR 35: Benton

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$13.44 one way

$26.88 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 31 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $14.76 $29.51
premium $4.56 $15.97 $31.95
diesel $5.61 $19.65 $39.30

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$13

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$38–$63

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 31.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 26.7 0 $9.34 $4.27
Efficient EV 22.3 0 $7.79 $3.56
EV Truck/SUV 35.6 0 $12.46 $5.70

Gas CO2

31 kg

EV CO2

10 kg (68% 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

Mountain Home, AR

Late night in Mountain Home on Sunday

Local time

3:09 AM

CDT

Current temp

78°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Kentucky, AR

Late night in Kentucky on Sunday

Local time

3:09 AM

CDT

Current temp

76°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

1h 51m 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

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...

24 mi from route ~59 min detour Free near mile 89
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 highway-centric journey for 90% of this 89-mile trip, primarily utilizing I-57 and I-30. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 41.6 miles on I-57, offering a chance to settle into a steady pace. While the profile is largely highway-focused, the inclusion of AR 16 suggests a brief transition to a more local road feel before rejoining the main arteries. This blend means you'll experience efficient travel for most of the drive, with a short detour through potentially different scenery.

90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 41.6 mi on I 57.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and I 30. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 10.7 miles in near North Elm Street.

Driving Effort 5/10

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 89 miles you will encounter 8 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 10.7 miles (North Elm Street): Navigation decision point; at 11.2 miles (AR 36 / West Beebe Capps Expressway): Navigation decision point; at 57 miles (US 167): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

425 ft 226 ft

Total Climb

279 ft

Total Descent

223 ft

Highest Point

425 ft

~82.6 mi in

Elevation Range

199 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 Mountain Home, AR to Kentucky, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Texarkana along the way.

Texarkana

61.9 mi in | ~1h 17m | via I 30; US 67

About the Cities

Starting in Mountain Home, AR

Full guide →

Mountain Home is a city of 13,000 people (2019) in the southern Ozark Mountains of Arkansas near the northern state border with Missouri. It is the center of the Twin Lakes area, with Norfork Lake 15 minutes to the east and Bull Shoals Lake 20 minutes to the northwest.

Arriving in Kentucky, AR

Full guide →

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.

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 1h 51m. Total distance: 89 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 41.6 miles on I 57. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

The main spots that need attention: at 10.7 miles (North Elm Street): Navigation decision point; at 11.2 miles (AR 36 / West Beebe Capps Expressway): Navigation decision point; at 57 miles (US 167): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Kentucky, AR before heading back.

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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