Spanning 176.3 miles across Arkansas, this trip from Mulberry to Pine Bluff is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 3 hours and 5 minutes. Since the entire drive is within the Southeast region, you won't experience drastic shifts in landscape, making it a manageable one-day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. You can expect to spend roughly $24 on fuel for the trek. By utilizing I-40 and I-530, you stay on efficient, high-speed corridors for nearly the entire duration. It is a practical, no-nonsense route ideal for travelers looking to reach their destination quickly without navigating complex backroads.
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
88.2 miles from Mulberry, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 30m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
128.8 mi
2h 9m
I 530
35 mi
35m
US 65B
5.6 mi
9m
US 65
4.6 mi
6m
North Main Street
1.9 mi
3m
South Main Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
West Barraque Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
North Pine Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 128.8 mi, about 2h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mulberry, AR and Pine Bluff, AR.
1
Start on East 5th Street
88 ft·6 sec·East 5th Street
2
Turn right onto AR 917
1.9 mi·3 min·North Main Street
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·40 sec
4
Merge onto I 40
129 mi·2 hr 9 min·I 40
5
Take the exit onto US 65
4.6 mi·6 min·US 65
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 530; US 65; US 167
35 mi·35 min·I 530; US 65; US 167
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit onto US 65B
5.6 mi·9 min·US 65B
8
Turn right onto North Pine Street
302 ft·18 sec·North Pine Street
9
Turn left onto West Barraque Street
312 ft·15 sec·West Barraque Street
10
Turn right onto South Main Street
349 ft·15 sec·South Main Street
11
Arrive at destination
South Main Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience without needing an aggressive schedule. Plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs, which will keep you alert during the long highway stretches. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Mulberry; while $24 is a reasonable estimate, it is always wise to fill up at the start to avoid unnecessary detours. Given the heavy reliance on I-40, check traffic reports for potential congestion before you head out. Embracing the efficiency of this route allows you to arrive in Pine Bluff with plenty of energy for your plans once you arrive.
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 88.2 miles from Mulberry, AR, or about 1h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 128.8 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 39 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 88.2 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pine Bluff, AR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Mulberry, 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 Mulberry, AR
This is one driving day of about 176.3 miles and 3h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Mulberry, 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 128.8 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 176.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|AR 917 / North Main Street
Turn right onto AR 917 / North Main Street
Navigation decision point
6
135.6 mi into trip|~2h 20m in|I 530; US 65; US 167
Keep slight left at fork onto I 530; US 65; US 167
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
4
176.2 mi into trip|~3h 5m in|North Pine Street
Turn right onto North Pine Street
Navigation decision point
5
176.2 mi into trip|~3h 5m in|West Barraque Street
Turn left onto West Barraque Street
Navigation decision point
5
176.3 mi into trip|~3h 5m in|South Main Street
Turn right onto South Main Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.63 one way
$53.25 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg62 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$29.23
$58.46
premium
$4.56
$31.64
$63.29
diesel
$5.61
$38.92
$77.85
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
52.9
0
$18.51
$8.46
Efficient EV
44.1
0
$15.43
$7.05
EV Truck/SUV
70.5
0
$24.68
$11.28
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 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 Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Mulberry, AR
Morning
in Mulberry on Tuesday
Local time
7:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Pine Bluff, AR
Morning
in Pine Bluff on Tuesday
Local time
7:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°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 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 5m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highly efficient experience, as 99% of this trip is comprised of highway driving. You will spend the bulk of your time on the interstate, including a significant 128.8-mile uninterrupted stretch along I-40. The route maintains a consistent, fast-paced rhythm that is perfect for those who prefer interstate travel over navigating local traffic. As you transition from the initial highway segments onto I-530 and eventually US 65B, the road remains focused on speed and directness. Behind the wheel, this means you can settle into a steady cruising speed for the vast majority of your time on the road.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
11 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 128.8 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 530. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near AR 917 / North Main Street.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 5m drive. You will face about 9 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 (AR 917 / North Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 135.6 miles (I 530; US 65; US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 176.2 miles (North Pine Street): Navigation decision point.
The longest stretch is about 128.8 miles on I 40. 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.
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 (AR 917 / North Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 135.6 miles (I 530; US 65; US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 176.2 miles (North Pine Street): Navigation decision point.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Pine Bluff, AR, but most travelers stay overnight.
