Spanning 108.4 miles, the drive from Murfreesboro to North Little Rock is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 22 minutes. Because this is a relatively short distance, you can easily complete the entire trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $17 on fuel, making this an affordable excursion within the Southeast region of Arkansas. You will primarily navigate via AR 26 and I-30, moving from the smaller community of Murfreesboro toward the more urban environment of North Little Rock. Planning for this trip is uncomplicated, as it functions perfectly as a direct transit route for those looking to reach the state's central hub efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
54.2 miles from Murfreesboro, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 24m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 30
68.7 mi
1h 12m
AR 26
21 mi
36m
Highway 26
9.9 mi
17m
Hollywood Road
4.7 mi
8m
State Highway 19/State Highway 26/13th Street
0.9 mi
1m
Antioch Street
0.9 mi
1m
North Washington Avenue
0.5 mi
<1m
East 13th Street
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 30
— 68.7 mi, about 1h 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Murfreesboro, AR and North Little Rock, AR.
1
Start on Courthouse Square
92 ft·7 sec·Courthouse Square
2
Turn sharp right onto AR 27
154 ft·3 sec·Main Street
3
Continue on AR 27
0.5 mi·55 sec·North Washington Avenue
4
Continue on AR 19; AR 27
0.5 mi·52 sec·East 13th Street
5
Turn right onto AR 19; AR 26
0.9 mi·1 min·State Highway 19/State Highway 26/13th Street
6
Continue on AR 19; AR 26
9.9 mi·17 min·Highway 26
7
Continue on AR 19; AR 26
0.9 mi·1 min·Antioch Street
8
Turn slight left onto AR 26
21 mi·36 min·AR 26
9
Continue on AR 51
4.7 mi·8 min·Hollywood Road
10
At end of road, turn right onto AR 8; AR 51
0.3 mi·31 sec·Pine Street
11
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·29 sec
Toward AR 8, AR 26, AR 51: Arkadelphia
12
Merge onto I 30
64 mi·1 hr 7 min·I 30
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30; US 67
0.7 mi·49 sec·I 30; US 67
14
Continue on I 30; US 65; US 67; US 167
3.7 mi·4 min·I 30; US 65; US 67; US 167
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward Curtis Sykes Drive
16
Turn straight onto North Locust Street
106 ft·7 sec·North Locust Street
17
Turn left onto East 15th Street
0.3 mi·50 sec·East 15th Street
18
Turn right onto North Main Street
443 ft·8 sec·North Main Street
19
Arrive at destination
North Main Street
Trip Plan
Since the total drive time is under two and a half hours, you have significant flexibility to depart at a time that best fits your schedule without worrying about mid-trip lodging. While there are no mandated stops for this 108.4-mile trek, consider checking your fuel levels before merging onto I-30 to avoid unnecessary detours during the long 68.7-mile interstate stretch. If you prefer avoiding heavy traffic, try to time your arrival in North Little Rock to miss typical weekday rush hours. Keep a close eye on your speed when transitioning off the highway and back onto local roads near your destination. This route is designed for efficiency, so pack your essentials ahead of time to make the most of your quick transition between these two Arkansas locations.
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 54.2 miles from Murfreesboro, AR, or about 1h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 68.7 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 24 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 54.2 miles or 1h 24m 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
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near North Little Rock, AR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Murfreesboro, 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 Murfreesboro, AR
This is one driving day of about 108.4 miles and 2h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Murfreesboro, AR.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 30 for about 68.7 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 107.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in|AR 27 / Main Street
Turn sharp right onto AR 27 / Main Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
4
38.5 mi into trip|~1h 7m in|AR 8; AR 51 / Pine Street
At end of road, turn right onto AR 8; AR 51 / Pine Street
Navigation decision point
6
38.7 mi into trip|~1h 8m in
Take the ramp toward AR 8, AR 26, AR 51: Arkadelphia
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward AR 8, AR 26, AR 51: Arkadelphia
4
103.4 mi into trip|~2h 15m in|I 30; US 67
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30; US 67
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
4
107.8 mi into trip|~2h 21m in
Take the exit toward Curtis Sykes Drive
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward Curtis Sykes Drive
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.37 one way
$32.74 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg38 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$17.97
$35.94
premium
$4.56
$19.46
$38.91
diesel
$5.61
$23.93
$47.87
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
32.5
0
$11.38
$5.20
Efficient EV
27.1
0
$9.49
$4.34
EV Truck/SUV
43.4
0
$15.18
$6.94
Gas CO2
38 kg
EV CO2
13 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 15, 2026
Origin
Murfreesboro, AR
Afternoon
in Murfreesboro on Sunday
Local time
12:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
North Little Rock, AR
Afternoon
in North Little Rock on Sunday
Local time
12:47 PM
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
3 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
2h 22m 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...
16 mi from route
~39 min detour
Free
near mile 59.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
With a high highway-focused profile, 93% of this trip is spent on major roads, ensuring a consistent pace throughout your travel. You will find yourself quickly transitioning onto I-30, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of the route at 68.7 miles. The drive begins with local navigation on AR 26 before opening up into the faster, more industrial flow of the interstate system. While the road lacks technical complexity, the shift from rural highway to the multi-lane interstate provides a clear change in the driving experience. Expect a steady, functional commute that prioritizes speed and directness over winding, scenic detours.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 68.7 mi on I 30.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 30 and AR 26. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near AR 27 / 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 2h 22m 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 27 / Main Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 38.5 miles (AR 8; AR 51 / Pine Street): Navigation decision point; at 38.7 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
North Little Rock is in the Central region of Arkansas. Previously known as Argenta, it became known as North Little Rock after an unsuccessful annexation attempt by Little Rock.
It's prudent not to go flouting your collection of prized jewelry when roaming the streets of North Little Rock, as the community can be a little sketch.
The longest stretch is about 68.7 miles on I 30. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 27 / Main Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 38.5 miles (AR 8; AR 51 / Pine Street): Navigation decision point; at 38.7 miles: 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 North Little Rock, AR before heading back.
