Spanning 248.9 miles across Arkansas, this trip from Nashville to Jonesboro typically takes about 4 hours and 7 minutes behind the wheel. Because the duration is relatively manageable, you can easily complete the journey in a single day without needing an overnight stop. You should budget approximately $34 for fuel to cover the distance. Navigating this route involves a combination of the Issac C Perkins Bypass, East Peachtree Street, and I-40 East. Since both cities are located within the Southeast region, you will remain in a consistent geographic environment throughout your travel. Planning for one scheduled stop is a smart way to break up the drive and keep your energy levels steady.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
127.9 miles from Nashville, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 27m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
102.7 mi
1h 46m
I 30
98.1 mi
1h 41m
East Peachtree Street
31.2 mi
46m
US 78
12.1 mi
13m
Southwest Drive
7.4 mi
9m
US 67
1.6 mi
2m
South Main Street
1.4 mi
2m
Issac C Perkins Bypass
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 102.7 mi, about 1h 46m
Traffic on I-30
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,309 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,675
Quietest
2 AM
~282 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
4.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 21 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Nashville, AR and Jonesboro, AR.
1
Start on North Main Street
0.2 mi·22 sec·North Main Street
2
Turn right onto US 278; US 371
0.3 mi·23 sec·Issac C Perkins Bypass
3
Continue on US 371
31 mi·46 min·East Peachtree Street
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
5
Merge onto I 30
93 mi·1 hr 35 min·I 30
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30; US 67
0.7 mi·49 sec·I 30; US 67
7
Continue on I 30; US 65; US 67; US 167
4.2 mi·5 min·I 30; US 65; US 67; US 167
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 67; US 167
1.6 mi·2 min·US 67; US 167
Exit 143BToward I 40 East, US 67 North, US 167 North: Jacksonville, Memphis
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57; US 167
28 mi·29 min·I 57; US 167
Toward Saint LouisUse the slight left lane.
10
Continue on I 57; US 64; US 167
74 mi·1 hr 16 min·I 57; US 64; US 167
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward AR 226: Jonesboro
12
Keep slight right at fork
346 ft·8 sec
13
Merge onto US 78; AR 226
12 mi·13 min·US 78; AR 226
14
Continue on US 49; US 63; US 78
7.4 mi·9 min·Southwest Drive
15
Continue on South Main Street
1.4 mi·2 min·South Main Street
16
Turn right onto Cate Avenue
207 ft·14 sec·Cate Avenue
17
Turn left
75 ft·5 sec
18
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 4-hour and 7-minute journey, try to depart early in the morning to avoid the busiest local traffic patterns. Since the route is entirely comprised of local roads, build in extra time for the unexpected stop or traffic signal delays. With a fuel budget of $34, it is wise to check your tank before leaving Nashville, as the lack of sustained highway driving can impact your vehicle's fuel efficiency differently than interstate travel. Given the single-day nature of this trip, you have the flexibility to pace your one recommended rest stop whenever you feel the need to stretch your legs. Keep a close eye on your navigation through the Issac C Perkins Bypass to ensure you stay on track during the turn-heavy portions of the 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 127.9 miles from Nashville, AR, or about 2h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 102.7 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 56 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 127.9 miles or 2h 27m 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 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jonesboro, AR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Nashville, 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 Nashville, AR
This is one driving day of about 255.8 miles and 4h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from Nashville, 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 57 for about 102.7 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 234.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|US 278; US 371 / Issac C Perkins Bypass
Turn right onto US 278; US 371 / Issac C Perkins Bypass
Navigation decision point
4
125 mi into trip|~2h 23m in|I 30; US 67
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30; US 67
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
7
129.9 mi into trip|~2h 29m in|US 67; US 167
Keep slight right at fork onto US 67; US 167 toward I 40 East, US 67 North, US 167 North: Jacksonville, Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 143B
Toward I 40 East, US 67 North, US 167 North: Ja...
7
131.5 mi into trip|~2h 32m in|I 57; US 167
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57; US 167 toward Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward Saint Louis
4
234.2 mi into trip|~4h 18m in
Take the exit toward AR 226: Jonesboro
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward AR 226: Jonesboro
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.51 one way
$71.02 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg90 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$39.73
$79.46
premium
$4.29
$43.19
$86.39
diesel
$4.80
$48.30
$96.60
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 89.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
76.7
0
$26.86
$12.28
Efficient EV
64
0
$22.38
$10.23
EV Truck/SUV
102.3
1
$35.81
$16.37
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Nashville, AR
Late night
in Nashville on Sunday
Local time
4:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Mostly Cloudy
0 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 4:25AM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:07AM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Little Rock AR
Destination
Jonesboro, AR
Late night
in Jonesboro on Sunday
Local time
4:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Partly Cloudy
WSW 5 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 4:25AM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:07AM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Little Rock AR
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
4h 45m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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...
15 mi from route
~38 min detour
Free
near mile 79.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a mindless stretch of open highway, as this route features a 0% highway share. You will navigate through local roads and bypasses, meaning the pace of travel is dictated by the flow of local traffic and road configurations. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 0 miles on the Issac C Perkins Bypass, highlighting the constant need for attention behind the wheel. This experience is best described as a series of connected local segments rather than a high-speed interstate sprint. Be prepared for a more hands-on driving experience that requires focus as you transition between the various surface streets and local corridors.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 102.7 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and I 30. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near US 278; US 371 / Issac C Perkins Bypass.
Driving Effort6/10
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 255.8 miles you will encounter 11 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 0.2 miles (US 278; US 371 / Issac C Perkins Bypass): Navigation decision point; at 125 miles (I 30; US 67): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 129.9 miles (US 67; US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
497 ft211 ft
Total Climb
479 ft
Total Descent
536 ft
Highest Point
497 ft
~10.7 mi in
Elevation Range
286 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Nashville, AR and Jonesboro, AR, road signs point toward Memphis and Saint Louis.
Memphis
129.9 mi in|~2h 29m|via US 67; US 167
Saint Louis
131.5 mi in|~2h 32m|via I 57; US 167
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 45m. Total distance: 255.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 102.7 miles on I 57. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 2 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.
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 Jonesboro, 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. There are 2 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (US 278; US 371 / Issac C Perkins Bypass): Navigation decision point; at 125 miles (I 30; US 67): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 129.9 miles (US 67; US 167): 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 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Jonesboro, AR, but most travelers stay overnight.
