Ola, AR to Tennessee, AR is 167 miles and takes about 3h 16m via US 270 and South State Highway 7, with a fuel budget near $25 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route primarily sticks to highways, making it a straightforward drive through the Southeast region of Arkansas. With a highway share of 86%, you'll find this journey to be efficient and direct, ideal for a single-day trip. Plan for just one recommended stop along the way, allowing you to cover the distance without extensive breaks. The estimated fuel cost is around $25, so budget accordingly for this relatively short excursion.
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
83.5 miles from Ola, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 36m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 270
45.9 mi
53m
South State Highway 7
44.8 mi
50m
Highway 530
22.9 mi
26m
US 425
15.7 mi
20m
Malvern Road
12.4 mi
14m
I 530
9.9 mi
11m
Hot Springs Bypass
6.1 mi
6m
West Gaines Avenue
2.6 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
US 270
— 45.9 mi, about 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ola, AR and Tennessee, AR.
1
Start on East Pennington Street
67 ft·7 sec·East Pennington Street
2
Turn left onto AR 7; AR 10
0.3 mi·24 sec·South Scenic 7 Drive
3
Turn right onto AR 7
0.2 mi·17 sec·AR 7
4
Turn left onto AR 7
45 mi·50 min·South State Highway 7
5
Enter roundabout onto Hot Springs Bypass
222 ft·2 sec·Hot Springs Bypass
6
Continue on Hot Springs Bypass
6.0 mi·6 min·Hot Springs Bypass
7
Merge onto US 70
1.9 mi·2 min·Doctor Martin Luther King, Junior Expressway
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
9
Keep slight left at fork
81 ft·8 sec
10
Turn left onto US 270
0.6 mi·46 sec·Malvern Avenue
11
Continue on US 270
12 mi·14 min·Malvern Road
12
Take the exit onto US 270
1.5 mi·1 min·US 270
13
Take the exit onto US 270
0.4 mi·40 sec·US 270
Toward US 270 East: Malvern
14
Turn right onto US 270
44 mi·50 min·US 270
Use the straight lane.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
16
Merge onto I 530; US 65
9.9 mi·11 min·I 530; US 65
17
Take the exit
0.7 mi·52 sec
Exit 44Toward AR 530 South: Star City, Monticello
18
Continue on AR 530
23 mi·26 min·Highway 530
19
At end of road, turn left onto AR 11
2.0 mi·2 min·Highway 11
20
Turn right onto US 425
16 mi·20 min·US 425
21
Take the exit
226 ft·6 sec
22
Turn slight right onto US 278
2.6 mi·4 min·West Gaines Avenue
23
Turn left onto Tennessee Spur Road
0.3 mi·1 min·Tennessee Spur Road
24
Arrive at destination
Tennessee Spur Road
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 3h 16m duration and 167-mile distance, this trip is easily completed in a single day. Leaving in the morning will give you plenty of flexibility for any spontaneous stops or a leisurely pace. With only one recommended stop, you can plan your break strategically, perhaps around the halfway point or whenever you feel the need. Pay attention to your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the longest stretch of 45.9 miles on US 270, to ensure you don't have to detour for gas. The fuel cost is estimated at $25, so consider this when budgeting for your travel.
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 83.5 miles from Ola, AR, or about 1h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 45.9 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 37 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.5 miles or 1h 36m 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 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tennessee, AR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ola, 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 Ola, AR
This is one driving day of about 167 miles and 3h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Ola, 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 45.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
$10 to $20
mile 95.4
Sheridan, Arkansas
Hours: 6 am–2 pm
+18709421345
Two Brothers Hibachi
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
$10 to $20
mile 95.4
Sheridan, Arkansas
Hours: 10:30 am–8 pm
+18709410559
El buen sazón 2
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, right off the route
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
$20 to $30
mile 95.4
Sheridan, Arkansas
Hours: 10 am–9 pm
+18708834848
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 53.6 and 146.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
53.6 mi into trip|~1h 1m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
66.6 mi into trip|~1h 16m in|US 270
Take the exit onto US 270
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
5
68.5 mi into trip|~1h 18m in|US 270
Turn right onto US 270
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
122.6 mi into trip|~2h 21m in
Take the exit toward AR 530 South: Star City, Monticello
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 44
Toward AR 530 South: Star City, Monticello
5
146.3 mi into trip|~2h 48m in|AR 11 / Highway 11
At end of road, turn left onto AR 11 / Highway 11
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.22 one way
$50.44 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg58 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$27.69
$55.37
premium
$4.56
$29.97
$59.95
diesel
$5.61
$36.87
$73.74
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
50.1
0
$17.54
$8.02
Efficient EV
41.8
0
$14.61
$6.68
EV Truck/SUV
66.8
0
$23.38
$10.69
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
20 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
Ola, AR
Night
in Ola on Saturday
Local time
11:35 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Tennessee, AR
Night
in Tennessee on Saturday
Local time
11:35 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
1 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 16m 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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 51.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 86% of your journey on these types of roads. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on US 270, including a stretch of 45.9 miles without needing to turn. This means you can settle into a rhythm for a good amount of time. The route incorporates South State Highway 7 and Highway 530, offering a consistent driving experience for the most part. Expect a steady pace with minimal interruptions as you make your way across Arkansas.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 45.9 mi on US 270.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 270 and South State Highway 7. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 53.6 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 167 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: at 53.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 66.6 miles (US 270): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 68.5 miles (US 270): Lane positioning matters here.
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 Ola, AR to Tennessee, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Monticello along the way.
Monticello
122.6 mi in|~2h 21m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 16m. Total distance: 167 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 16m 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 45.9 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 Tennessee, 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: at 53.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 66.6 miles (US 270): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 68.5 miles (US 270): Lane positioning matters here.
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 Tennessee, AR, but most travelers stay overnight.
