Osceola, AR to Texarkana, AR is 314 miles and takes about 5h 29m via I-40 and I-30, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Arkansas, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. The majority of this route is highway driving, making it a straightforward trip for a single day. Expect mostly highway cruising for the entire 314 miles. It's a practical option if you need to get from point A to point B efficiently within the state.
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
157 miles from Osceola, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 43m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 30
136.6 mi
2h 19m
I 40
117.5 mi
1h 58m
I 55
40.3 mi
40m
East Belt Freeway
9.8 mi
11m
West Keiser Avenue
4.6 mi
7m
Jefferson Avenue
1.9 mi
3m
North Walnut Street
0.5 mi
1m
East 24th Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 30
— 136.6 mi, about 2h 19m
Traffic on I-30
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 10 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 Osceola, AR and Texarkana, AR.
1
Start on this road
47 ft·5 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto West Semmes Avenue
114 ft·10 sec·West Semmes Avenue
3
Turn left onto US 61
0.5 mi·1 min·North Walnut Street
4
At end of road, turn right onto US 61
4.6 mi·7 min·West Keiser Avenue
5
Turn left onto Sandy Bayou Road
0.2 mi·19 sec·Sandy Bayou Road
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·22 sec
7
Merge onto I 55; US 78
40 mi·40 min·I 55; US 78
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 8Toward I 40 West: Little Rock
9
Merge onto I 40
118 mi·1 hr 58 min·I 40
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward I 40, AR 440: Jacksonville, TexarkanaUse the straight / right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 440 West: Texarkana
12
Merge onto I 440
9.8 mi·11 min·East Belt Freeway
13
Continue on I 30; US 67
24 mi·26 min·I 30; US 67
14
Continue on I 30; US 70
113 mi·1 hr 53 min·I 30; US 70
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·33 sec
Toward Jefferson Avenue
16
Turn left onto Jefferson Avenue
1.9 mi·3 min·Jefferson Avenue
17
Turn right onto East 24th Street
0.4 mi·45 sec·East 24th Street
18
Turn left onto Hickory Street
0.3 mi·38 sec·Hickory Street
19
Turn right onto East 20th Street
485 ft·21 sec·East 20th Street
20
Arrive at destination
East 20th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5 hour 29 minute drive time, starting in the morning from Osceola will allow you to reach Texarkana well before sunset. You'll only need one stop on this route, so plan it around your needs, whether for fuel or a quick break. The $46 fuel cost is an estimate, so keep an eye on your gauge, especially during the 136.6-mile stretch on I-30. Since this is a single-day drive, you have flexibility in when you depart and how you pace your single stop.
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 157 miles from Osceola, AR, or about 2h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 136.6 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 69 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 157 miles or 2h 43m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Texarkana, AR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Osceola, 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 Osceola, AR
This is one driving day of about 314 miles and 5h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 miles from Osceola, 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 30 for about 136.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Home stretch
2.1 mi from route
~5 min detour
$10 to $20
Texarkana, Texas
Hours: 5:30–11 PM
+19037923222
Mr. D’s
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~12 min detour
Home stretch
4.8 mi from route
~12 min detour
$10 to $20
Texarkana, Arkansas
Hours: Closed
+18707723819
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 164.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|West Semmes Avenue
Turn right onto West Semmes Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
0.5 mi into trip|~1m in|US 61 / West Keiser Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto US 61 / West Keiser Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
45.8 mi into trip|~50m in
Take the exit toward I 40 West: Little Rock
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 8
Toward I 40 West: Little Rock
7
163.9 mi into trip|~2h 49m in
Take the exit toward I 40, AR 440: Jacksonville, Texarkana
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 40, AR 440: Jacksonville, Texarkana
5
164.1 mi into trip|~2h 50m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 440 West: Texarkana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 440 West: Texarkana
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.26 one way
$96.52 round trip
$3.90/gal25.4 MPG avg110 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.32
$53.38
$106.76
premium
$4.65
$57.45
$114.89
diesel
$5.35
$66.14
$132.28
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 109.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
94.2
1
$32.97
$15.07
Efficient EV
78.5
0
$27.48
$12.56
EV Truck/SUV
125.6
1
$43.96
$20.10
Gas CO2
110 kg
EV CO2
37 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Osceola, AR
Afternoon
in Osceola on Wednesday
Local time
2:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
0 mph27% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 7:45PM CDT until June 6 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Little Rock AR
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 7:44PM CDT until June 2 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Little Rock AR
Destination
Texarkana, AR
Afternoon
in Texarkana on Wednesday
Local time
2:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Clear
0 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 7:45PM CDT until June 6 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Little Rock AR
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 7:44PM CDT until June 2 at 7:00PM 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
5 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
5h 29m 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...
16 mi from route
~39 min detour
Free
near mile 216.6
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 highway, with 97% of the 314 miles on major interstates like I-40 and I-30. You'll experience a longest stretch of 136.6 miles on I-30 without needing to exit. The route is mostly highway, so expect consistent cruising speeds. You'll notice a high density of exits as you travel between cities, typical for major interstate corridors.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 136.6 mi on I 30.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 30 and I 40. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West Semmes Avenue.
Driving Effort5/10
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 314 miles you will encounter 16 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: near the start (West Semmes Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (US 61 / West Keiser Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 45.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 29m. Total distance: 314 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 136.6 miles on I 30. 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.
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: near the start (West Semmes Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (US 61 / West Keiser Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 45.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Yes — Hot Springs National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Texarkana, AR before the return drive.
