Origin
Pine Bluff, AR
Night in Pine Bluff on Saturday
Local time
11:15 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 30m
Distance
171.7 mi
276 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pine Bluff, AR
Wikimedia Commons
Ash Flat, AR
Atlantic Ambience
Pine Bluff, AR to Ash Flat, AR is 171.7 miles and takes about 3h 30m via I 57 and I 530, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within Arkansas, transitioning from the Southeast region towards the northern part of the state. It’s a straightforward, highway-focused trip that’s perfect for a single day of travel. Expect a practical journey with minimal detours, making it an efficient way to cover the distance.
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
85.8 miles from Pine Bluff, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 33m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 57 | 55 mi | 56m |
| I 530 | 35 mi | 35m |
| US 64 | 33.3 mi | 45m |
| South Saint Louis Street | 14.4 mi | 22m |
| South Main Street | 11.6 mi | 17m |
| Ash Flat Drive | 10.9 mi | 16m |
| Martha Mitchell Expressway | 4.6 mi | 7m |
| I 30 | 4.2 mi | 5m |
Step-by-step road directions between Pine Bluff, AR and Ash Flat, AR.
Start on South Main Street
Turn right onto West 2nd Avenue
Turn right onto South Walnut Street
Turn left onto US 65B
Keep slight left at fork onto US 65B
Merge onto I 530; US 65
Continue on I 30; US 65; US 67; US 167
Keep slight right at fork onto US 67; US 167
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57; US 167
Continue on I 57; US 64; US 167
Take the exit onto US 64; US 167
Turn left onto US 64; US 167
Continue on US 167; AR 25
Continue on US 167
Continue on US 167
Turn right onto AR 354
Arrive at destination
Given the relatively short 3h 30m duration, you have plenty of flexibility for when to depart. Starting in the morning allows you to arrive with ample daylight, and the single stop recommended on this route shouldn't significantly impact your timeline. With a fuel cost estimated at $26, plan your fill-ups accordingly, though the longest stretch of 55 miles on I 57 means you won't be constantly searching for a gas station. Consider leaving Pine Bluff mid-morning to avoid early rush hour and settle into 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.
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 38 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 85.8 miles or 1h 33m 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 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ash Flat, AR than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Pine Bluff, 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 Pine Bluff, AR
This is one driving day of about 171.7 miles and 3h 30m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
86 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 85.8 miles from Pine Bluff, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 101.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right onto West 2nd Avenue
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto South Walnut Street
Navigation decision point
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
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57; US 167 toward Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit onto US 64; US 167 toward US 64 East, US 67 North: Bald Knob, Batesville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$25.93 one way
$51.86 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $28.47 | $56.93 |
| premium | $4.56 | $30.82 | $61.64 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $37.91 | $75.82 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 51.5 | 0 | $18.03 | $8.24 |
| Efficient EV | 42.9 | 0 | $15.02 | $6.87 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 68.7 | 0 | $24.04 | $10.99 |
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (67% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Pine Bluff on Saturday
Local time
11:15 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Destination
Night in Ash Flat on Saturday
Local time
11:15 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
This route is largely a highway-focused drive, with 78% of the journey utilizing major interstates. You'll experience stretches of consistent speed on roads like I 57, including one segment that lasts for 55 miles without significant interruption. While primarily interstate, the transition onto US 64 will offer a slightly different driving rhythm. The overall feel is one of steady progress, with the majority of your time spent on well-maintained, high-speed roadways.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and I 530. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West 2nd Avenue.
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 171.7 miles you will encounter 9 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 2nd Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (South Walnut Street): Navigation decision point; at 44.9 miles (US 67; US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Pine Bluff, AR and Ash Flat, AR, road signs point toward Memphis, Saint Louis and Batesville.
Memphis
Saint Louis
Batesville
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 30m. Total distance: 171.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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