Skip to main content
US Trip Planner Logo
US Trip Planner

Trip from Pine Bluff, AR to Caraway, AR

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 45m

Distance

196.7 mi

317 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$30

one way

EV Charging

Good

5 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
3h 33m ★
6 AM
3h 46m
8 AM
4h 11m
10 AM
3h 55m
12 PM
3h 52m
3 PM
3h 56m
5 PM
4h 10m
8 PM
3h 38m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
city in and county seat of Jefferson County, Arkansas, United States

Pine Bluff, AR

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Caraway, AR, AR

Caraway, AR

Patrick

Trip Overview

This 196.7-mile journey from Pine Bluff, AR to Caraway, AR is a manageable one-day trip, estimated to take around 3 hours and 45 minutes. Navigating through local roads and expressways, including West 2nd Avenue, South Walnut Street, and the Martha Mitchell Expressway, you'll find yourself on a route with frequent turns rather than long highway stretches. With a projected fuel cost of approximately $30, this drive is an economical option for exploring the Southeast region of Arkansas. It's a direct route that allows for a relaxed pace and the flexibility to make spontaneous stops.

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

98.4 miles from Pine Bluff, AR

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 47m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 57 102.7 mi 1h 46m
I 530 35 mi 35m
East Highland Drive 19.4 mi 28m
US 78 12.1 mi 13m
North Main Street 7.9 mi 13m
Southwest Drive 7.4 mi 9m
Martha Mitchell Expressway 4.6 mi 7m
I 30 4.2 mi 5m
Longest stretch: I 57 — 102.7 mi, about 1h 46m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Pine Bluff, AR and Caraway, AR.

1

Start on South Main Street

46 ft · 4 sec · South Main Street
2

Turn right onto West 2nd Avenue

0.2 mi · 44 sec · West 2nd Avenue
3

Turn right onto South Walnut Street

0.1 mi · 20 sec · South Walnut Street
4

Turn left onto US 65B

4.6 mi · 7 min · Martha Mitchell Expressway
5

Keep slight left at fork onto US 65B

0.7 mi · 1 min · US 65B
6

Merge onto I 530; US 65

35 mi · 35 min · I 530; US 65
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 143B Toward 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 Louis Use 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

Turn right onto AR 18

19 mi · 28 min · East Highland Drive
16

Turn right onto AR 135

0.1 mi · 13 sec · West Rogers
17

Turn right onto AR 135

7.9 mi · 13 min · North Main Street
18

Arrive at destination

AR 158

Trip Plan

Given the 3 hour and 45-minute duration, this trip is perfectly suited for a single day. Consider departing in the morning to allow ample time for the drive and any brief stops you might want to make. With only one recommended stop and a relatively low fuel cost of $30, pacing isn't a major concern, but it's always wise to fill up before you leave Pine Bluff. Keep an eye on your GPS, as the 'turn-heavy' nature of this route means you'll be making frequent directional changes. A practical tip: familiarize yourself with the Martha Mitchell Expressway portion of your route beforehand to ensure a smoother transition.

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 98.4 miles from Pine Bluff, AR, or about 1h 47m 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 43 miles or 48m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 98.4 miles or 1h 47m 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 53m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Caraway, AR than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

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 196.7 miles and 3h 45m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from Pine Bluff, 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.

Downtown Judsonia, AR, AR

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Judsonia, AR

98 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Little Rock, AR

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 43 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Judsonia, AR

Meal break

The midpoint is around 98.4 miles from Pine Bluff, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 57 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 102.7 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Sonic Drive-In

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Jonesboro, Arkansas

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour Inexpensiv mile 168.6

Hours: 6 am–10:30 pm

+18709316433

Visit website

Subway

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour Inexpensiv mile 168.6

Jonesboro, Arkansas

Hours: 9 am–10 pm

+18709728880

Visit website

Sonic Drive-In

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour Inexpensiv mile 168.6

Jonesboro, Arkansas

Hours: 6 am–10:30 pm

+18709316433

Visit website

Sonic Drive-In

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour Inexpensiv mile 168.6

Jonesboro, Arkansas

Hours: 6 am–10:30 pm

+18709357850

Visit website

Hunan Restaurant

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 126.5

Newport, Arkansas

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18705234600

Leon's Catfish & Shrimp Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20

Pine Bluff, Arkansas

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+18708793150

Visit website

The Purple Cow Restaurant (North Little Rock)

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 42.2

North Little Rock, Arkansas

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15019047269

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 168.6

Jonesboro, Arkansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 126.5

Newport, Arkansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

3.3 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 168.6

Jonesboro, Arkansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 168.6

Jonesboro, Arkansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 168.6

Jonesboro, Arkansas

+18668167584

Visit website

Craighead Forest Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 168.6

Jonesboro, Arkansas

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+18709334604

Visit website

AGFC Forrest L. Wood Crowley's Ridge Nature Center

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 168.6

Jonesboro, Arkansas

Hours: 8:30 am–4:30 pm

+18709336787

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 12

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 46.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

4
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | West 2nd Avenue

Turn right onto West 2nd Avenue

Navigation decision point

5
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | South Walnut Street

Turn right onto South Walnut Street

Navigation decision point

4
4.9 mi into trip | ~8m in | US 65B

Keep slight left at fork onto US 65B

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

7
44.9 mi into trip | ~50m 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
46.5 mi into trip | ~53m 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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$29.71 one way

$59.41 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 69 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $32.61 $65.22
premium $4.56 $35.31 $70.61
diesel $5.61 $43.43 $86.86

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$30

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$55–$80

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 68.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 59 0 $20.65 $9.44
Efficient EV 49.2 0 $17.21 $7.87
EV Truck/SUV 78.7 0 $27.54 $12.59

Gas CO2

69 kg

EV CO2

23 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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Pine Bluff, AR

Late night in Pine Bluff on Sunday

Local time

2:56 AM

CDT

Current temp

77°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Caraway, AR

Late night in Caraway on Sunday

Local time

2:56 AM

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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

3h 45m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, with a 0% highway share. This means you'll be spending most of your time on surface streets and connecting roads, rather than high-speed interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch isn't specifically noted, but the 'turn-heavy' profile suggests frequent adjustments to your direction. This kind of driving can offer more engagement with the local landscape and a less monotonous experience compared to pure highway travel. It's a drive where paying attention to navigation will be key.

82% 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 530. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West 2nd Avenue.

Driving Effort 6/10

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 196.7 miles you will encounter 12 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 4.9 miles (US 65B): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Pine Bluff, AR and Caraway, AR, road signs point toward Memphis and Saint Louis.

Memphis

44.9 mi in | ~50m | via US 67; US 167

Saint Louis

46.5 mi in | ~53m | via I 57; US 167

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 45m. Total distance: 196.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (82%). 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.

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 Caraway, 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: near the start (West 2nd Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (South Walnut Street): Navigation decision point; at 4.9 miles (US 65B): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Caraway, AR, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

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.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Caraway, AR

Bentonville, AR 338.7 mi · 6h 16m Fayetteville, AR 313.9 mi · 5h 49m Fort Smith, AR 283 mi · 5h 17m North Little Rock, AR 153 mi · 2h 56m

More from Pine Bluff, AR

Prairie Grove, AR 230.3 mi · 4h 7m Fayetteville, AR 230.2 mi · 4h 2m Elkins, AR 207.9 mi · 4h 2m Fort Smith, AR 199.3 mi · 3h 30m Salem, AR 190 mi · 3h 51m Bay, AR 179.8 mi · 3h 16m
Escape planner: Pine Bluff, AR Scenic drives in AR

Explore more options from Pine Bluff, AR or browse trips ending in Caraway, AR.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AR road trips.