Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 2, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 15m
Distance
242.2 mi
390 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
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
Elm Springs, AR
Rodion Kutsaiev
Pine Bluff, AR to Elm Springs, AR is 242.2 miles and takes about 4h 15m via US 65 and I 49, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Arkansas, connecting the Southeast region from start to finish. It's a straightforward, mostly highway drive that's ideal for a single-day excursion. Given the relatively short duration and manageable distance, you won't need to worry about extensive planning or overnight stays.
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
121.1 miles from Pine Bluff, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 8m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 65 | 141 mi | 2h 22m |
| I 49 | 51.3 mi | 52m |
| I 530 | 35 mi | 35m |
| Martha Mitchell Expressway | 4.6 mi | 7m |
| I 30 | 4.2 mi | 5m |
| North Maestri Road | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| West Sunset Avenue | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| US 65B | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~852 veh/hr typical · worst 1,084
Quietest
2 AM
~63 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
13.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
Averaged across 23 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Step-by-step road directions between Pine Bluff, AR and Elm Springs, 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 left at fork onto US 65
Keep slight left at fork onto US 65
Take the exit
Continue on I 49
Keep slight left at fork onto I 49; US 62; US 71
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn left onto US 412
Continue on US 412
Turn right onto AR 112
Continue on AR 112
Turn right onto School Street
Arrive at destination
Aim to depart from Pine Bluff in the morning to take advantage of the full daylight hours for your 4h 15m drive. The route's 242.2-mile length is easily manageable in one day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. With a fuel cost estimated at $35, plan your fill-ups accordingly, though the single stop suggested should be sufficient. Pay attention to the transition off US 65, as this marks the point where the driving experience might change slightly.
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 53 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 121.1 miles or 2h 8m 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Elm Springs, 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 242.2 miles and 4h 15m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
121 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 53 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 121.1 miles from Pine Bluff, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 65 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 141 miles.
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 44.9 and 237.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Keep slight left at fork onto US 65 toward I 40 West, US 65 North, AR 107 North: Conway, Fort Smith
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto US 65
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto I 49; US 62; US 71
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward US 412
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork toward US 412
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$35.48 one way
$70.96 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.13 | $39.39 | $78.78 |
| premium | $4.49 | $42.78 | $85.55 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $53.39 | $106.78 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 72.7 | 0 | $25.43 | $11.63 |
| Efficient EV | 60.6 | 0 | $21.19 | $9.69 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 96.9 | 1 | $33.91 | $15.50 |
Gas CO2
85 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Pine Bluff on Wednesday
Local time
6:04 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Partly Cloudy
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued August 23 at 11:43AM CDT until August 24 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
Destination
Morning in Elm Springs on Wednesday
Local time
6:04 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Mostly Cloudy then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued August 23 at 11:43AM CDT until August 24 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
99°F
Delaware, AR
121 mi in
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
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.
This route is primarily highway driving, with 98% of the travel on major roads. You'll experience a continuous 141-mile stretch on US 65 before transitioning to other highways. The transition from extensive highway to any potential surface roads would occur late in the trip, so expect minimal interruptions from local traffic signals or frequent exits for the majority of your drive.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 65 and I 49. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 44.9 miles in near US 65.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 242.2 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 44.9 miles (US 65): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 45.2 miles (US 65): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 232.6 miles (I 49; US 62; US 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Gently rolling terrain
Total Climb
1,778 ft
Total Descent
813 ft
Highest Point
1,790 ft
~207.6 mi in
Elevation Range
1,570 ft
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Pine Bluff, AR to Elm Springs, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Fort Smith along the way.
Fort Smith
Founded 1839
Pine Bluff is a historic city in the Timberlands region of Southern Arkansas.
Top landmarks
Founded 1832
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 15m. Total distance: 242.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). 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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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