Pine Bluff, AR to Gentry, AR is 262 miles and takes about 4h 40m via US 65 and I 49, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Arkansas, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, making for a straightforward drive. It's a solid 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
131 miles from Pine Bluff, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 18m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 65
141 mi
2h 22m
I 49
51.3 mi
52m
I 530
35 mi
35m
East Henri de Tonti Boulevard
16.4 mi
20m
AR 59
5.6 mi
8m
Martha Mitchell Expressway
4.6 mi
7m
I 30
4.2 mi
5m
West Sunset Avenue
1.5 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
US 65
— 141 mi, about 2h 22m
Traffic on I-530
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
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 23 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 Pine Bluff, AR and Gentry, 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 left at fork onto US 65
0.3 mi·35 sec·US 65
Exit 143AToward I 40 West, US 65 North, AR 107 North: Conway, Fort Smith
9
Keep slight left at fork onto US 65
141 mi·2 hr 22 min·US 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·48 sec
Toward I 49 North: Fayetteville
11
Continue on I 49
46 mi·47 min·I 49
Use the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 49; US 62; US 71
4.9 mi·5 min·I 49; US 62; US 71
Use the straight lane.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·31 sec
Exit 72Toward US 412Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
193 ft·12 sec
Toward US 412Use the left / straight lanes.
15
Turn left onto US 412
1.5 mi·2 min·West Sunset Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
16
Continue on US 412
16 mi·20 min·East Henri de Tonti Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Take the exit
336 ft·5 sec
Use the right lane.
18
Turn slight right onto AR 59
5.6 mi·8 min·AR 59
Use the right lane.
19
Turn left onto AR 59B
0.5 mi·1 min·South Collins Avenue
20
Turn right onto AR 59B
67 ft·1 sec·East Main Street
21
Arrive at destination
AR 59B
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 40m estimated drive time, departing in the morning will give you ample daylight to reach Gentry, AR. You'll only have one recommended stop, so plan your breaks strategically, perhaps around the halfway point or when you need fuel. With a fuel cost estimated at $39, it's wise to fill up before leaving Pine Bluff or when you see prices are favorable. The long stretches on US 65 mean you can cover significant ground before needing to exit for services.
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 131 miles from Pine Bluff, AR, or about 2h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 141 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 58 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 131 miles or 2h 18m 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 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gentry, 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 262 miles and 4h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 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 US 65 for about 141 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 15
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.
7
44.9 mi into trip|~50m in|US 65
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
Exit 143A
Toward I 40 West, US 65 North, AR 107 North: Co...
6
45.2 mi into trip|~51m in|US 65
Keep slight left at fork onto US 65
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
232.6 mi into trip|~4h 1m in|I 49; US 62; US 71
Keep slight left at fork onto I 49; US 62; US 71
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
237.5 mi into trip|~4h 6m in
Take the exit toward US 412
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 72
Toward US 412
8
237.8 mi into trip|~4h 7m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 412
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
Toward US 412
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.38 one way
$76.76 round trip
$3.72/gal25.4 MPG avg92 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.13
$42.61
$85.22
premium
$4.49
$46.27
$92.55
diesel
$5.60
$57.75
$115.51
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 91.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
78.6
0
$27.51
$12.58
Efficient EV
65.5
0
$22.93
$10.48
EV Truck/SUV
104.8
1
$36.68
$16.77
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Aug 28, 2026
Origin
Pine Bluff, AR
Late night
in Pine Bluff on Wednesday
Local time
3:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Sunny
NE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Gentry, AR
Late night
in Gentry on Wednesday
Local time
3:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Sunny
NE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
99°F
Delaware, AR
131 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
2 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
4h 40m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily highway driving, with 93% of the 262 miles on interstates. You'll encounter the longest unbroken stretch of highway, 141 miles, on US 65. Expect a consistent cruising experience for most of the trip, with a brief transition to surface roads towards the end. The high highway percentage suggests frequent exits and merges.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 141 mi on US 65.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 262 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.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,529 ft220 ft
Total Climb
1,581 ft
Total Descent
565 ft
Highest Point
1,529 ft
~205.9 mi in
Elevation Range
1,309 ft
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 Pine Bluff, AR to Gentry, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Fort Smith along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 40m. Total distance: 262 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 141 miles on US 65. 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 Gentry, 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 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Gentry, AR, but most travelers stay overnight.
