Rector, AR to Tennessee, AR is 261 miles and takes about 4h 55m via US 412 and I-530/I-57, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Arkansas, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. It's a highway-focused drive, meaning you'll be spending most of your time on faster roads. Plan for a single day to complete this journey comfortably. The drive is straightforward, making it a good option for a quick hop between these two points.
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
130.5 miles from Rector, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 29m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 412
94.7 mi
1h 38m
I 530
43.9 mi
45m
I 57
28.1 mi
29m
West Kings Highway
24.5 mi
29m
Highway 530
22.9 mi
26m
US 425
15.7 mi
20m
US 49
8 mi
11m
West 9th Street
7.4 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
US 412
— 94.7 mi, about 1h 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rector, AR and Tennessee, AR.
1
Start on Front Street
51 ft·7 sec·Front Street
2
Turn left onto AR 90
0.3 mi·32 sec·South Main Street
3
Turn right onto US 49; AR 1
7.4 mi·11 min·West 9th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
4
Enter roundabout onto US 49; AR 1
80 ft·1 sec·East Franklin Street
5
Continue on US 49; AR 1
3.5 mi·5 min·East Franklin Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
6
Continue on US 49; AR 1
3.5 mi·5 min·US 49; AR 1
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
7
Continue on US 49; AR 1
0.3 mi·22 sec·US 49; AR 1
Use the straight / left lanes.
8
Continue on US 49; AR 1
0.9 mi·1 min·US 49; AR 1
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Continue on US 49; AR 1
2.0 mi·2 min·US 49; AR 1
Use the straight / left lanes.
10
Continue on US 49; AR 1
0.9 mi·1 min·US 49; AR 1
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
11
Continue on US 49; AR 1
0.5 mi·44 sec·US 49; AR 1
Use the straight lane.
12
Turn right onto US 49Y
0.4 mi·41 sec·West Court Street
13
Turn right onto US 412B
25 mi·29 min·West Kings Highway
14
Take the exit onto US 412
95 mi·1 hr 38 min·US 412
15
Continue on I 57; US 167
28 mi·29 min·I 57; US 167
16
Merge onto I 40; US 167
0.9 mi·1 min·I 40; US 167
17
Take the exit onto US 167
4.9 mi·6 min·US 167
Toward I 30 West, US 65 South, US 67 South, US 167 South: Little Rock
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 530; US 65; US 167
44 mi·45 min·I 530; US 65; US 167
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.7 mi·52 sec
Exit 44Toward AR 530 South: Star City, Monticello
20
Continue on AR 530
23 mi·26 min·Highway 530
21
At end of road, turn left onto AR 11
2.0 mi·2 min·Highway 11
22
Turn right onto US 425
16 mi·20 min·US 425
23
Take the exit
226 ft·6 sec
24
Turn slight right onto US 278
2.6 mi·4 min·West Gaines Avenue
25
Turn left onto Tennessee Spur Road
0.3 mi·1 min·Tennessee Spur Road
26
Arrive at destination
Tennessee Spur Road
Trip Plan
With a drive time under 5 hours and a fuel cost estimated at $35, this is a perfect route for a single-day trip, offering flexibility in your departure time. You'll only need one planned stop, so consider making it around the halfway point or when you need a break from the longest stretch on US 412. Since it's a relatively short drive, you can afford to leave a bit later in the morning or push through without needing an overnight stay. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the 94.7-mile stretch on US 412, ensuring you have enough to comfortably complete it.
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 130.5 miles from Rector, AR, or about 2h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 94.7 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 57 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 130.5 miles or 2h 29m 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 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tennessee, AR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Rector, 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 Rector, AR
This is one driving day of about 261 miles and 4h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Rector, 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 412 for about 94.7 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 216.6 — 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|AR 90 / South Main Street
Turn left onto AR 90 / South Main Street
Navigation decision point
6
0.3 mi into trip|~0m in|US 49; AR 1 / West 9th Street
Turn right onto US 49; AR 1 / West 9th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
5
167.8 mi into trip|~3h 8m in|US 167
Take the exit onto US 167 toward I 30 West, US 65 South, US 67 South, US 167 South: Little Rock
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 30 West, US 65 South, US 67 South, US...
6
172.7 mi into trip|~3h 15m in|I 530; US 65; US 167
Keep slight left at fork onto I 530; US 65; US 167
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
6
216.6 mi into trip|~4h in
Take the exit toward AR 530 South: Star City, Monticello
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 44
Toward AR 530 South: Star City, Monticello
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.42 one way
$78.83 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg91 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$43.27
$86.54
premium
$4.56
$46.85
$93.69
diesel
$5.61
$57.63
$115.25
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 91.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
78.3
0
$27.40
$12.53
Efficient EV
65.3
0
$22.84
$10.44
EV Truck/SUV
104.4
1
$36.54
$16.70
Gas CO2
91 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 Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Rector, AR
Morning
in Rector on Tuesday
Local time
7:09 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Tennessee, AR
Morning
in Tennessee on Tuesday
Local time
7:09 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°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
6 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 55m 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 85% of the journey on major roadways like US 412 and I-530/I-57. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 94.7 miles on US 412, offering a significant period of consistent travel. The profile suggests a highway-focused experience, so expect relatively smooth sailing and higher average speeds for most of the trip. While it's largely interstate, the transition between US 412 and the interstates is part of the drive's character.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 94.7 mi on US 412.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 412 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 AR 90 / South Main Street.
Driving Effort6/10
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 261 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 (AR 90 / South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (US 49; AR 1 / West 9th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 167.8 miles (US 167): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Rector, AR to Tennessee, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Monticello along the way.
Tennessee is a US state in the South known for its rich history, music, and the Appalachian Mountains along its eastern border. Many visitors come to see Elvis Presley's home, Graceland, or the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 55m. Total distance: 261 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 94.7 miles on US 412. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 5 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.
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 Tennessee, 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. There are 5 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (AR 90 / South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (US 49; AR 1 / West 9th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 167.8 miles (US 167): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Tennessee, AR, but most travelers stay overnight.
