Spanning 161.3 miles across Arkansas, this trip from Russellville to Forrest City is an ideal day excursion that typically takes about 2 hours and 47 minutes. You will traverse the state using a combination of local routes like East Main Street and AR 331 before connecting to the primary artery of I-40. Budgeting approximately $25 for fuel makes this a cost-effective journey for those traveling within the Southeast region. Because the total duration is under three hours, you can easily complete the drive in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a change of scenery, the route offers a straightforward path between these two Arkansas cities.
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
80.7 miles from Russellville, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 24m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
156.1 mi
2h 38m
East Main Street
2.3 mi
3m
Washington Street
1.7 mi
2m
AR 331
0.3 mi
<1m
West Broadway Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
North Arkansas Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
North Division
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 156.1 mi, about 2h 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Russellville, AR and Forrest City, AR.
1
Start on AR 7
106 ft·9 sec·North Arkansas Avenue
2
Turn left onto US 64
2.3 mi·3 min·East Main Street
3
Turn left onto AR 331
0.3 mi·28 sec·AR 331
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 84Toward I-40
5
Merge onto I 40
70 mi·1 hr 11 min·I 40
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
86 mi·1 hr 26 min·I 40
Toward MemphisUse the straight lane.
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi·43 sec
Toward AR 1B South: Forrest City
8
Turn straight onto AR 1B
1.7 mi·2 min·Washington Street
9
Turn right onto US 70
0.3 mi·26 sec·West Broadway Avenue
10
Turn right onto North Division
31 ft·1 sec·North Division
11
Arrive at destination
North Division
Trip Plan
Given the 161.3-mile distance, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time to avoid peak traffic. You should account for at least one planned stop during your 2 hour and 47 minute transit to stretch your legs and refresh. Since the route involves significant local road navigation, keep a close eye on your GPS as you transition between East Main Street and AR 331. Setting aside $25 for fuel should cover your needs comfortably, but it is wise to fill up before leaving Russellville to ensure a smooth, worry-free trip. Prioritizing a mid-morning start will help you navigate the turn-heavy sections of the drive while visibility is at its best.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 80.7 miles from Russellville, AR, or about 1h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 156.1 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 35 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80.7 miles or 1h 24m 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 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Forrest City, AR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Russellville, 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 Russellville, AR
This is one driving day of about 161.3 miles and 2h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Russellville, 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 40 for about 156.1 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 8
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.3 and 161 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
2.3 mi into trip|~3m in|AR 331
Turn left onto AR 331
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
2.6 mi into trip|~4m in
Take the ramp toward I-40
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Exit 84
Toward I-40
7
73.1 mi into trip|~1h 16m in|I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward Memphis
4
158.9 mi into trip|~2h 43m in
Take the exit toward AR 1B South: Forrest City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward AR 1B South: Forrest City
4
161 mi into trip|~2h 47m in|US 70 / West Broadway Avenue
Turn right onto US 70 / West Broadway Avenue
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.36 one way
$48.72 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg56 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$26.74
$53.48
premium
$4.56
$28.95
$57.90
diesel
$5.61
$35.61
$71.23
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
48.4
0
$16.94
$7.74
Efficient EV
40.3
0
$14.11
$6.45
EV Truck/SUV
64.5
0
$22.58
$10.32
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (66% 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
Russellville, AR
Night
in Russellville on Saturday
Local time
11:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Forrest City, AR
Night
in Forrest City on Saturday
Local time
11:48 PM
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
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
2h 47m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive as you navigate away from Russellville before transitioning toward the highway. While the route utilizes I-40, your journey is defined by a mix of local roads rather than a monotonous interstate grind. You will find that the road demands your attention early on, as the technical nature of the initial segments requires more focus than a wide-open highway. Since the highway share is 0%, the drive emphasizes local navigation, giving you a more intimate look at the regional landscape. Prepare for a varied driving experience that shifts from the maneuverability required on local streets to the steady pace found on the main transit corridors.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
11 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 156.1 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and East Main Street. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 2.3 miles in near AR 331.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 47m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.3 miles (AR 331): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 73.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Russellville, AR to Forrest City, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Memphis along the way.
Memphis
73.1 mi in|~1h 16m|via I 40
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 47m. Total distance: 161.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
The longest stretch is about 156.1 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.3 miles (AR 331): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 73.1 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Forrest City, AR before heading back.
