Trip from Russellville, AR to Jonesboro, 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 14m

Distance

174.5 mi

281 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$26

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min

4 AM

3h 3m ★

6 AM

3h 14m

8 AM

3h 38m

10 AM

3h 23m

12 PM

3h 20m

3 PM

3h 24m

5 PM

3h 37m

8 PM

3h 7m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Russellville, AR

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 174.5-mile drive from Russellville, Arkansas, to Jonesboro, Arkansas, is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 14 minutes. The route is primarily highway-focused, with about 77% of it being on major roads like US 64 and I-40, plus a segment on the Vilonia Bypass. You can expect to spend around $26 on fuel for this journey. Given its relatively short duration, it's ideal for a single day's travel without needing an overnight stop. This trip stays within the Southeast region, offering a straightforward transit between two points in Arkansas.

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

87.3 miles from Russellville, AR

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 39m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
US 64	74.6 mi	1h 17m
I 40	42.1 mi	42m
Vilonia Bypass	25.9 mi	32m
US 78	12.1 mi	13m
Southwest Drive	7.4 mi	9m
State Highway 64	5.4 mi	6m
East Main Street	2.3 mi	3m
East Oak Street	1.8 mi	3m

Longest stretch: US 64 — 74.6 mi, about 1h 17m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Russellville, AR and Jonesboro, AR.

Start on AR 7

106 ft · 9 sec · North Arkansas Avenue

Turn left onto US 64

2.3 mi · 3 min · East Main Street

Turn left onto AR 331

0.3 mi · 28 sec · AR 331

Use the left lane.

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 33 sec

Exit 84 Toward I-40

Merge onto I 40

42 mi · 42 min · I 40

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 30 sec

Toward US 64

Keep slight left at fork

212 ft · 8 sec

Turn left onto US 64

1.8 mi · 3 min · East Oak Street

Continue on US 64

5.4 mi · 6 min · State Highway 64

Continue on US 64

26 mi · 32 min · Vilonia Bypass

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit onto US 64

75 mi · 1 hr 17 min · US 64

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward AR 226: Jonesboro

Keep slight right at fork

346 ft · 8 sec

Merge onto US 78; AR 226

12 mi · 13 min · US 78; AR 226

Continue on US 49; US 63; US 78

7.4 mi · 9 min · Southwest Drive

Continue on South Main Street

1.4 mi · 2 min · South Main Street

Turn right onto Cate Avenue

207 ft · 14 sec · Cate Avenue

Turn left

75 ft · 5 sec

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

For this 3-hour, 14-minute drive covering 174.5 miles, starting earlier in the day will give you ample flexibility. With a fuel cost estimated at $26 and only one recommended stop, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. The longest stretch without a major road change is 74.6 miles on US 64, so plan your breaks accordingly before embarking on that segment. Given the highway-focused nature, keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is always a good idea, especially during that longer stretch.

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 87.3 miles from Russellville, AR, or about 1h 39m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 74.6 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 38 miles or 40m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 87.3 miles or 1h 39m 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 37m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jonesboro, 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 174.5 miles and 3h 14m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 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 US 64 for about 74.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Cabot, AR

87 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

Conway, AR

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Searcy, AR

Meal break

The midpoint is around 87.3 miles from Russellville, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 64 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 74.6 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

Old South Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Russellville, Arkansas

Near the start, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+14799683789

Visit website

Chick-fil-A

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Russellville, Arkansas

2.2 mi

Sonic Drive-In

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Jonesboro, Arkansas

2.8 mi

Sonic Drive-In

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour Inexpensiv mile 174.5

Jonesboro, Arkansas

Hours: 6 am–10:30 pm

+18709357850

Visit website

Old South Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Russellville, Arkansas

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+14799683789

Visit website

Chick-fil-A

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour Inexpensiv

Russellville, Arkansas

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+14799670220

Visit website

Subway

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour Inexpensiv mile 174.5

Jonesboro, Arkansas

Hours: 9 am–10 pm

+18709728880

Visit website

Sonic Drive-In

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour Inexpensiv mile 174.5

Jonesboro, Arkansas

Hours: 6 am–10:30 pm

+18709316433

Visit website

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 174.5

Jonesboro, Arkansas

+18668167584

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 49.9

Conway, Arkansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Craighead Forest Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 174.5

Jonesboro, Arkansas

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+18709334604

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 13

5 decision points cluster between mile 2.3 and 152.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

2.3 mi into trip | ~3m in | AR 331

Turn left onto AR 331

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

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

44.9 mi into trip | ~46m in

Take the exit toward US 64

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward US 64

45.2 mi into trip | ~47m in

Keep slight left at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

152.9 mi into trip | ~2h 47m in

Take the exit toward AR 226: Jonesboro

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward AR 226: Jonesboro

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$26.35 one way

$52.71 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 61 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.21	$28.93	$57.86
premium	$4.56	$31.32	$62.64
diesel	$5.61	$38.53	$77.05

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$26

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$51–$76

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 61.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	52.4	$18.32	$8.38
Efficient EV	43.6	$15.27	$6.98
EV Truck/SUV	69.8	$24.43	$11.17

Gas CO2

61 kg

EV CO2

20 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

Russellville, AR

Morning in Russellville on Sunday

Local time

6:51 AM

CDT

Current temp

75°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Jonesboro, AR

Morning in Jonesboro on Sunday

Local time

6:51 AM

CDT

Current temp

76°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

1 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

3h 14m 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 drive that leans heavily on highway travel, with 77% of the route utilizing major roads. You'll experience stretches on US 64 and I-40, providing a consistent pace. The longest uninterrupted segment covers 74.6 miles, primarily on US 64, so be prepared for an extended period of highway driving before needing to potentially adjust your route. This profile suggests a predominantly straightforward driving experience, minimizing complex turns or slower local roads for most of the journey.

77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 74.6 mi on US 64.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 64 and I 40. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.3 miles in near AR 331.

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 174.5 miles you will encounter 13 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: at 2.3 miles (AR 331): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 44.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 14m. Total distance: 174.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 74.6 miles on US 64. 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 Jonesboro, 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.

Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Jonesboro, 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.

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Explore more options from Russellville, AR or browse trips ending in Jonesboro, AR.

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Trip from Russellville, AR to Jonesboro, AR

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Old South Restaurant

Sonic Drive-In

Old South Restaurant

Chick-fil-A

Subway

Sonic Drive-In

Hunan Restaurant

Blink Charging Station

Blink Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Tesla Supercharger

EV Connect Charging Station

EV Connect Charging Station

EV Connect Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Craighead Forest Park

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Russellville, AR

Jonesboro, AR

Same local time

1 degrees warmer at arrival

3h 14m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

Continue From Jonesboro, AR

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