Salem, AR to Hot Springs, AR is 200.6 miles and takes about 4h 6m via US 167 and I 30, with a fuel budget near $30 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Arkansas, connecting the Southeast region from start to finish. Expect a mix of highway and surface roads for a varied driving experience. With a recommended one-day drive, you can easily make this trip without needing an overnight stay, allowing for a flexible schedule.
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
100.3 miles from Salem, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 13m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 167
60.1 mi
1h 3m
Batesville Boulevard
32.9 mi
43m
I 30
27 mi
29m
US 70
24.6 mi
31m
Morning Side Lane
17.1 mi
19m
North Saint Louis Street
14.4 mi
22m
Ash Flat Drive
11.9 mi
17m
Evening Shade Drive
9.5 mi
14m
Longest stretch:
US 167
— 60.1 mi, about 1h 3m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Salem, AR and Hot Springs, AR.
1
Start on AR 9
0.2 mi·29 sec·North Main Street
2
Turn left onto US 62; US 412
17 mi·19 min·Morning Side Lane
3
Turn right onto US 167
12 mi·17 min·Ash Flat Drive
4
Continue on US 167
9.5 mi·14 min·Evening Shade Drive
5
Continue on US 167; AR 58
2.1 mi·3 min·North Main Street
6
Continue on US 167
14 mi·22 min·North Saint Louis Street
7
Continue on US 167; AR 25
33 mi·43 min·Batesville Boulevard
8
Take the exit onto US 167
55 mi·56 min·US 167
9
Merge onto I 40; US 167
0.9 mi·1 min·I 40; US 167
10
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
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 30; US 67
24 mi·26 min·I 30; US 67
Exit 138Toward TexarkanaUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 30; US 70
2.9 mi·3 min·I 30; US 70
13
Take the exit onto US 70
25 mi·31 min·US 70
Toward US-70 West: Hot Springs
14
Arrive at destination
US 70B; US 270B
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour drive time, starting your trip in the morning is ideal to maximize daylight and arrive in Hot Springs with plenty of time. Plan for one stop, perhaps around the halfway point, to stretch your legs and refuel if necessary. The longest stretch on US 167 is a good opportunity to settle in, but be mindful of the transition when you switch to other roads. The $30 fuel cost is an estimate, so check current prices before you leave. This route is easily manageable in a single day, so you have the flexibility to depart when it suits you best.
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 100.3 miles from Salem, AR, or about 2h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 60.1 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 44 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 100.3 miles or 2h 13m 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 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hot Springs, AR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Salem, 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 Salem, AR
This is one driving day of about 200.6 miles and 4h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Salem, 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 167 for about 60.1 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 6
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 176.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
3
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|US 62; US 412 / Morning Side Lane
Turn left onto US 62; US 412 / Morning Side Lane
Navigation decision point
4
88 mi into trip|~2h 1m in|US 167
Take the exit onto US 167
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
5
144.2 mi into trip|~2h 58m 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...
8
149.1 mi into trip|~3h 5m in|I 30; US 67
Keep slight right at fork onto I 30; US 67 toward Texarkana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 138
Toward Texarkana
4
176.1 mi into trip|~3h 35m in|US 70
Take the exit onto US 70 toward US-70 West: Hot Springs
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward US-70 West: Hot Springs
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.30 one way
$60.59 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg70 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$33.26
$66.51
premium
$4.56
$36.01
$72.01
diesel
$5.61
$44.29
$88.58
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
60.2
0
$21.06
$9.63
Efficient EV
50.2
0
$17.55
$8.02
EV Truck/SUV
80.2
1
$28.08
$12.84
Gas CO2
70 kg
EV CO2
23 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
Salem, AR
Morning
in Salem on Sunday
Local time
9:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hot Springs, AR
Morning
in Hot Springs on Sunday
Local time
9:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 6m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Hot Springs National Park
National Park
Hot Springs National Park has a rich cultural past. The grand architecture of our historic bathhouses is equally matched by the natural curiosities that have been drawing people here for hundreds of y...
1 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 200.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is 56% highway, meaning you'll spend a good portion on faster roads. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 60.1 miles on US 167, offering a good opportunity for steady cruising. The profile is described as mixed highway & surface, indicating a transition from faster roads to potentially more local streets or two-lane highways as you progress. Be prepared for potential changes in speed limits and traffic patterns when you leave the main highway sections.
56% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 60.1 mi on US 167.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near US 62; US 412 / Morning Side Lane.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 6m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (US 62; US 412 / Morning Side Lane): Navigation decision point; at 88 miles (US 167): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 144.2 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 Salem, AR to Hot Springs, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Texarkana along the way.
Texarkana
149.1 mi in|~3h 5m|via I 30; US 67
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 6m. Total distance: 200.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 60.1 miles on US 167. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 7 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.
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 0.2 miles (US 62; US 412 / Morning Side Lane): Navigation decision point; at 88 miles (US 167): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 144.2 miles (US 167): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Hot Springs National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Hot Springs, AR, but most travelers stay overnight.
