Springdale, AR to Newport, AR is 258.6 miles and takes about 4h 38m via I 40 and US 64, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Arkansas, moving from the Northwest region to the Southeast region. With 86% of the drive on highways, expect mostly efficient travel. This route is a solid option for a single-day trip, especially if you want to minimize time spent on surface roads. You'll encounter a single recommended stop along the way, making it easy to plan your break.
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
129.3 miles from Springdale, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 16m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
113.8 mi
1h 53m
US 64
54.2 mi
55m
Fulbright Expressway
48.3 mi
49m
Vilonia Bypass
25.9 mi
32m
State Highway 64
5.4 mi
6m
North Thompson Street
3.3 mi
6m
East Oak Street
1.8 mi
3m
North College Avenue
1.5 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 113.8 mi, about 1h 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Springdale, AR and Newport, AR.
1
Start on North Commercial Street
119 ft·7 sec·North Commercial Street
2
Turn right onto East Johnson Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·East Johnson Avenue
3
Turn left onto US 71B
3.3 mi·6 min·North Thompson Street
4
Continue on US 71B
1.5 mi·2 min·North College Avenue
5
Keep slight right at fork onto US 71B
48 mi·49 min·Fulbright Expressway
Use the straight lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·49 sec
Toward I 40 East: Alma, Little Rock
7
Merge onto I 40; US 71
114 mi·1 hr 53 min·I 40; US 71
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward US 64
9
Keep slight left at fork
212 ft·8 sec
10
Turn left onto US 64
1.8 mi·3 min·East Oak Street
11
Continue on US 64
5.4 mi·6 min·State Highway 64
12
Continue on US 64
26 mi·32 min·Vilonia Bypass
Use the straight lane.
13
Take the exit onto US 64
54 mi·55 min·US 64
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward AR 17: Newport
15
Turn left
76 ft·5 sec
16
Turn left onto AR 17
0.7 mi·1 min·AR 17
17
Turn right onto AR 14
0.7 mi·1 min·South State Street
18
Turn left onto AR 14
1.1 mi·1 min·Malcolm Avenue
19
Continue on AR 14
0.2 mi·19 sec·3rd Street
20
Arrive at destination
AR 14
Trip Plan
Consider departing Springdale in the morning to take advantage of the full daylight for your 4h 38m drive. With a fuel cost estimated at $38, it's wise to fill up before you leave or at your planned stop to avoid higher prices. The longest stretch without a planned stop is 113.8 miles on I 40, so ensure you're comfortable with that duration between potential breaks. Since this is a one-day trip, you have flexibility; however, breaking it up with the single recommended stop will make the drive more comfortable.
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 129.3 miles from Springdale, AR, or about 2h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 113.8 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 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 129.3 miles or 2h 16m 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 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Newport, AR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Springdale, 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 Springdale, AR
This is one driving day of about 258.6 miles and 4h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Springdale, 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 113.8 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.4 and 255.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
5.4 mi into trip|~10m in|US 71B / Fulbright Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 71B / Fulbright Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
53.7 mi into trip|~1h in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 40 East: Alma, Little Rock
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 40 East: Alma, Little Rock
4
168.1 mi into trip|~2h 55m in
Take the exit toward US 64
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward US 64
5
168.3 mi into trip|~2h 55m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
4
255.7 mi into trip|~4h 33m in
Take the exit toward AR 17: Newport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward AR 17: Newport
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.75 one way
$79.49 round trip
$3.90/gal25.4 MPG avg91 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.32
$43.96
$87.92
premium
$4.65
$47.31
$94.62
diesel
$5.35
$54.47
$108.94
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 90.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
77.6
0
$27.15
$12.41
Efficient EV
64.7
0
$22.63
$10.34
EV Truck/SUV
103.4
1
$36.20
$16.55
Gas CO2
90 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% 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 Jun 2, 2026
Origin
Springdale, AR
Afternoon
in Springdale on Wednesday
Local time
2:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Mostly Cloudy
NE 5 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued June 1 at 9:57PM CDT until June 1 at 11:00PM CDT by NWS Little Rock AR
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued June 1 at 9:45PM CDT until June 1 at 10:30PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Destination
Newport, AR
Afternoon
in Newport on Wednesday
Local time
2:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Mostly Cloudy
N 5 mph19% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued June 1 at 9:57PM CDT until June 1 at 11:00PM CDT by NWS Little Rock AR
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued June 1 at 9:45PM CDT until June 1 at 10:30PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
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
4h 38m 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 drive is predominantly highway, with 86% of the route utilizing major roads like I 40 and US 64. You'll experience a long stretch of 113.8 miles on I 40 before transitioning to other roads. Expect a significant number of exits and merging traffic as you navigate these main arteries, especially on the interstate sections.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 113.8 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and US 64. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 5.4 miles in near US 71B / Fulbright Expressway.
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 258.6 miles you will encounter 14 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 5.4 miles (US 71B / Fulbright Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 53.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 168.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,454 ft221 ft
Total Climb
419 ft
Total Descent
1,521 ft
Highest Point
1,454 ft
~18.5 mi in
Elevation Range
1,233 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 Springdale, AR to Newport, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Little Rock along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 38m. Total distance: 258.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 113.8 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 17 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 Newport, 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 17 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.4 miles (US 71B / Fulbright Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 53.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 168.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Newport, AR, but most travelers stay overnight.
