If you are planning a trip from Tennessee to Kentucky, Arkansas, expect a straightforward journey covering 115 miles. You should set aside about 1 hour and 54 minutes of driving time for this trek across the Southeast. Because the trip is relatively short, you can easily complete it as a single-day excursion without needing to book an overnight stay. Budgeting around $16 for fuel is a safe bet for this distance. Since the route stays entirely within Arkansas, you will experience a consistent regional feel throughout the drive. This trip is ideal for those who prefer a focused, turn-heavy local drive over long-distance interstate cruising.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
57.4 miles from Tennessee, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Wiley A Branton Sr Highway
26.9 mi
28m
Highway 530
23.4 mi
27m
I 30
20 mi
22m
I 530
16.3 mi
16m
US 425
15.8 mi
20m
Old Hot Springs Highway
5.7 mi
10m
US 278
2.7 mi
4m
Highway 11
1.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Wiley A Branton Sr Highway
— 26.9 mi, about 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tennessee, AR and Kentucky, AR.
1
Start on Tennessee Spur Road
0.3 mi·1 min·Tennessee Spur Road
2
Turn right onto US 278
2.7 mi·4 min·US 278
3
Turn left onto US 425
16 mi·20 min·US 425
4
Turn left onto AR 11
1.7 mi·1 min·Highway 11
5
Turn right onto AR 530
23 mi·27 min·Highway 530
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·38 sec
Toward I 530 North, US 65 North
7
Merge onto I 530; US 63; US 65; US 79
27 mi·28 min·Wiley A Branton Sr Highway
8
Continue on I 530; US 65
16 mi·16 min·I 530; US 65
9
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 30 West: TexarkanaUse the left lane.
10
Merge onto I 30; US 67
20 mi·22 min·I 30; US 67
11
Take the exit
0.1 mi·12 sec
Toward AR 5, AR 35: Benton
12
Turn straight onto AR 5
0.4 mi·37 sec·I-30 Frontage Road
13
Turn slight right onto AR 5
0.2 mi·19 sec·Old Hot Springs Highway
14
Continue on AR 5
5.5 mi·9 min·Old Hot Springs Highway
15
Arrive at destination
AR 5
Trip Plan
Given the turn-heavy nature of this 115-mile drive, it is best to depart during daylight hours to ensure you can clearly navigate the local roads. Since there are no scheduled stops in the data, you have the flexibility to pull over whenever you need a break, making the trip as fast or as relaxed as you prefer. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before you head out, as the $16 estimated cost can fluctuate depending on your vehicle's efficiency. Because the route involves navigating multiple highway changes, keeping your GPS active is a smart move to stay on track. This flexibility is your biggest advantage, so don't feel pressured to rush through the turns.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 57.4 miles from Tennessee, AR, or about 1h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 26.9 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 25 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 57.4 miles or 1h 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kentucky, AR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Tennessee, 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 Tennessee, AR
This is one driving day of about 114.8 miles and 2h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Tennessee, AR.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Wiley A Branton Sr Highway for about 26.9 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 108.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.3 mi into trip|~1m in|US 278
Turn right onto US 278
Navigation decision point
4
18.7 mi into trip|~25m in|AR 11 / Highway 11
Turn left onto AR 11 / Highway 11
Navigation decision point
6
43.9 mi into trip|~54m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 530 North, US 65 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 530 North, US 65 North
6
87.7 mi into trip|~1h 39m in
Take the exit toward I 30 West: Texarkana
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 30 West: Texarkana
5
108.6 mi into trip|~2h 3m in
Take the exit toward AR 5, AR 35: Benton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward AR 5, AR 35: Benton
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.34 one way
$34.68 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg40 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$19.03
$38.06
premium
$4.56
$20.61
$41.21
diesel
$5.61
$25.35
$50.69
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
34.4
0
$12.05
$5.51
Efficient EV
28.7
0
$10.05
$4.59
EV Truck/SUV
45.9
0
$16.07
$7.35
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (68% 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
Tennessee, AR
Night
in Tennessee on Saturday
Local time
11:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Kentucky, AR
Night
in Kentucky on Saturday
Local time
11:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
76°F
Redfield, AR
57 mi in
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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 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.
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...
24 mi from route
~59 min detour
Free
near mile 114.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a hands-on experience behind the wheel, as this route is defined by its turn-heavy, local nature. You will navigate using a combination of Highway 11, Highway 530, and I-530 North to reach your destination. Interestingly, this route features a 0% highway share, meaning you won't be spending your time cruising on high-speed interstates. There is no long, monotonous stretch to speak of, as the longest uninterrupted segment on Highway 11 is 0 miles. Instead, expect a technical drive that requires your full attention as you transition between these local roads.
70% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 26.9 mi on Wiley A Branton Sr Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Wiley A Branton Sr Highway and Highway 530. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near US 278.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 14m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (US 278): Navigation decision point; at 18.7 miles (AR 11 / Highway 11): Navigation decision point; at 43.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Kentucky is a Southern state of the United States; its state capital is Frankfort. Attractions include horse racing and beautiful lakes. It is home to famous food (Kentucky Fried Chicken, Hot Brown, and Burgoo), drink (bourbon whiskey) and music (bluegrass) traditions.
The longest stretch is about 26.9 miles on Wiley A Branton Sr Highway. 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 0.3 miles (US 278): Navigation decision point; at 18.7 miles (AR 11 / Highway 11): Navigation decision point; at 43.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Hot Springs National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Kentucky, AR before heading back.
