Texarkana, AR to Heber Springs, AR is 207.6 miles and takes about 3h 55m via Purple Heart Trail and I-40, with a fuel budget near $28 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip takes you from the Southeast region of Arkansas to another part of the Southeast, staying within the state. It's a relatively short drive, making it ideal for a single-day excursion or a leisurely start to a longer adventure. You'll experience a mix of highway cruising and surface road driving, offering a varied driving experience without being overly demanding.
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
103.8 miles from Texarkana, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 47m into the drive
.
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 20 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,305 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,759
Quietest
2 AM
~288 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
4.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 61 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Texarkana, AR and Heber Springs, AR.
1
Start on East 20th Street
180 ft·9 sec·East 20th Street
2
Turn right onto County Avenue
0.3 mi·38 sec·County Avenue
3
Turn right onto East 24th Street
0.5 mi·1 min·East 24th Street
4
Turn left onto Jefferson Avenue
1.7 mi·3 min·Jefferson Avenue
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·23 sec
6
Merge onto I 30
2.9 mi·3 min·North Loop
7
Continue on I 30
125 mi·2 hr 6 min·Purple Heart Trail
8
Take the exit onto US 70
13 mi·15 min·US 70
Exit 129Toward I 430 North, US 70: Fort SmithUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·49 sec
Exit 13BToward I 40 West: Fort Smith, Oklahoma City
10
Merge onto I 40; US 65
22 mi·21 min·I 40; US 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit onto US 65
0.4 mi·50 sec·US 65
Toward US 65 North, US 65B South
12
Merge onto US 65
1.3 mi·2 min·Skyline Drive
13
Continue on US 65
3.2 mi·4 min·US Highway 65
14
Continue on US 65
7.3 mi·11 min·South Broadview Street
15
Continue on AR 25
26 mi·39 min·AR 25
16
Keep slight left at fork onto AR 5; AR 25
1.2 mi·1 min·Heber Spring Road
17
Continue on AR 25B
0.8 mi·1 min·Heber Spring Road
18
Continue on AR 25B
0.9 mi·1 min·South 7th Street
19
At end of road, turn right onto AR 25B; AR 110
0.3 mi·29 sec·West Main Street
20
Arrive at destination
AR 25B; AR 110
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 55m estimated drive time, starting your trip in Texarkana in the morning is advisable to allow for a relaxed pace and any unforeseen stops. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $28, this route is quite manageable for a single day. Pay attention to the transition from highway to surface roads, especially around the 124.9-mile mark on the Purple Heart Trail, as this could involve changes in speed limits and traffic patterns. This short distance offers flexibility, so consider leaving a bit later if you prefer a more leisurely morning.
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 103.8 miles from Texarkana, AR, or about 1h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 124.9 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 46 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 103.8 miles or 1h 47m 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 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Heber Springs, AR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Texarkana, 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 Texarkana, AR
This is one driving day of about 207.6 miles and 3h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Texarkana, 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 Purple Heart Trail for about 124.9 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 165.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|County Avenue
Turn right onto County Avenue
Navigation decision point
8
130.5 mi into trip|~2h 14m in|US 70
Take the exit onto US 70 toward I 430 North, US 70: Fort Smith
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 129
Toward I 430 North, US 70: Fort Smith
7
143.6 mi into trip|~2h 30m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 40 West: Fort Smith, Oklahoma City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 13B
Toward I 40 West: Fort Smith, Oklahoma City
5
144.3 mi into trip|~2h 31m in|I 40; US 65
Merge onto I 40; US 65
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
165.9 mi into trip|~2h 52m in|US 65
Take the exit onto US 65 toward US 65 North, US 65B South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 65 North, US 65B South
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.78 one way
$63.56 round trip
$3.89/gal25.4 MPG avg73 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.31
$35.19
$70.39
premium
$4.65
$38.00
$75.99
diesel
$6.28
$51.30
$102.59
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 72.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
62.3
0
$21.80
$9.96
Efficient EV
51.9
0
$18.17
$8.30
EV Truck/SUV
83
1
$29.06
$13.29
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
24 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 Oct 23, 2026
Origin
Texarkana, AR
Morning
in Texarkana on Saturday
Local time
7:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Sunny
E 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Heber Springs, AR
Morning
in Heber Springs on Saturday
Local time
7:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Sunny
E 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive 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
4 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
3h 55m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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...
15 mi from route
~39 min detour
Free
near mile 93.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route features a 31% highway share, meaning you'll spend a good portion of your time on faster roads before transitioning to surface streets. The longest continuous stretch on a single road is 124.9 miles on the Purple Heart Trail. Expect a mix of highway driving and surface roads, with the highway portion likely offering more consistent speeds before you encounter more local traffic and intersections on the surface roads.
31% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 124.9 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near County Avenue.
Driving Effort5/10
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 207.6 miles you will encounter 12 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: near the start (County Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 130.5 miles (US 70): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 143.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
602 ft261 ft
Total Climb
445 ft
Total Descent
462 ft
Highest Point
602 ft
~192.8 mi in
Elevation Range
341 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 Texarkana, AR to Heber Springs, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Oklahoma City along the way.
Heber Springs is a city of 7,000 people (2019) in the Ozarks region of Arkansas. Though the origin of its name in part has to do with some springs that existed to the east of the town, it's fairly safe to say that Greers Ferry Lake is its main calling card today.
Top landmarks
•Heber Springs Commercial Historic District — historic district in Heber Springs, Arkansas
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 55m. Total distance: 207.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (31%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 124.9 miles on Purple Heart Trail. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza 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: near the start (County Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 130.5 miles (US 70): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 143.6 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Heber Springs, AR, but most travelers stay overnight.
