Traveling from Texarkana to Jonesboro covers 271.6 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 6 minutes of driving time. Because this route is a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straightforward highway sprint, it is best suited as a single-day trip. You should budget approximately $42 for fuel to complete the journey. Since both cities are located within the Southeast region of Arkansas, you will remain within the same cultural and geographic landscape throughout your transit. It is a manageable trek for a solo driver or a small group, provided you are prepared for the winding local roads rather than high-speed interstate cruising.
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
135 miles from Texarkana, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 20m into the drive
.
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 10 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,309 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,675
Quietest
2 AM
~282 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
4.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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Averaged across 21 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 Jonesboro, 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
134 mi·2 hr 16 min·Purple Heart Trail
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30; US 67
0.7 mi·49 sec·I 30; US 67
9
Continue on I 30; US 65; US 67; US 167
4.2 mi·5 min·I 30; US 65; US 67; US 167
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 67; US 167
1.6 mi·2 min·US 67; US 167
Exit 143BToward I 40 East, US 67 North, US 167 North: Jacksonville, Memphis
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57; US 167
28 mi·29 min·I 57; US 167
Toward Saint LouisUse the slight left lane.
12
Continue on I 57; US 64; US 167
74 mi·1 hr 16 min·I 57; US 64; US 167
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward AR 226: Jonesboro
14
Keep slight right at fork
346 ft·8 sec
15
Merge onto US 78; AR 226
12 mi·13 min·US 78; AR 226
16
Continue on US 49; US 63; US 78
7.4 mi·9 min·Southwest Drive
17
Continue on South Main Street
1.4 mi·2 min·South Main Street
18
Turn right onto Cate Avenue
207 ft·14 sec·Cate Avenue
19
Turn left
75 ft·5 sec
20
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the turn-heavy nature of this journey, you should aim to depart during daylight hours to ensure you can clearly navigate the local street segments. Plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and reset, as the frequent turns can be more fatiguing than a straight highway drive. With a total fuel cost of $42, it is wise to top off your tank before leaving Texarkana to avoid searching for stations on unfamiliar local roads. Since the trip is roughly four hours, maintaining a steady, moderate pace will make the drive much more comfortable. Always double-check your GPS frequently, as the reliance on local streets like Jefferson Avenue means missing a single turn could add unnecessary time to your arrival in Jonesboro.
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 135 miles from Texarkana, AR, or about 2h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 133.5 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 59 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 135 miles or 2h 20m 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 51m
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 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 269.9 miles and 4h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 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 133.5 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 145.7 — 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
4
0.3 mi into trip|~0m in|East 24th Street
Turn right onto East 24th Street
Navigation decision point
4
2.5 mi into trip|~4m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
7
144.1 mi into trip|~2h 30m in|US 67; US 167
Keep slight right at fork onto US 67; US 167 toward I 40 East, US 67 North, US 167 North: Jacksonville, Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 143B
Toward I 40 East, US 67 North, US 167 North: Ja...
7
145.7 mi into trip|~2h 33m in|I 57; US 167
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57; US 167 toward Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward Saint Louis
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.47 one way
$74.93 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg94 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$41.92
$83.84
premium
$4.29
$45.57
$91.15
diesel
$4.80
$50.96
$101.92
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 94.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
81
0
$28.34
$12.96
Efficient EV
67.5
0
$23.62
$10.80
EV Truck/SUV
108
1
$37.79
$17.27
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (66% 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Texarkana, AR
Late night
in Texarkana on Sunday
Local time
4:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 0 to 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 11:57PM CDT until July 20 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Jackson MS
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 10:48PM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Destination
Jonesboro, AR
Late night
in Jonesboro on Sunday
Local time
4:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Clear
SW 5 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 11:57PM CDT until July 20 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Jackson MS
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 10:48PM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 46m 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...
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?
Expect a very different experience than your typical cross-country interstate slog, as this route features a 0% highway share. You will rely on local thoroughfares like County Avenue, East 24th Street, and Jefferson Avenue to navigate your way north. The path is defined by its turn-heavy character, requiring your full attention as you transition between various local roads. Because you are not traveling on major interstates, the pace remains steady but demands more frequent navigation checks. This drive offers a consistent, hands-on experience behind the wheel that keeps you engaged with the local infrastructure throughout the entire 271.6-mile trip.
45% 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: 133.5 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near County Avenue.
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 269.9 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: near the start (County Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (East 24th Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.5 miles: Navigation decision point.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
440 ft186 ft
Total Climb
443 ft
Total Descent
480 ft
Highest Point
440 ft
~112.5 mi in
Elevation Range
254 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Texarkana, AR and Jonesboro, AR, road signs point toward Memphis and Saint Louis.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 46m. Total distance: 269.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 133.5 miles on Purple Heart Trail. 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 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. There are 17 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (County Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (East 24th Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.5 miles: Navigation decision point.
Yes — Hot Springs National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Jonesboro, AR, but most travelers stay overnight.
