Texarkana, AR to Pocahontas, AR is 283.1 miles and takes about 4h 59m via Purple Heart Trail and I 57, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Arkansas, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. It's a single-day trip, mostly on highways but with a significant portion on surface roads. You'll want to be prepared for a mixed driving experience, transitioning between faster highway speeds and potentially slower surface road travel as you make your way north.
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
141.6 miles from Texarkana, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 27m 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
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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 Pocahontas, 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
94 mi·1 hr 38 min·I 57; US 64; US 167
13
Keep slight left at fork onto US 67
15 mi·17 min·US 67
Toward US 67 North: Williams Baptist College, Pocahontas
14
Turn left onto AR 90
0.1 mi·11 sec·East Broadway Street
15
Arrive at destination
AR 90
Trip Plan
Given this is a single-day trip totaling just under 5 hours of driving, you have a good deal of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving Texarkana in the morning will get you to Pocahontas with plenty of daylight to spare. The route includes one stop, which is a good opportunity to stretch your legs and refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach the longer stretch on the Purple Heart Trail, to ensure you're topped up before hitting less populated segments. The $41 fuel cost estimate is helpful for budgeting your trip.
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 141.6 miles from Texarkana, AR, or about 2h 27m 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 62 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 141.6 miles or 2h 27m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pocahontas, 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 283.1 miles and 4h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 268.5 — 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
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
6
268.5 mi into trip|~4h 41m in|US 67
Keep slight left at fork onto US 67 toward US 67 North: Williams Baptist College, Pocahontas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 67 North: Williams Baptist College, P...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.33 one way
$86.67 round trip
$3.89/gal25.4 MPG avg99 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.31
$47.99
$95.99
premium
$4.65
$51.82
$103.63
diesel
$6.28
$69.95
$139.90
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 99.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
84.9
1
$29.73
$13.59
Efficient EV
70.8
0
$24.77
$11.32
EV Truck/SUV
113.2
1
$39.63
$18.12
Gas CO2
99 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 19, 2026
Origin
Texarkana, AR
Late night
in Texarkana on Thursday
Local time
5:32 AM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Pocahontas, AR
Late night
in Pocahontas on Thursday
Local time
5:32 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Sunny
ESE 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
28 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 59m 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...
16 mi from route
~39 min detour
Free
near mile 97.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 51% highway, meaning you'll spend a little over half of your time on faster-paced roads like I 57. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 133.5 miles on the Purple Heart Trail. Expect to transition from highway cruising to surface roads around the halfway point of your drive. You'll notice a change in the pace of traffic and the number of exits as you move between these different road types.
51% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
15 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?
5/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 10 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 283.1 miles you will encounter 10 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 144.1 miles (US 67; US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
460 ft221 ft
Total Climb
273 ft
Total Descent
335 ft
Highest Point
460 ft
~121.3 mi in
Elevation Range
239 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 Pocahontas, AR, road signs point toward Memphis and Saint Louis.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 59m. Total distance: 283.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (51%). 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 133.5 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 0.3 miles (East 24th Street): Navigation decision point; at 144.1 miles (US 67; US 167): 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 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 10.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Pocahontas, AR, but most travelers stay overnight.
