Texarkana to Wynne is 244 miles and takes about 4 hours 19 minutes via Purple Heart Trail and I-40, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Arkansas, traversing the Southeast region from start to finish. It's a manageable, single-day drive that offers a mix of highway cruising and surface road travel. Plan for a fairly straightforward trip, mostly on well-maintained roads, that gets you from one side of the state to the other without excessive time commitment.
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
122 miles from Texarkana, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 7m 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 Wynne, 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 right at fork onto I 440
10 mi·11 min·East Belt Freeway
Toward I 440 East: Little Rock Airport, Little Rock River Port, Memphis
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 40: Memphis, Fort Smith
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 40 East: Memphis
11
Merge onto I 40
79 mi·1 hr 19 min·I 40
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward AR 1: Wynne, Marianna
13
Keep slight left at fork
180 ft·4 sec
14
Turn straight onto AR 1
2.5 mi·4 min·AR 1
15
At end of road, turn left onto AR 1
12 mi·16 min·AR 1
16
Arrive at destination
AR 1
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour drive time, you can easily complete this trip in one day, leaving Texarkana in the morning to arrive in Wynne by afternoon. The single stop suggestion means you can be flexible with your timing, perhaps stopping for a break around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially as you transition from the Purple Heart Trail to I-40, and budget around $33 for gas. Since it's a relatively short drive, you have the advantage of not needing to rush.
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 122 miles from Texarkana, AR, or about 2h 7m 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 54 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 122 miles or 2h 7m 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wynne, 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 244 miles and 4h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 229.2 — 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
6
139.2 mi into trip|~2h 24m in|I 440 / East Belt Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 440 / East Belt Freeway toward I 440 East: Little Rock Airport, Little Rock River Port, Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 440 East: Little Rock Airport, Little...
6
149.2 mi into trip|~2h 36m in
Take the exit toward I 40: Memphis, Fort Smith
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 40: Memphis, Fort Smith
5
149.4 mi into trip|~2h 36m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 40 East: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 40 East: Memphis
5
229.2 mi into trip|~3h 57m in
Take the exit toward AR 1: Wynne, Marianna
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward AR 1: Wynne, Marianna
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.98 one way
$75.97 round trip
$3.95/gal25.4 MPG avg85 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$41.87
$83.75
premium
$4.71
$45.26
$90.51
diesel
$6.18
$59.36
$118.71
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
73.2
0
$25.62
$11.71
Efficient EV
61
0
$21.35
$9.76
EV Truck/SUV
97.6
1
$34.16
$15.62
Gas CO2
85 kg
EV CO2
29 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Texarkana, AR
Morning
in Texarkana on Tuesday
Local time
6:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Sunny
SE 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Wynne, AR
Morning
in Wynne on Tuesday
Local time
6:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Sunny
SE 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
4h 19m 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 92.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is 43% highway, meaning you'll spend a good portion of your time on I-40. You'll encounter the longest continuous stretch of driving on the Purple Heart Trail at 133.5 miles. Expect a shift from highway speeds to more typical surface road conditions after leaving the interstate. The profile indicates a mixed highway and surface road experience, so be prepared for varying traffic patterns and speed limits.
43% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
16 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 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 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 244 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 139.2 miles (I 440 / East Belt Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 149.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
450 ft195 ft
Total Climb
356 ft
Total Descent
463 ft
Highest Point
450 ft
~122 mi in
Elevation Range
255 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 Wynne, AR, road signs point toward Little Rock River Port, Memphis, Fort Smith and Marianna.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 19m. Total distance: 244 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 19m 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 2 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 Wynne, 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 2 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (County Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 139.2 miles (I 440 / East Belt Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 149.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Wynne, AR, but most travelers stay overnight.
