Waldron, AR to Tennessee, AR is 200.3 miles and takes about 3 hours 58 minutes via US 270, US 425, and Highway 530, with a fuel budget near $29 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Arkansas, connecting two points in the Southeast region. Given the predominantly highway profile, expect a straightforward drive. With only one recommended stop and a single-day duration, it's a practical option if you're looking to cover ground efficiently.
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
100.1 miles from Waldron, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 59m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 270
131.9 mi
2h 34m
Highway 530
22.9 mi
26m
US 425
15.7 mi
20m
US 71
10.2 mi
11m
I 530
9.9 mi
11m
South Main Street
3.6 mi
5m
West Gaines Avenue
2.6 mi
4m
Highway 11
2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
US 270
— 131.9 mi, about 2h 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waldron, AR and Tennessee, AR.
1
Start on Danville Road
128 ft·11 sec·Danville Road
2
Turn left onto US 71B
3.6 mi·5 min·South Main Street
3
Continue on US 71B
155 ft·6 sec·South Main Street
4
Continue on US 71
10 mi·11 min·US 71
5
Turn left onto US 270
64 mi·1 hr 16 min·US 270
6
Take the exit onto US 270
8.8 mi·9 min·US 270
7
Take the exit onto US 270
0.3 mi·36 sec·US 270
Toward US-270 West, US-270 East
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 270
13 mi·14 min·US 270
9
Take the exit onto US 270
1.5 mi·1 min·US 270
10
Take the exit onto US 270
0.4 mi·40 sec·US 270
Toward US 270 East: Malvern
11
Turn right onto US 270
44 mi·50 min·US 270
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
13
Merge onto I 530; US 65
9.9 mi·11 min·I 530; US 65
14
Take the exit
0.7 mi·52 sec
Exit 44Toward AR 530 South: Star City, Monticello
15
Continue on AR 530
23 mi·26 min·Highway 530
16
At end of road, turn left onto AR 11
2.0 mi·2 min·Highway 11
17
Turn right onto US 425
16 mi·20 min·US 425
18
Take the exit
226 ft·6 sec
19
Turn slight right onto US 278
2.6 mi·4 min·West Gaines Avenue
20
Turn left onto Tennessee Spur Road
0.3 mi·1 min·Tennessee Spur Road
21
Arrive at destination
Tennessee Spur Road
Trip Plan
To make the most of this route, consider departing early in the morning to maximize daylight. The drive is manageable within a single day, so flexibility in your schedule is a key advantage. With a 3-hour 58-minute estimated drive time, you might only need one planned stop. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 131.9-mile stretch on US 270, to ensure you have enough to reach the next service area.
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 100.1 miles from Waldron, AR, or about 1h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 131.9 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 44 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 100.1 miles or 1h 59m 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 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tennessee, AR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Waldron, 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 Waldron, AR
This is one driving day of about 200.3 miles and 3h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Waldron, 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 US 270 for about 131.9 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 86.7 and 179.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
86.7 mi into trip|~1h 43m in|US 270
Take the exit onto US 270 toward US-270 West, US-270 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US-270 West, US-270 East
5
99.9 mi into trip|~1h 58m in|US 270
Take the exit onto US 270
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
5
101.8 mi into trip|~2h 1m in|US 270
Turn right onto US 270
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
155.9 mi into trip|~3h 3m in
Take the exit toward AR 530 South: Star City, Monticello
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 44
Toward AR 530 South: Star City, Monticello
5
179.6 mi into trip|~3h 31m in|AR 11 / Highway 11
At end of road, turn left onto AR 11 / Highway 11
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.81 one way
$55.61 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg70 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$31.11
$62.22
premium
$4.29
$33.82
$67.64
diesel
$4.80
$37.82
$75.64
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
60.1
0
$21.03
$9.61
Efficient EV
50.1
0
$17.53
$8.01
EV Truck/SUV
80.1
1
$28.04
$12.82
Gas CO2
70 kg
EV CO2
23 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 Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Waldron, AR
Morning
in Waldron on Sunday
Local time
6:17 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 7:55PM CDT until July 19 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 7:40PM CDT until July 19 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Little Rock AR
Destination
Tennessee, AR
Morning
in Tennessee on Sunday
Local time
6:17 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 7:55PM CDT until July 19 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 7:40PM CDT until July 19 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Little Rock AR
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
2 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
3h 58m 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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 82.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend 96% of this 200.3-mile drive on highways. The longest continuous stretch of highway driving is 131.9 miles, primarily on US 270. This means you'll experience mostly uninterrupted cruising for the bulk of your travel. Surface roads will become more prevalent closer to your destination.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 131.9 mi on US 270.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 270 and Highway 530. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 86.7 miles in near US 270.
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 200.3 miles you will encounter 14 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: at 86.7 miles (US 270): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 99.9 miles (US 270): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 101.8 miles (US 270): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,016 ft208 ft
Total Climb
539 ft
Total Descent
962 ft
Highest Point
1,016 ft
~28.6 mi in
Elevation Range
807 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 Waldron, AR to Tennessee, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Monticello along the way.
Tennessee is a US state in the South known for its rich history, music, and the Appalachian Mountains along its eastern border. Many visitors come to see Elvis Presley's home, Graceland, or the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 58m. Total distance: 200.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 131.9 miles on US 270. 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.
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 86.7 miles (US 270): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 99.9 miles (US 270): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 101.8 miles (US 270): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Hot Springs National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Tennessee, AR, but most travelers stay overnight.
