Spanning 159.1 miles across Arkansas, this trip from Walnut Ridge to Kentucky takes approximately 2 hours and 28 minutes of driving time. Because the duration is relatively short, you can easily complete this journey as a comfortable day trip without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend around $22 on fuel, making this a budget-friendly excursion within the Southeast region. You will navigate via I-30 West, head through Texarkana, and utilize AR-5 to reach your destination. It is a straightforward route that keeps you within the same state, allowing for a predictable and manageable travel experience.
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
78.4 miles from Walnut Ridge, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 22m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 412
94.7 mi
1h 38m
I 57
28.1 mi
29m
I 30
20.8 mi
23m
Old Hot Springs Highway
5.7 mi
10m
US 167
4.9 mi
6m
West Main Street
1.2 mi
1m
I 40
0.9 mi
1m
I-30 Frontage Road
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 412
— 94.7 mi, about 1h 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Walnut Ridge, AR and Kentucky, AR.
1
Start on US 412B
1.2 mi·1 min·West Main Street
2
Take the ramp onto US 412
95 mi·1 hr 38 min·US 412
3
Continue on I 57; US 167
28 mi·29 min·I 57; US 167
4
Merge onto I 40; US 167
0.9 mi·1 min·I 40; US 167
5
Take the exit onto US 167
4.9 mi·6 min·US 167
Toward I 30 West, US 65 South, US 67 South, US 167 South: Little Rock
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 30; US 67
21 mi·23 min·I 30; US 67
Exit 138Toward TexarkanaUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.1 mi·12 sec
Toward AR 5, AR 35: Benton
8
Turn straight onto AR 5
0.4 mi·37 sec·I-30 Frontage Road
9
Turn slight right onto AR 5
0.2 mi·19 sec·Old Hot Springs Highway
10
Continue on AR 5
5.5 mi·9 min·Old Hot Springs Highway
11
Arrive at destination
AR 5
Trip Plan
Since this is a 2-hour and 28-minute drive, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best. With no major highway segments, it is wise to account for the turn-heavy nature of the route when estimating your arrival time, as your average speed may be lower than on an interstate. Keep your fuel budget of $22 in mind, though filling up before you leave Walnut Ridge is a smart way to avoid searching for stations during the more local, winding sections of AR-5. Because there are no designated stops provided, pack your own snacks and water to avoid needing to break your momentum. Prioritize daylight hours for the drive to ensure better visibility while navigating the local road network.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 78.4 miles from Walnut Ridge, AR, or about 1h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 94.7 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 35 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78.4 miles or 1h 22m 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 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kentucky, AR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Walnut Ridge, 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 Walnut Ridge, AR
This is one driving day of about 156.9 miles and 2h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Walnut Ridge, 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 412 for about 94.7 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 5
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.2 and 150.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
1.2 mi into trip|~1m in|US 412
Take the ramp onto US 412
Navigation decision point
3
124 mi into trip|~2h 9m in|I 40; US 167
Merge onto I 40; US 167
Merge point - match speed before joining
5
124.9 mi into trip|~2h 11m in|US 167
Take the exit onto US 167 toward I 30 West, US 65 South, US 67 South, US 167 South: Little Rock
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 30 West, US 65 South, US 67 South, US...
8
129.8 mi into trip|~2h 17m in|I 30; US 67
Keep slight right at fork onto I 30; US 67 toward Texarkana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 138
Toward Texarkana
5
150.6 mi into trip|~2h 40m in
Take the exit toward AR 5, AR 35: Benton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward AR 5, AR 35: Benton
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.70 one way
$47.39 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg55 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$26.01
$52.02
premium
$4.56
$28.16
$56.32
diesel
$5.61
$34.64
$69.28
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
47.1
0
$16.47
$7.53
Efficient EV
39.2
0
$13.73
$6.28
EV Truck/SUV
62.8
0
$21.97
$10.04
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Walnut Ridge, AR
Night
in Walnut Ridge on Saturday
Local time
11:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Kentucky, AR
Night
in Kentucky on Saturday
Local time
11:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
77°F
Jacksonville, AR
78 mi in
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
1 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
2h 51m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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...
24 mi from route
~59 min detour
Free
near mile 156.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate haul, as this route features zero highway miles. You will find no long, uninterrupted stretches on I-30 West, meaning your focus will be consistently required on the road ahead. Navigating through Texarkana and onto AR-5 requires frequent adjustments and attention to local transitions. Because the entire 159.1-mile distance consists of local roads, you should anticipate a hands-on driving experience that changes pace significantly compared to typical high-speed travel. This is a journey defined by its technical nature and local character.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
11 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 94.7 mi on US 412.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 412 and I 57. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 1.2 miles in near US 412.
Driving Effort2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Walnut Ridge, AR to Kentucky, AR is easy. At 2h 51m with 96% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.2 miles (US 412): Navigation decision point; at 124 miles (I 40; US 167): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 124.9 miles (US 167): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
405 ft223 ft
Total Climb
209 ft
Total Descent
125 ft
Highest Point
405 ft
~145.7 mi in
Elevation Range
181 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 Walnut Ridge, AR to Kentucky, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Texarkana along the way.
Kentucky is a Southern state of the United States; its state capital is Frankfort. Attractions include horse racing and beautiful lakes. It is home to famous food (Kentucky Fried Chicken, Hot Brown, and Burgoo), drink (bourbon whiskey) and music (bluegrass) traditions.
The longest stretch is about 94.7 miles on US 412. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 1.2 miles (US 412): Navigation decision point; at 124 miles (I 40; US 167): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 124.9 miles (US 167): 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Kentucky, AR before heading back.
