Spanning 126.2 miles across Arkansas, this straightforward journey from West Memphis to Jacksonville is an efficient trek through the Southeast. You can easily complete the drive in roughly 2 hours and 13 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. With a fuel budget of approximately $19, the costs remain manageable for solo drivers and families alike. Navigating primarily via I-40, the route bypasses the need for an overnight stay, allowing you to reach your destination in a single push. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a quick getaway, this highway-focused path provides a reliable link between the two cities.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
63.1 miles from West Memphis, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 7m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
111.5 mi
1h 51m
East Broadway Boulevard
6.1 mi
9m
North Belt Freeway
3.6 mi
3m
I 57
1.3 mi
1m
South Redmond Road
0.6 mi
1m
South 1st Street
0.5 mi
1m
South James Street
0.4 mi
1m
AR 147
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 111.5 mi, about 1h 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Memphis, AR and Jacksonville, AR.
1
Start on this road
21 ft·6 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto US 70
6.1 mi·9 min·East Broadway Boulevard
3
Turn right onto AR 147
0.1 mi·17 sec·AR 147
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·48 sec
5
Merge onto I 40
111 mi·1 hr 51 min·I 40
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward I 40, AR 440: Jacksonville, TexarkanaUse the straight / right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward AR 440 East: Jacksonville, Saint Louis
8
Merge onto I 440
3.6 mi·3 min·North Belt Freeway
9
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·22 sec·this road
Toward I 57, US 67, US 167: Sherwood, North Little Rock, Jacksonville
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·33 sec
Toward I 57 North, US 67 North, US 167 North: Jacksonville
11
Merge onto I 57; US 167
1.3 mi·1 min·I 57; US 167
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward Redmond Road
13
Turn right onto South Redmond Road
0.6 mi·1 min·South Redmond Road
14
Turn left onto South James Street
0.4 mi·1 min·South James Street
15
Turn right onto Stone Street
0.1 mi·25 sec·Stone Street
16
Turn slight left onto AR 161
0.5 mi·1 min·South 1st Street
17
Arrive at destination
AR 161
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever it best fits your schedule without worrying about mid-route lodging. Given that the longest uninterrupted stretch spans over 111 miles, ensure your tank is topped off before merging onto I-40 to avoid any unnecessary stops. If you prefer to avoid potential congestion, consider timing your departure to steer clear of traditional rush hours. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during that long interstate block, as opportunities to pull off may be spaced out. Taking advantage of the quick travel time means you can focus your energy on your arrival in Jacksonville rather than the fatigue of a long-haul drive.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 63.1 miles from West Memphis, AR, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.5 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 28 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 63.1 miles or 1h 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 1h 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jacksonville, AR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving West Memphis, 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 West Memphis, AR
This is one driving day of about 126.2 miles and 2h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from West Memphis, AR.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 111.5 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 122.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|US 70 / East Broadway Boulevard
Turn left onto US 70 / East Broadway Boulevard
Navigation decision point
4
6.1 mi into trip|~9m in|AR 147
Turn right onto AR 147
Navigation decision point
7
118.2 mi into trip|~2h 2m in
Take the exit toward I 40, AR 440: Jacksonville, Texarkana
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 40, AR 440: Jacksonville, Texarkana
7
118.4 mi into trip|~2h 2m in
Keep slight right at fork toward AR 440 East: Jacksonville, Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward AR 440 East: Jacksonville, Saint Louis
6
122.6 mi into trip|~2h 7m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 57 North, US 67 North, US 167 North: Jacksonville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 57 North, US 67 North, US 167 North: J...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.06 one way
$38.12 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg44 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$20.92
$41.84
premium
$4.56
$22.65
$45.30
diesel
$5.61
$27.86
$55.73
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
37.9
0
$13.25
$6.06
Efficient EV
31.6
0
$11.04
$5.05
EV Truck/SUV
50.5
0
$17.67
$8.08
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (66% 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 20, 2026
Origin
West Memphis, AR
Late night
in West Memphis on Tuesday
Local time
3:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Jacksonville, AR
Late night
in Jacksonville on Tuesday
Local time
3:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live 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
1 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
2h 13m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a focused interstate experience as 92% of your journey takes place on high-speed roads. The vast majority of your time behind the wheel will be spent on a 111.5-mile stretch along I-40, which serves as the backbone of this trip. Transitions into local travel occur briefly as you utilize East Broadway Boulevard and the North Belt Freeway to reach your final destination. Because the drive is dominated by heavy highway miles, you will find a consistent, rhythmic pace that keeps travel times predictable. It is a no-nonsense route designed for getting from point A to point B with minimal deviation.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 111.5 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and East Broadway Boulevard. 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 US 70 / East Broadway Boulevard.
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 126.2 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 (US 70 / East Broadway Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 6.1 miles (AR 147): Navigation decision point; at 118.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between West Memphis, AR and Jacksonville, AR, road signs point toward Texarkana and Saint Louis.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 13m. Total distance: 126.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 111.5 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Jacksonville, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 70 / East Broadway Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 6.1 miles (AR 147): Navigation decision point; at 118.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Jacksonville, AR before heading back.
