Connecting West Memphis to Little Rock, this 129-mile journey across Arkansas is a straightforward trip that typically takes about two hours. Since the entire route stays within the Southeast region, you will find a consistent atmosphere as you transition between these two cities. Budgeting around $18 for fuel should comfortably cover your gas needs for the one-way trek. This drive is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, meaning you do not need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you have other plans in the capital. It serves as a practical, efficient link between the eastern edge of the state and its central hub.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
64 miles from West Memphis, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
117.2 mi
1h 58m
East Broadway Boulevard
6.1 mi
9m
US 167
1.4 mi
2m
West 3rd Street
0.8 mi
1m
Broadway Bridge
0.5 mi
<1m
East 7th Street
0.5 mi
<1m
North Broadway Street
0.3 mi
<1m
State Capitol
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 117.2 mi, about 1h 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Memphis, AR and Little Rock, 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
117 mi·1 hr 58 min·I 40
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Take the exit onto US 167
1.4 mi·2 min·US 167
Toward I 30 West, US 65 South, US 67 South, US 167 South: Little Rock
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward US 70 East
8
Turn right onto East 7th Street
0.5 mi·54 sec·East 7th Street
9
Turn straight onto West 7th Street
175 ft·3 sec·West 7th Street
10
Continue on North Broadway Street
0.3 mi·31 sec·North Broadway Street
11
Continue on US 70
0.5 mi·42 sec·Broadway Bridge
12
Continue on US 70
0.2 mi·24 sec·Broadway Street
13
Turn right onto West 3rd Street
0.8 mi·1 min·West 3rd Street
14
Turn left onto State Capitol
314 ft·13 sec·State Capitol
15
Continue on State Capitol
440 ft·20 sec·State Capitol
16
Continue on State Capitol
415 ft·25 sec·State Capitol
17
Turn sharp left
260 ft·19 sec
18
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short two-hour journey, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time around local traffic patterns. You will not need to worry about complex stop planning since the route is designed to be completed in a single push without mandatory breaks. Keep a close eye on your navigation when transitioning between East Broadway Boulevard and the other segments, as the turn-heavy nature of the route requires steady focus. Setting aside $18 for fuel is a safe bet, but consider filling up before you leave West Memphis to avoid any mid-route stress. Taking advantage of the short duration allows you to arrive in Little Rock with plenty of daylight left for your afternoon plans.
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 64 miles from West Memphis, AR, or about 1h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 117.2 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 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 64 miles or 1h 8m 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 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Little Rock, 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 128 miles and 2h 17m.
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 117.2 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 127.9 — 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
5
6.7 mi into trip|~10m in|I 40
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
123.8 mi into trip|~2h 9m 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...
6
127.9 mi into trip|~2h 17m in
Turn sharp left
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.33 one way
$38.66 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg45 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$21.22
$42.44
premium
$4.56
$22.97
$45.95
diesel
$5.61
$28.26
$56.52
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: 44.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
38.4
0
$13.44
$6.14
Efficient EV
32
0
$11.20
$5.12
EV Truck/SUV
51.2
0
$17.92
$8.19
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 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 20, 2026
Origin
West Memphis, AR
Morning
in West Memphis on Tuesday
Local time
7:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Little Rock, AR
Morning
in Little Rock on Tuesday
Local time
7:03 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 17m 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 turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route relies on a mix of East Broadway Boulevard, I-30 West, and US-70 East. With zero percent of the travel spent on traditional high-speed highway stretches, you will spend more time navigating local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch is zero miles on East Broadway Boulevard, indicating a drive defined by frequent turns and transitions. You should be prepared for a hands-on driving experience that requires your full attention compared to a standard highway haul. By the time you reach Little Rock, you will have navigated a variety of local road conditions.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 117.2 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and East Broadway Boulevard. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 70 / East Broadway Boulevard.
Driving Effort2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from West Memphis, AR to Little Rock, AR is easy. At 2h 17m with 93% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
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 6.7 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Little Rock is the capital and the largest city of the state of Arkansas. Little Rock is a cultural, economic, government, and transportation center within Arkansas and the American South. Several cultural institutions are in Little Rock, along with hiking, boating, and other outdoor recreational opportunities. Little Rock's history is available through history museums, historic districts or neighborhoods.
The longest stretch is about 117.2 miles on I 40. 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: near the start (US 70 / East Broadway Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 6.1 miles (AR 147): Navigation decision point; at 6.7 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Little Rock, AR before heading back.
