Skip to main content
Trip.ovh Logo
Trip.ovh

Trip from Bull Shoals, AR to Pine Bluff, AR

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 14m

Distance

186.7 mi

300 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$28

one way

EV Charging

Fair

2 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 1m ★
6 AM
4h 14m
8 AM
4h 41m
10 AM
4h 23m
12 PM
4h 21m
3 PM
4h 25m
5 PM
4h 39m
8 PM
4h 6m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
Downtown Bull Shoals, AR, AR

Bull Shoals, AR

Connor Scott McManus

city in and county seat of Jefferson County, Arkansas, United States

Pine Bluff, AR

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Bull Shoals, AR to Pine Bluff, AR covers 186.7 miles and takes about 4h 14m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 65, I 530, State Highway 14 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 97 miles on US 65. At current regular gas prices, budget about $28.20 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

93.4 miles from Bull Shoals, AR

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 25m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 65 97 mi 2h 5m
I 530 35 mi 35m
State Highway 14 23.5 mi 41m
AR 27 10.6 mi 18m
Central Boulevard 10 mi 17m
US 65B 5.6 mi 9m
US 62 4.9 mi 5m
South Main Street <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: US 65 — 97 mi, about 2h 5m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Bull Shoals, AR and Pine Bluff, AR.

1

Start on Broadway Avenue

36 ft · 3 sec · Broadway Avenue
2

Turn right onto AR 178

10.0 mi · 17 min · Central Boulevard
3

Turn right onto US 62; US 412

4.9 mi · 5 min · US 62; US 412
4

Turn left onto AR 14

24 mi · 41 min · State Highway 14
5

Turn straight onto AR 27

11 mi · 18 min · AR 27
6

At end of road, turn left onto US 65

64 mi · 1 hr 29 min · US 65
7

Take the exit onto US 65

28 mi · 29 min · US 65
8

Take the exit onto US 65

4.6 mi · 6 min · US 65
9

Keep slight left at fork onto I 530; US 65; US 167

35 mi · 35 min · I 530; US 65; US 167
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit onto US 65B

5.6 mi · 9 min · US 65B
11

Turn right onto North Pine Street

302 ft · 18 sec · North Pine Street
12

Turn left onto West Barraque Street

312 ft · 15 sec · West Barraque Street
13

Turn right onto South Main Street

349 ft · 15 sec · South Main Street
14

Arrive at destination

South Main Street

Trip Plan

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 93.4 miles from Bull Shoals, AR, or about 2h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97 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 41 miles or 1h 9m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 93.4 miles or 2h 25m 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 35m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pine Bluff, AR than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Bull Shoals, 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 Bull Shoals, AR

This is one driving day of about 186.7 miles and 4h 14m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 miles from Bull Shoals, 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 65 for about 97 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Arkansas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Clinton, AR

93 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Flippin, AR

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Clinton, AR

Meal break

The midpoint is around 93.4 miles from Bull Shoals, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 65 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 97 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Lucky's

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Pine Bluff, Arkansas

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 186.7

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+18705342825

Visit website

Wagon Wheel Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Greenbrier, Arkansas

1.8 mi

The Root Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Little Rock, Arkansas

2.1 mi

Lucky's

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 186.7

Pine Bluff, Arkansas

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+18705342825

Visit website

Wagon Wheel Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 106.7

Greenbrier, Arkansas

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+15016795009

Visit website

The Root Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 146.7

Little Rock, Arkansas

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+15014140423

Visit website

Bobby's Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 133.4

North Little Rock, Arkansas

Hours: 6:30 am–7:30 pm

+15018517888

Shark Bites Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour Inexpensiv mile 186.7

Pine Bluff, Arkansas

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+18708504888

Rosie's | Pot & Kettle Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 146.7

Little Rock, Arkansas

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+15017471456

Visit website

Lybrand's | Bakery & Deli

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 186.7

Pine Bluff, Arkansas

+18705344607

Visit website

Buenos Aires Grill & Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $20 to $30 mile 146.7

Little Rock, Arkansas

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15019042133

Visit website

River City Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10 mile 146.7

Little Rock, Arkansas

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+15016611496

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 120

Conway, Arkansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 120

Conway, Arkansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Reno's Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 146.7

North Little Rock, Arkansas

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+15013762900

Visit website

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 186.6 — 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 | AR 178 / Central Boulevard

Turn right onto AR 178 / Central Boulevard

Navigation decision point

5
49 mi into trip | ~1h 23m in | US 65

At end of road, turn left onto US 65

Navigation decision point

6
146 mi into trip | ~3h 28m in | I 530; US 65; US 167

Keep slight left at fork onto I 530; US 65; US 167

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
5
186.6 mi into trip | ~4h 13m in | West Barraque Street

Turn left onto West Barraque Street

Navigation decision point

5
186.6 mi into trip | ~4h 13m in | South Main Street

Turn right onto South Main Street

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$28.20 one way

$56.39 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 65 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $30.95 $61.91
premium $4.56 $33.51 $67.02
diesel $5.61 $41.22 $82.44

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: 65.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 56 0 $19.60 $8.96
Efficient EV 46.7 0 $16.34 $7.47
EV Truck/SUV 74.7 0 $26.14 $11.95

Gas CO2

65 kg

EV CO2

22 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 15, 2026

Origin

Bull Shoals, AR

Afternoon in Bull Shoals on Saturday

Local time

12:52 PM

CDT

Current temp

76°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Pine Bluff, AR

Afternoon in Pine Bluff on Saturday

Local time

12:52 PM

CDT

Current temp

77°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

75°F

Clinton, AR

93 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 warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

4h 14m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

This is a 4h 14m highway drive covering 186.7 miles, with most of the trip on US 65 and I 530. The longest continuous stretch is about 97 miles on US 65.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 65 is the longest continuous segment at about 97 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

4/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 65 and I 530. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near AR 178 / Central Boulevard.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 4h 14m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (AR 178 / Central Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 49 miles (US 65): Navigation decision point; at 146 miles (I 530; US 65; US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

About the Cities

Starting in Bull Shoals, AR

Full guide →

Bull Shoals is in the Ozarks region of Arkansas. Located on the shore of Bull Shoals Lake, it's a resort town with a lot to offer.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 14m. Total distance: 186.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (95%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Bull Shoals, AR to Pine Bluff, AR covers 186.7 miles and takes about 4h 14m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are US 65, I 530, State Highway 14. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 93.4 miles from Bull Shoals, AR. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $28.20 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

This is a straightforward 4h 14m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

The main spots that need attention: near the start (AR 178 / Central Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 49 miles (US 65): Navigation decision point; at 146 miles (I 530; US 65; US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

The route from Bull Shoals, AR to Pine Bluff, AR does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Pine Bluff, AR

Fayetteville, AR 230.2 mi · 4h 2m Elkins, AR 207.9 mi · 4h 2m Fort Smith, AR 199.3 mi · 3h 30m Caraway, AR 196.7 mi · 3h 45m

More from Bull Shoals, AR

Jonesboro, AR 141.9 mi · 3h 9m Bentonville, AR 132.9 mi · 2h 56m Rogers, AR 125.9 mi · 2h 50m Springdale, AR 116.2 mi · 2h 32m Conway, AR 115.5 mi · 2h 56m

More trips to Pine Bluff, AR

Centerton, AR 258.3 mi Bethel Heights, AR 241.9 mi Lincoln, AR 235.8 mi Rector, AR 213.4 mi Kibler, AR 190.2 mi Lake City, AR 189 mi
Scenic drives in AR

Explore more options from Bull Shoals, AR or browse trips ending in Pine Bluff, AR.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AR road trips.