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Trip from Bull Shoals, AR to Little Rock, AR

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

Drive Time

3h 29m

Distance

144.4 mi

232 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$22

one way

EV Charging

Fair

2 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
3h 17m ★
6 AM
3h 29m
8 AM
3h 54m
10 AM
3h 38m
12 PM
3h 35m
3 PM
3h 39m
5 PM
3h 52m
8 PM
3h 22m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Bull Shoals, AR, AR

Bull Shoals, AR

Connor Scott McManus

Downtown Little Rock, AR, AR

Little Rock, AR

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Bull Shoals, AR to Little Rock, AR covers 144.4 miles and takes about 3h 29m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 65, State Highway 14, AR 27 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 91.2 miles on US 65. At current regular gas prices, budget about $21.81 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

72.2 miles from Bull Shoals, AR

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 55m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 65 91.2 mi 1h 57m
State Highway 14 23.5 mi 41m
AR 27 10.6 mi 18m
Central Boulevard 10 mi 17m
US 62 4.9 mi 5m
Pike Avenue 1.5 mi 2m
West 3rd Street 0.8 mi 1m
West Broadway Street 0.5 mi <1m
Longest stretch: US 65 — 91.2 mi, about 1h 57m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Bull Shoals, AR and Little Rock, 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

27 mi · 27 min · US 65
8

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 22 sec
Toward AR 365
9

Turn straight onto AR 365

0.4 mi · 36 sec · Mac Arthur Drive
10

Continue on AR 365

1.5 mi · 2 min · Pike Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
11

Enter roundabout onto AR 365

289 ft · 5 sec · West Broadway Street
12

Continue on AR 365

0.4 mi · 48 sec · West Broadway Street
13

Turn right onto US 70

0.5 mi · 42 sec · Broadway Bridge
14

Continue on US 70

0.2 mi · 24 sec · Broadway Street
15

Turn right onto West 3rd Street

0.8 mi · 1 min · West 3rd Street
16

Turn left onto State Capitol

314 ft · 13 sec · State Capitol
17

Continue on State Capitol

440 ft · 20 sec · State Capitol
18

Continue on State Capitol

415 ft · 25 sec · State Capitol
19

Turn sharp left

260 ft · 19 sec
20

Arrive at destination

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 72.2 miles from Bull Shoals, AR, or about 1h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 91.2 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 32 miles or 53m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 72.2 miles or 1h 55m 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 58m

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 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 144.4 miles and 3h 29m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 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 91.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Marshall, AR, AR

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Marshall, AR

72 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.

Popular next leg

Marshall, AR to Little Rock, AR

95.9 mi · 2h 6m

Pacing Suggestions

Marshall, AR

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Clinton, AR

Meal break

The midpoint is around 72.2 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 91.2 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

The Root Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Little Rock, Arkansas

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 144.4

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+15014140423

Visit website

The Patio Café

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Conway, Arkansas

1.2 mi

Buenos Aires Grill & Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Little Rock, Arkansas

1.5 mi

Top Coffee Stop

River City Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Little Rock, Arkansas

Near the end, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 144.4

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+15016611496

Visit website

The Root Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 144.4

Little Rock, Arkansas

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+15014140423

Visit website

The Patio Café

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 113.5

Conway, Arkansas

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+15013583556

Visit website

Buenos Aires Grill & Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30 mile 144.4

Little Rock, Arkansas

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15019042133

Visit website

Wagon Wheel Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 103.2

Greenbrier, Arkansas

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+15016795009

Visit website

Cafe Bossa Nova

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30 mile 144.4

Little Rock, Arkansas

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+15015046360

Visit website

Rosie's | Pot & Kettle Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 144.4

Little Rock, Arkansas

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+15017471456

Visit website

Bobby's Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 134.1

North Little Rock, Arkansas

Hours: 6:30 am–7:30 pm

+15018517888

Mike's Café

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 144.4

Little Rock, Arkansas

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15015621515

Visit website

River City Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 144.4

Little Rock, Arkansas

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+15016611496

Visit website

Dark Side Coffee Lounge

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 144.4

North Little Rock, Arkansas

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 113.5

Conway, Arkansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 113.5

Conway, Arkansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Reno's Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 144.4

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 144.4 — 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

4
14.9 mi into trip | ~23m in | AR 14 / State Highway 14

Turn left onto AR 14 / State Highway 14

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

4
113.4 mi into trip | ~2h 53m in | US 65

Take the exit onto US 65

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

6
144.4 mi into trip | ~3h 28m in

Turn sharp left

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$21.81 one way

$43.62 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 51 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $23.94 $47.88
premium $4.56 $25.92 $51.84
diesel $5.61 $31.88 $63.76

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$22

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$47–$72

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 50.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 43.3 0 $15.16 $6.93
Efficient EV 36.1 0 $12.64 $5.78
EV Truck/SUV 57.8 0 $20.22 $9.24

Gas CO2

51 kg

EV CO2

17 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

Bull Shoals, AR

Afternoon in Bull Shoals on Saturday

Local time

12:47 PM

CDT

Current temp

76°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Little Rock, AR

Afternoon in Little Rock on Saturday

Local time

12:47 PM

CDT

Current temp

77°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

74°F

Marshall, AR

72 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

3h 29m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

144.4 mi in 3h 29m, mostly highway — 91.2 mi of that is on US 65.

90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 91.2 mi on US 65.

How Hard Is This Drive?

2/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 65 and State Highway 14. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near AR 178 / Central Boulevard.

Driving Effort 2/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The drive from Bull Shoals, AR to Little Rock, AR is easy. At 3h 29m with 90% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (AR 178 / Central Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 14.9 miles (AR 14 / State Highway 14): Navigation decision point; at 49 miles (US 65): Navigation decision point.

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 3h 29m. Total distance: 144.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (90%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 91.2 miles on US 65. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

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 (AR 178 / Central Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 14.9 miles (AR 14 / State Highway 14): Navigation decision point; at 49 miles (US 65): Navigation decision point.

Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Little Rock, AR, but most travelers stay overnight.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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