Skip to main content

Trip from Cave Springs, AR to Conway, AR

Data updated 5 hours ago

Drive Time

3h 5m

Distance

174.9 mi

282 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$26

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
2h 54m ★
6 AM
3h 5m
8 AM
3h 28m
10 AM
3h 13m
12 PM
3h 11m
3 PM
3h 14m
5 PM
3h 27m
8 PM
2h 58m

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

Downtown Cave Springs, AR, AR

Cave Springs, AR

Quang Nguyen Vinh

Downtown Conway, AR, AR

Conway, AR

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Cave Springs, AR to Conway, AR covers 174.9 miles and takes about 3h 5m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 40, I 49, North Maestri Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 112.1 miles on I 40. At current regular gas prices, budget about $26.41 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

87.5 miles from Cave Springs, AR

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 35m into the drive .

Loading map...

Drive Character

This is a 3h 5m highway drive covering 174.9 miles, with most of the trip on I 40 and I 49. The longest continuous stretch is about 112.1 miles on I 40.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 40 is the longest continuous segment at about 112.1 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 49. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Midway Avenue.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 174.9 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (Midway Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 6.6 miles (US 412 / East Henri de Tonti Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 15 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Midway Avenue

Turn right onto Midway Avenue

Navigation decision point

5
6.6 mi into trip | ~12m in | US 412 / East Henri de Tonti Boulevard

Turn left onto US 412 / East Henri de Tonti Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
5
8.4 mi into trip | ~15m in

Take the exit

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
5
8.6 mi into trip | ~15m in | I 49; US 62; US 71

Merge onto I 49; US 62; US 71

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
6
60 mi into trip | ~1h 8m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 40 East: Alma, Little Rock

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 40 East: Alma, Little Rock

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 Cave Springs, AR to Conway, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Little Rock along the way.

Little Rock

60 mi in | ~1h 8m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 40 112.1 mi 1h 52m
I 49 51.4 mi 52m
North Maestri Road 2.3 mi 4m
South Main Street (Cave Springs) 1.8 mi 3m
North Main Street (Elm Springs) 1.6 mi 3m
West Sunset Avenue 1.4 mi 2m
Harkrider Street 1.3 mi 1m
North Main Street Elm Springs 0.9 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 40 — 112.1 mi, about 1h 52m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cave Springs, AR and Conway, AR.

1

Start on this road

43 ft · 5 sec · this road
2

Turn right onto Midway Avenue

53 ft · 7 sec · Midway Avenue
3

Turn left onto AR 112

1.8 mi · 3 min · South Main Street (Cave Springs)
4

Continue on AR 112

0.9 mi · 1 min · North Main Street Elm Springs
5

Continue on AR 112

1.6 mi · 3 min · North Main Street (Elm Springs)
Use the straight lane.
6

Continue on AR 112

2.3 mi · 4 min · North Maestri Road
7

Turn left onto US 412

0.4 mi · 36 sec · East Henri de Tonti Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
8

Continue on US 412

1.4 mi · 2 min · West Sunset Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 15 sec
Use the right lane.
10

Merge onto I 49; US 62; US 71

51 mi · 52 min · I 49; US 62; US 71
Use the straight lane.
11

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 49 sec
Toward I 40 East: Alma, Little Rock
12

Merge onto I 40; US 71

112 mi · 1 hr 52 min · I 40; US 71
13

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 21 sec
Toward US 65 North, US 65B South
14

Keep slight right at fork

498 ft · 12 sec
15

Turn slight right onto US 65B

0.2 mi · 21 sec · Skyline Drive
16

Continue on US 64; US 65B

0.5 mi · 41 sec · Harkrider Street
17

Enter roundabout onto Harkrider Street

181 ft · 2 sec · Harkrider Street
18

Continue on Harkrider Street

0.2 mi · 20 sec · Harkrider Street
19

Enter roundabout onto Harkrider Street

162 ft · 2 sec · Harkrider Street
20

Continue on Harkrider Street

0.5 mi · 49 sec · Harkrider Street
21

Turn right onto Oak Street

492 ft · 9 sec · Oak Street
22

Keep slight left at fork onto Oak Street

0.3 mi · 38 sec · Oak Street
23

Turn left onto Locust Avenue

497 ft · 19 sec · Locust Avenue
24

Turn left onto Main Street

104 ft · 4 sec · Main Street
25

Arrive at destination

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 87.5 miles from Cave Springs, AR, or about 1h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 112.1 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 80 miles or 1h 28m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 87.5 miles or 1h 35m 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 31m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Cave Springs, 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 Cave Springs, AR

This is one driving day of about 174.9 miles and 3h 5m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Cave Springs, 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 I 40 for about 112.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 87.5 mi from Cave Springs, AR · 1h 35m into the drive

city in Bowie County, Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Texarkana, TX

87 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

Texarkana, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Texarkana, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 87.5 miles from Cave Springs, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 112.1 miles.

Arriving in Conway, AR

The final approach into Conway, AR usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Conway, AR.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$26.41 one way

$52.83 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 61 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $29.00 $57.99
premium $4.56 $31.39 $62.78
diesel $5.61 $38.62 $77.23

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$26

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$51–$76

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 61.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 52.5 0 $18.36 $8.40
Efficient EV 43.7 0 $15.30 $7.00
EV Truck/SUV 70 0 $24.49 $11.19

Gas CO2

61 kg

EV CO2

20 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 data refreshed 5 days ago

Origin

Cave Springs, AR

Evening in Cave Springs on Tuesday

Local time

8:26 PM

CDT

Current temp

74°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Conway, AR

Evening in Conway on Tuesday

Local time

8:26 PM

CDT

Current temp

61°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

13 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

3h 5m 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Cave Springs, AR to Conway, AR covers 174.9 miles and takes about 3h 5m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, I 49, North Maestri Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 87.5 miles from Cave Springs, AR. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $26.41 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 174.9 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Midway Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 6.6 miles (US 412 / East Henri de Tonti Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Cave Springs, AR to Conway, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Little Rock along the way.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Explore more options from Cave Springs, AR or browse trips ending in Conway, AR.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AR road trips.

Explore maps for Cave Springs, AR or Conway, AR on MapSof.net.