Origin
Des Arc, AR
Evening in Des Arc on Sunday
Local time
6:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Des Arc, AR to Little Rock, AR
Drive Time
1h 12m
Distance
58.8 mi
95 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 7m
★
6 AM
1h 12m
8 AM
1h 24m
10 AM
1h 16m
12 PM
1h 15m
3 PM
1h 17m
5 PM
1h 23m
8 PM
1h 9m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Des Arc, AR
Eren Li
Trip Overview
Traveling from Des Arc to Little Rock is a straightforward 58.8-mile journey that takes about 1 hour and 12 minutes to complete. Because the trip is short, it is easily manageable as a single-day excursion, requiring no overnight stays. You will primarily navigate via I-40, AR-11, and AR-38, making this an efficient connection between these two Southeast Arkansas locations. With an estimated fuel cost of just $9, it is a very budget-friendly transit. Whether you are heading to the state capital for business or a quick visit, this route offers a reliable, no-nonsense path that keeps you on the road for less than an hour and a half.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
29.4 miles from Des Arc, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 38m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 94% of your time spent on high-speed routes. You can expect a consistent pace, particularly during the longest uninterrupted stretch of 39.3 miles along I-40. The transition from the rural feel of Des Arc into the busier environment of Little Rock happens quickly as you merge onto the interstate. While the initial segments involve AR-11 and AR-38, the majority of your experience behind the wheel will be characterized by the steady flow of interstate traffic. It is a functional, efficient drive that prioritizes speed and directness over winding scenic detours.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 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 39.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and AR 11. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near AR 323 / Main Street.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 1h 12m drive. You will face about 11 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 323 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (North 5th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (AR 38): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
AR 323 / Main Street
Turn right onto AR 323 / Main Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
North 5th Street
Turn right onto North 5th Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.4 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
AR 38
At end of road, turn left onto AR 38
Navigation decision point
5
15.3 mi into trip
|
~23m in
|
I 40
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
58.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 12m in
Turn sharp left
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 39.3 mi | 40m |
| AR 11 | 9.9 mi | 14m |
| AR 38 | 4.7 mi | 6m |
| 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 5th Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 39.3 mi, about 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Arc, AR and Little Rock, AR.
1
Start on North 3rd
36 ft
·
3 sec
·
North 3rd
2
Turn right onto AR 323
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
Main Street
3
Turn right onto North 5th Street
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
·
North 5th Street
4
At end of road, turn left onto AR 38
4.7 mi
·
6 min
·
AR 38
5
Continue on AR 11
9.9 mi
·
14 min
·
AR 11
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
7
Merge onto I 40
39 mi
·
40 min
·
I 40
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
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
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Toward US 70 East
10
Turn right onto East 7th Street
0.5 mi
·
54 sec
·
East 7th Street
11
Turn straight onto West 7th Street
175 ft
·
3 sec
·
West 7th Street
12
Continue on North Broadway Street
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
North Broadway Street
13
Continue on 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
Since this is a short trip, you have the flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule rather than worrying about lengthy travel windows. Keep in mind that since you will be spending nearly the entire drive on highways, you should be prepared for typical interstate traffic patterns as you approach Little Rock. There are no mandatory stops required for this 58.8-mile distance, allowing you to drive straight through if you prefer. To stay efficient, make sure you are fueled up before you leave Des Arc so you can take full advantage of that $9 fuel budget. If you are prone to fatigue, even a quick stretch during your transition between the state highways and I-40 will keep you fresh for the final leg.
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 29.4 miles from Des Arc, AR, or about 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 39.3 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 58.8 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 29.4 miles or 38m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 59m
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 Des Arc, 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 Des Arc, AR
This is one driving day of about 58.8 miles and 1h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Des Arc, AR.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 39.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 29.4 mi from Des Arc, AR · 38m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
29 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 58.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 29.4 miles from Des Arc, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Little Rock, AR
The final approach into Little Rock, 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 Little Rock, AR.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$8.99 one way
$17.98 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
21 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $9.86 | $19.72 |
| premium | $4.61 | $10.67 | $21.34 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $13.06 | $26.13 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$34–$59
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 20.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 17.6 | 0 | $6.17 | $2.82 |
| Efficient EV | 14.7 | 0 | $5.15 | $2.35 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 23.5 | 0 | $8.23 | $3.76 |
Gas CO2
21 kg
EV CO2
7 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.
Destination
Little Rock, AR
Evening in Little Rock on Sunday
Local time
6:24 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
2 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
1h 12m 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 Des Arc, AR to Little Rock, AR covers 58.8 miles and takes about 1h 12m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, AR 11, AR 38. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 29.4 miles from Des Arc, AR. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $8.99 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a straightforward 1h 12m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (AR 323 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (North 5th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (AR 38): Navigation decision point.
The route from Des Arc, AR to Little Rock, AR does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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