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Trip from Elkins, AR to North 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 12m

Distance

163.1 mi

263 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$25

one way

EV Charging

Fair

2 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
3h 0m ★
6 AM
3h 12m
8 AM
3h 36m
10 AM
3h 20m
12 PM
3h 18m
3 PM
3h 22m
5 PM
3h 35m
8 PM
3h 5m

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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city in Arkansas, USA

Elkins, AR

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Elkins, AR to North Little Rock, AR covers 163.1 miles and takes about 3h 12m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 40, AR 23, North Center Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 117.8 miles on I 40. At current regular gas prices, budget about $24.63 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

81.6 miles from Elkins, AR

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 49m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 12m. Total distance: 163.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (87%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

This is a 3h 12m highway drive covering 163.1 miles, with most of the trip on I 40 and AR 23. The longest continuous stretch is about 117.8 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 9 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 117.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and AR 23. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near AR 16 / North Center Street.

Driving Effort 1/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The drive from Elkins, AR to North Little Rock, AR is easy. At 3h 12m with 87% 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 16 / North Center Street): Navigation decision point; at 44.2 miles: Navigation decision point; at 44.5 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining.

Critical Maneuvers

4 of 4 key points

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

4
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | AR 16 / North Center Street

Turn left onto AR 16 / North Center Street

Navigation decision point

3
44.2 mi into trip | ~1h 11m in

Take the ramp

Navigation decision point

3
44.5 mi into trip | ~1h 11m in | I 40

Merge onto I 40

Merge point - match speed before joining

5
162.2 mi into trip | ~3h 10m in

Take the exit

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

Use the right lane.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 40 117.8 mi 1h 58m
AR 23 24.5 mi 36m
North Center Street 19.6 mi 34m
North Main Street 0.7 mi 1m
Church Street <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 40 — 117.8 mi, about 1h 58m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Elkins, AR and North Little Rock, AR.

1

Start on Church Street

155 ft · 12 sec · Church Street
2

Turn left onto AR 16

20 mi · 34 min · North Center Street
3

Turn right onto AR 23

25 mi · 36 min · AR 23
4

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 40 sec
5

Merge onto I 40

118 mi · 1 hr 58 min · I 40
6

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 22 sec
Use the right lane.
7

Turn slight right

93 ft · 4 sec
8

Turn slight right onto North Main Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · North Main Street
9

Arrive at destination

North 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 81.6 miles from Elkins, AR, or about 1h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 117.8 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 36 miles or 59m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 81.6 miles or 1h 49m 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 41m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Elkins, 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 Elkins, AR

This is one driving day of about 163.1 miles and 3h 12m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Elkins, 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 117.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 81.6 mi from Elkins, AR · 1h 49m into the drive

highland region in central-southern United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ozark, AR

82 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

Ozark, AR

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Delaware, AR

Meal break

The midpoint is around 81.6 miles from Elkins, 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 117.8 miles.

Arriving in North Little Rock, AR

The final approach into North 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 North Little Rock, 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.

Nearby Places

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

Top Restaurant

Chick-fil-A

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Russellville, Arkansas

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour Inexpensiv mile 93.2

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+14799670220

Visit website

Old South Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Russellville, Arkansas

2.4 mi

The Purple Cow Restaurant (North Little Rock)

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

North Little Rock, Arkansas

2.9 mi

Chick-fil-A

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour Inexpensiv mile 93.2

Russellville, Arkansas

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+14799670220

Visit website

Old South Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 93.2

Russellville, Arkansas

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+14799683789

Visit website

The Purple Cow Restaurant (North Little Rock)

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 163.1

North Little Rock, Arkansas

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15019047269

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 139.8

Conway, Arkansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 139.8

Conway, Arkansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$24.63 one way

$49.26 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 57 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $27.04 $54.08
premium $4.56 $29.27 $58.55
diesel $5.61 $36.01 $72.02

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$25

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$50–$75

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 57.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 48.9 0 $17.13 $7.83
Efficient EV 40.8 0 $14.27 $6.52
EV Truck/SUV 65.2 0 $22.83 $10.44

Gas CO2

57 kg

EV CO2

19 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

Elkins, AR

Late night in Elkins on Saturday

Local time

3:08 AM

CDT

Current temp

72°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

North Little Rock, AR

Late night in North Little Rock on Saturday

Local time

3:08 AM

CDT

Current temp

77°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

75°F

Ozark, AR

82 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

5 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 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 Elkins, AR to North Little Rock, AR covers 163.1 miles and takes about 3h 12m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 40, AR 23, North Center Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 81.6 miles from Elkins, AR. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $24.63 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.

The drive from Elkins, AR to North Little Rock, AR is easy. At 3h 12m with 87% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

The main spots that need attention: near the start (AR 16 / North Center Street): Navigation decision point; at 44.2 miles: Navigation decision point; at 44.5 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining.

The route from Elkins, AR to North Little Rock, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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