Trip from Gentry, AR to Little Rock, AR

Drive Time

3h 54m

Distance

219.8 mi

354 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$34

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
3h 42m ★
6 AM
3h 55m
8 AM
4h 21m
10 AM
4h 4m
12 PM
4h 1m
3 PM
4h 5m
5 PM
4h 19m
8 PM
3h 47m

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

Trip Overview

Connecting Gentry to Little Rock, this 219.8-mile journey across Arkansas typically takes about 3 hours and 54 minutes of driving time. Because the vast majority of the trek is highway-focused, you can easily complete the entire trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to budget roughly $34 for fuel to cover the distance. Navigating through the Southeast, you will find this route serves as a direct, efficient link between the two Arkansas cities. It is a straightforward transit option for those prioritizing speed and reliability over backroad exploration.

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

109.9 miles from Gentry, AR

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

Drive Character

Prepare for a high-speed experience, as 97 percent of this route consists of highway driving. You will spend the bulk of your time on I-49, US-412, and I-40, which provide a consistent, fast-paced rhythm behind the wheel. The most significant portion of your travel involves a 139.2-mile stretch on I-40, where you can settle into a steady cruise. While the journey is largely utilitarian rather than scenic, the transition between these major arteries keeps the drive moving quickly. Expect a predictable experience that relies on major infrastructure rather than technical local roads.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 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 139.2 miles.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

1,605 ft 260 ft

Total Climb

987 ft

Total Descent

1,886 ft

Highest Point

1,605 ft

~54.9 mi in

Elevation Range

1,345 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 49. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 6.2 miles in near US 412.

Route Complexity 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 219.8 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 6.2 miles (US 412): Lane positioning matters here; at 24 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 24.3 miles (I 49; US 62; US 71): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

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

7
6.2 mi into trip | ~9m in | US 412

At end of road, turn left onto US 412

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
5
24 mi into trip | ~32m in

Take the exit

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

Use the right lane.
5
24.3 mi into trip | ~33m 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
75.7 mi into trip | ~1h 25m 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
6
219.7 mi into trip | ~3h 54m in

Turn sharp left

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 40 139.2 mi 2h 19m
I 49 51.4 mi 52m
US 412 17.8 mi 23m
AR 59 4.4 mi 6m
Pike Avenue 1.5 mi 2m
South Gentry Boulevard 1.2 mi 2m
West 3rd Street 0.8 mi 1m
South Collins Avenue 0.5 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 40 — 139.2 mi, about 2h 19m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on AR 59B

67 ft · 6 sec · East Main Street
2

Turn left onto AR 59B

0.5 mi · 1 min · South Collins Avenue
3

At end of road, turn right onto AR 59

1.2 mi · 2 min · South Gentry Boulevard
4

Continue on AR 59

4.3 mi · 6 min · AR 59
5

Continue on AR 59

421 ft · 14 sec · AR 59
Use the straight lane.
6

At end of road, turn left onto US 412

18 mi · 23 min · US 412
Use the straight / right lanes.
7

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 15 sec
Use the right lane.
8

Merge onto I 49; US 62; US 71

51 mi · 52 min · I 49; US 62; US 71
Use the straight lane.
9

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 49 sec
Toward I 40 East: Alma, Little Rock
10

Merge onto I 40; US 71

139 mi · 2 hr 19 min · I 40; US 71
11

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 22 sec
Toward AR 365
12

Turn straight onto AR 365

0.4 mi · 36 sec · Mac Arthur Drive
13

Continue on AR 365

1.5 mi · 2 min · Pike Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
14

Enter roundabout onto AR 365

289 ft · 5 sec · West Broadway Street
15

Continue on AR 365

0.4 mi · 48 sec · West Broadway Street
16

Turn right onto US 70

0.5 mi · 42 sec · Broadway Bridge
17

Continue on US 70

0.2 mi · 24 sec · Broadway Street
18

Turn right onto West 3rd Street

0.8 mi · 1 min · West 3rd Street
19

Turn left onto State Capitol

314 ft · 13 sec · State Capitol
20

Continue on State Capitol

440 ft · 20 sec · State Capitol
21

Continue on State Capitol

415 ft · 25 sec · State Capitol
22

Turn sharp left

260 ft · 19 sec
23

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Planning for this trip is simple since it only requires one primary stop to break up the nearly four-hour drive. Leaving early in the morning helps you avoid potential congestion on the main interstates, especially during peak traffic hours near your destination. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during that long 139.2-mile stretch on I-40, as services can be spaced out. Since this is a one-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure to suit your personal schedule. Prioritize your single planned stop midway to ensure you stay refreshed for the final leg of your journey into Little Rock.

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 109.9 miles from Gentry, AR, or about 2h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 139.2 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 80 miles or 1h 30m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 109.9 miles or 2h 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 11m

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 Gentry, 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 Gentry, AR

This is one driving day of about 219.8 miles and 3h 54m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Gentry, 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 139.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 109.9 mi from Gentry, AR · 2h into the drive

Downtown Texarkana, TX, TX

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Texarkana, TX

110 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

Garland, 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 109.9 miles from Gentry, 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 139.2 miles.

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.

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

$33.60 one way

$67.20 round trip

$3.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 77 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.26 $36.86 $73.71
premium $4.61 $39.89 $79.79
diesel $5.64 $48.83 $97.66

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$34

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$59–$84

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 76.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 65.9 0 $23.08 $10.55
Efficient EV 55 0 $19.23 $8.79
EV Truck/SUV 87.9 1 $30.77 $14.07

Gas CO2

77 kg

EV CO2

26 kg (66% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 3 days ago

Origin

Gentry, AR

Evening in Gentry on Sunday

Local time

6:24 PM

CDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

9 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 54m 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 Gentry, AR to Little Rock, AR covers 219.8 miles and takes about 3h 54m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, I 49, US 412. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 109.9 miles from Gentry, AR. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $33.60 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 219.8 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 6.2 miles (US 412): Lane positioning matters here; at 24 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 24.3 miles (I 49; US 62; US 71): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Gentry, AR to Little Rock, AR does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Gently rolling terrain. The route ranges from 260 ft to 1,605 ft elevation with about 987 ft of total climbing.

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