Origin
Gentry, AR
Evening in Gentry on Sunday
Local time
6:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Sign in
No account yet?
Create accountDrive 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
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
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 .
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.
Gently rolling terrain
Total Climb
987 ft
Total Descent
1,886 ft
Highest Point
1,605 ft
~54.9 mi in
Elevation Range
1,345 ft
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.
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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
At end of road, turn left onto US 412
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto I 49; US 62; US 71
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork toward I 40 East: Alma, Little Rock
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn sharp left
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
| 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 |
Step-by-step road directions between Gentry, AR and Little Rock, AR.
Start on AR 59B
Turn left onto AR 59B
At end of road, turn right onto AR 59
Continue on AR 59
Continue on AR 59
At end of road, turn left onto US 412
Take the exit
Merge onto I 49; US 62; US 71
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 40; US 71
Take the exit
Turn straight onto AR 365
Continue on AR 365
Enter roundabout onto AR 365
Continue on AR 365
Turn right onto US 70
Continue on US 70
Turn right onto West 3rd Street
Turn left onto State Capitol
Continue on State Capitol
Continue on State Capitol
Turn sharp left
Arrive at destination
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.
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.
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.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 109.9 mi from Gentry, AR · 2h into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
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 checkTop up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 139.2 miles.
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.
Regular Gas
$33.60 one way
$67.20 round trip
| 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Gentry on Sunday
Local time
6:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in Little Rock on Sunday
Local time
6:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Gentry, AR or browse trips ending in Little Rock, AR.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AR road trips.
Explore maps for Gentry, AR or Little Rock, AR on MapSof.net.