The Purple Cow Restaurant (North Little Rock)
Around the midpoint, right off the route
North Little Rock, Arkansas
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+15019047269
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 8m
Distance
214.5 mi
345 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$32
one way
EV Charging
Good
5 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Glenwood, AR
Andrea Piacquadio
The drive from Glenwood, AR to Jonesboro, AR covers 214.5 miles and takes about 4h 8m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 57, US 70, East Grand Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 102.7 miles on I 57. At current regular gas prices, budget about $32.39 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
107.2 miles from Glenwood, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 13m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 8m. Total distance: 214.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
This is a 4h 8m highway drive covering 214.5 miles, with most of the trip on I 57 and US 70. The longest continuous stretch is about 102.7 miles on I 57.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and US 70. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 70B / Broadway Street.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 214.5 miles you will encounter 15 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: near the start (US 70B / Broadway Street): Navigation decision point; at 27.9 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 56.8 miles (US 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto US 70B / Broadway Street
Navigation decision point
Take the ramp toward US 70, US 270 East: Malvern
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto US 70
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Keep slight right at fork onto US 67; US 167 toward I 40 East, US 67 North, US 167 North: Jacksonville, Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57; US 167 toward Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Glenwood, AR and Jonesboro, AR, road signs point toward Memphis and Saint Louis.
Memphis
Saint Louis
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 57 | 102.7 mi | 1h 46m |
| US 70 | 54.4 mi | 1h 11m |
| East Grand Avenue | 18.2 mi | 22m |
| US 78 | 12.1 mi | 13m |
| Doctor Martin Luther King, Junior Expressway | 10 mi | 10m |
| Southwest Drive | 7.4 mi | 9m |
| I 30 | 4.9 mi | 6m |
| US 67 | 1.6 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Glenwood, AR and Jonesboro, AR.
Start on North 2nd Street
Turn left onto US 70B
Turn left onto US 70
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 70; US 270
Take the exit onto US 70
Merge onto US 70
Keep slight left at fork onto US 70
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30; US 67
Continue on I 30; US 65; US 67; US 167
Keep slight right at fork onto US 67; US 167
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57; US 167
Continue on I 57; US 64; US 167
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto US 78; AR 226
Continue on US 49; US 63; US 78
Continue on South Main Street
Turn right onto Cate Avenue
Turn left
Arrive at destination
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 47 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107.2 miles or 2h 13m 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 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jonesboro, AR than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Glenwood, 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 Glenwood, AR
This is one driving day of about 214.5 miles and 4h 8m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 107.2 mi from Glenwood, AR · 2h 13m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
107 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 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 107.2 miles from Glenwood, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 57 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 102.7 miles.
The final approach into Jonesboro, 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 Jonesboro, 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.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Restaurant
North Little Rock, Arkansas
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+15019047269
Sonic Drive-In
Jonesboro, Arkansas
Around the midpoint, right off the route
North Little Rock, Arkansas
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+15019047269
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Jonesboro, Arkansas
Hours: 6 am–10:30 pm
+18709357850
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Jonesboro, Arkansas
Hours: 9 am–10 pm
+18709728880
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Jonesboro, Arkansas
Hours: 6 am–10:30 pm
+18709316433
Visit websiteLater in the drive, ~12 min detour
Newport, Arkansas
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+18705234600
Near the end, right off the route
Jonesboro, Arkansas
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18889982546
Visit websiteNear the end, ~9 min detour
Jonesboro, Arkansas
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18777983752
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Jonesboro, Arkansas
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18668167584
Visit websiteLater in the drive, ~11 min detour
Newport, Arkansas
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18668167584
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Jonesboro, Arkansas
+18668167584
Visit websiteNear the end, ~11 min detour
Jonesboro, Arkansas
Hours: 6 am–10 pm
+18709334604
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
National Park
Hot Springs National Park has a rich cultural past. The grand architecture of our historic bathhouses is equally matched by the natural curiosities that have been drawing people here for hundreds of y...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Regular Gas
$32.39 one way
$64.79 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $35.56 | $71.12 |
| premium | $4.56 | $38.50 | $77.00 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $47.36 | $94.72 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 64.4 | 0 | $22.52 | $10.30 |
| Efficient EV | 53.6 | 0 | $18.77 | $8.58 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 85.8 | 1 | $30.03 | $13.73 |
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Glenwood on Saturday
Local time
6:43 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Destination
Morning in Jonesboro on Saturday
Local time
6:43 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°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
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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