Hot Springs, AR to Bay, AR is 190.9 miles and takes about 3h 32m via I 57 and US 70, with a fuel budget near $29 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Arkansas, traveling through the Southeast region. It's a straightforward drive that primarily uses interstate highways, making it a quick and efficient way to get between these two points. Plan for a single-day excursion, as the distance and estimated travel time are well within reasonable limits for most drivers.
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
95.5 miles from Hot Springs, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
102.7 mi
1h 46m
US 70
26.9 mi
30m
West Grand Avenue
24.2 mi
30m
US 78
12.1 mi
13m
Joe N Martin Expressway
9.6 mi
10m
Southwest Drive
6.1 mi
7m
I 30
4.9 mi
6m
US 67
1.6 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 102.7 mi, about 1h 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hot Springs, AR and Bay, AR.
1
Start on US 70B; US 270B
82 ft·8 sec·West Grand Avenue
2
Continue on US 70B; US 270B
24 mi·30 min·West Grand Avenue
3
Keep slight left at fork onto US 70
27 mi·30 min·US 70
4
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30; US 67
0.7 mi·49 sec·I 30; US 67
5
Continue on I 30; US 65; US 67; US 167
4.2 mi·5 min·I 30; US 65; US 67; US 167
6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 67; US 167
1.6 mi·2 min·US 67; US 167
Exit 143BToward I 40 East, US 67 North, US 167 North: Jacksonville, Memphis
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57; US 167
28 mi·29 min·I 57; US 167
Toward Saint LouisUse the slight left lane.
8
Continue on I 57; US 64; US 167
74 mi·1 hr 16 min·I 57; US 64; US 167
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward AR 226: Jonesboro
10
Keep slight right at fork
346 ft·8 sec
11
Merge onto US 78; AR 226
12 mi·13 min·US 78; AR 226
12
Continue on US 49; US 63; US 78
6.1 mi·7 min·Southwest Drive
13
Take the exit onto US 49; US 78
0.3 mi·35 sec·US 49; US 78
14
Merge onto I 555; US 49; US 78
9.6 mi·10 min·Joe N Martin Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward AR 463: Bay
16
Turn right
126 ft·3 sec
17
Turn right onto AR 463
1.2 mi·2 min·AR 463
18
Turn left onto AR 158
0.2 mi·23 sec·Elder Street
19
At end of road, turn right onto AR 158
0.2 mi·18 sec·North Main Street
20
Arrive at destination
AR 158
Trip Plan
Given this is a 1-day trip covering just over 190 miles, you have flexibility with your departure time. Leaving in the morning should allow you to complete the drive with plenty of daylight. The longest stretch without a major change in road type is 102.7 miles on I 57, so plan your fuel stops accordingly before you get on this segment. While there's only one recommended stop, consider breaking up the drive with a brief pause even if you don't need to refuel, perhaps around the time you transition from I 57 to US 70.
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 95.5 miles from Hot Springs, AR, or about 1h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 102.7 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 42 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 95.5 miles or 1h 48m 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 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bay, AR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Hot Springs, 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 Hot Springs, AR
This is one driving day of about 190.9 miles and 3h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Hot Springs, 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 57 for about 102.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 24.2 and 190.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
24.2 mi into trip|~30m in|US 70
Keep slight left at fork onto US 70
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
7
56 mi into trip|~1h 7m in|US 67; US 167
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
Exit 143B
Toward I 40 East, US 67 North, US 167 North: Ja...
7
57.6 mi into trip|~1h 9m in|I 57; US 167
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57; US 167 toward Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward Saint Louis
5
179.3 mi into trip|~3h 18m in|I 555; US 49; US 78 / Joe N Martin Expressway
Merge onto I 555; US 49; US 78 / Joe N Martin Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
190.7 mi into trip|~3h 32m in|AR 158 / North Main Street
At end of road, turn right onto AR 158 / North Main Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.83 one way
$57.66 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg67 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$31.65
$63.30
premium
$4.56
$34.26
$68.53
diesel
$5.61
$42.15
$84.30
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 66.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
5 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: good
EV Connect Charging Station
Newport, Arkansas
EV Connect
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Jonesboro, Arkansas
Tesla
1 DCFC
EV Connect Charging Station
Jonesboro, Arkansas
EV Connect
1 DCFC
EV Connect Charging Station
Jonesboro, Arkansas
EV Connect
1 DCFC
Blink Charging Station
Jonesboro, Arkansas
Blink
1 DCFC
EV Connect: 3
Tesla: 1
Blink: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
57.3
0
$20.04
$9.16
Efficient EV
47.7
0
$16.70
$7.64
EV Truck/SUV
76.4
0
$26.73
$12.22
Gas CO2
67 kg
EV CO2
22 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
Hot Springs, AR
Afternoon
in Hot Springs on Saturday
Local time
2:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bay, AR
Afternoon
in Bay on Saturday
Local time
2:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
77°F
Jacksonville, AR
95 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
1 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 32m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Hot Springs National Park
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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is 83% highway, offering long stretches of consistent travel. You'll spend the majority of your time on I 57, with the longest continuous segment spanning 102.7 miles. After that, the route shifts to US 70 and West Grand Avenue, indicating a transition to more surface road conditions. Expect a noticeable increase in exits and potentially more local traffic as you move off the interstate.
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 57 is the longest continuous segment at about 102.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and US 70. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 24.2 miles in near US 70.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 190.9 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 24.2 miles (US 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 56 miles (US 67; US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 57.6 miles (I 57; US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hot Springs, AR and Bay, AR, road signs point toward Memphis and Saint Louis.
Memphis
56 mi in|~1h 7m|via US 67; US 167
Saint Louis
57.6 mi in|~1h 9m|via I 57; US 167
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 32m. Total distance: 190.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Hot Springs, AR to Bay, AR covers 190.9 miles and takes about 3h 32m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 57, US 70, West Grand Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 95.5 miles from Hot Springs, AR. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $28.83 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 is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 190.9 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 24.2 miles (US 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 56 miles (US 67; US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 57.6 miles (I 57; US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Hot Springs, AR and Bay, AR, road signs point toward Memphis and Saint Louis.
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, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
