Origin
Hot Springs, AR
Evening in Hot Springs on Sunday
Local time
8:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Hot Springs, AR to Calico Rock, AR
Drive Time
4h 26m
Distance
173.2 mi
279 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 13m
★
6 AM
4h 26m
8 AM
4h 53m
10 AM
4h 36m
12 PM
4h 33m
3 PM
4h 37m
5 PM
4h 52m
8 PM
4h 18m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hot Springs, AR
Siarhei Nester
Calico Rock, AR
Gotta Be Worth It
Trip Overview
The drive from Hot Springs, AR to Calico Rock, AR covers 173.2 miles and takes about 4h 26m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 70, AR 9, West Grand Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 31.3 miles on US 70. At current regular gas prices, budget about $26.48 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
86.6 miles from Hot Springs, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 41m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a 4h 26m highway drive covering 173.2 miles, with most of the trip on US 70 and AR 9. The longest continuous stretch is about 31.3 miles on US 70.
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.
US 70 is the longest continuous segment at about 31.3 miles.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,063 ft
274 ft
Total Climb
1,860 ft
Total Descent
2,045 ft
Highest Point
1,063 ft
~129.9 mi in
Elevation Range
788 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 70 and AR 9. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 42.4 miles in near US 70.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 173.2 miles you will encounter 11 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 42.4 miles (US 70): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 55.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 56.2 miles (I 40; US 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
42.4 mi into trip
|
~51m in
|
US 70
Take the exit onto US 70 toward I 430 North, US 70: Fort Smith
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 129
Toward I 430 North, US 70: Fort Smith
9
55.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 6m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 40 West: Fort Smith, Oklahoma City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none lane.
Exit 13B
Toward I 40 West: Fort Smith, Oklahoma City
5
56.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 7m in
|
I 40; US 65
Merge onto I 40; US 65
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
5
77.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 29m in
|
US 65
Take the exit onto US 65 toward US 65 North, US 65B South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 65 North, US 65B South
5
150.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 23m in
|
AR 9 / East Main Street
At end of road, turn right onto AR 9 / East Main Street
Navigation decision point
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Hot Springs, AR to Calico Rock, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Oklahoma City along the way.
Oklahoma City
55.5 mi in
|
~1h 6m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 70 | 31.3 mi | 35m |
| AR 9 | 26.4 mi | 46m |
| West Grand Avenue | 24.2 mi | 30m |
| US Highway 65 | 23.1 mi | 31m |
| Sylamore Avenue | 22 mi | 1h 1m |
| I 40 | 21.7 mi | 21m |
| South Broadview Street | 11.8 mi | 16m |
| State Highway 9 | 7.3 mi | 12m |
Longest stretch:
US 70
— 31.3 mi, about 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hot Springs, AR and Calico Rock, 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
18 mi
·
20 min
·
US 70
4
Take the exit onto US 70
13 mi
·
15 min
·
US 70
Exit 129
Toward I 430 North, US 70: Fort Smith
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi
·
49 sec
Exit 13B
Toward I 40 West: Fort Smith, Oklahoma City
Use the none lane.
6
Merge onto I 40; US 65
22 mi
·
21 min
·
I 40; US 65
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit onto US 65
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
US 65
Toward US 65 North, US 65B South
8
Merge onto US 65
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Skyline Drive
9
Continue on US 65
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
US Highway 65
10
Continue on US 65
12 mi
·
16 min
·
South Broadview Street
11
Continue on US 65
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
US Highway 65
12
Continue on US 65
0.7 mi
·
56 sec
·
North Broadview Street
13
Continue on US 65
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
South Broadway
14
Continue on US 65; Hwy 124
18 mi
·
25 min
·
US Highway 65
15
Continue on US 65; AR 9; AR 16
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
US 65; AR 9; AR 16
16
Continue on AR 9; AR 16
10 mi
·
18 min
·
AR 9; AR 16
17
Turn slight right onto AR 9
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
1st Street
18
Turn left onto AR 9
7.3 mi
·
12 min
·
State Highway 9
19
Turn right onto AR 9
16 mi
·
28 min
·
AR 9
20
At end of road, turn right onto AR 9
0.6 mi
·
59 sec
·
East Main Street
21
Turn left onto AR 5; AR 9; AR 14
22 mi
·
1 hr 1 min
·
Sylamore Avenue
22
Turn right onto AR 56
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
·
AR 56
23
Arrive at destination
AR 56
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 86.6 miles from Hot Springs, AR, or about 1h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 31.3 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 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86.6 miles or 1h 41m 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 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Calico Rock, 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 173.2 miles and 4h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 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 US 70 for about 31.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 86.6 mi from Hot Springs, AR · 1h 41m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
87 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 86.6 miles from Hot Springs, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Calico Rock, AR
The final approach into Calico 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 Calico Rock, AR.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.48 one way
$52.96 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
61 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $29.04 | $58.08 |
| premium | $4.61 | $31.44 | $62.87 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $38.48 | $76.96 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 52 | 0 | $18.19 | $8.31 |
| Efficient EV | 43.3 | 0 | $15.15 | $6.93 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 69.3 | 0 | $24.25 | $11.08 |
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
20 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.
Destination
Calico Rock, AR
Evening in Calico Rock on Sunday
Local time
8:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°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
2 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 26m on the road
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Hot Springs, AR to Calico Rock, AR covers 173.2 miles and takes about 4h 26m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 70, AR 9, 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 86.6 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 $26.48 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 173.2 miles you will encounter 11 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 42.4 miles (US 70): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 55.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 56.2 miles (I 40; US 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Hot Springs, AR to Calico Rock, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Oklahoma City along the way.
Gently rolling terrain. The route ranges from 274 ft to 1,063 ft elevation with about 1,860 ft of total climbing.
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