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Trip from Hot Springs, AR to Elkins, AR

Drive Time

3h 28m

Distance

164.2 mi

264 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$25

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

8 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
3h 16m ★
6 AM
3h 28m
8 AM
3h 53m
10 AM
3h 37m
12 PM
3h 34m
3 PM
3h 38m
5 PM
3h 52m
8 PM
3h 21m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Hot Springs, AR, AR

Hot Springs, AR

Siarhei Nester

Downtown Elkins, AR, AR

Elkins, AR

www.kaboompics.com

Trip Overview

The drive from Hot Springs, AR to Elkins, AR covers 164.2 miles and takes about 3h 28m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on AR 7, I 40, AR 23 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 45.1 miles on AR 7. At current regular gas prices, budget about $25.10 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

82.1 miles from Hot Springs, AR

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 38m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 3h 28m highway drive covering 164.2 miles, with most of the trip on AR 7 and I 40. The longest continuous stretch is about 45.1 miles on AR 7.

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.
AR 7 is the longest continuous segment at about 45.1 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on AR 7 and I 40. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near AR 7 / Central Avenue.

Route Complexity 2/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

The drive from Hot Springs, AR to Elkins, AR is easy. At 3h 28m with 80% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (AR 7 / Central Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 7.3 miles (AR 7): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 52.2 miles (AR 7): Navigation decision point.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

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

4
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | AR 7 / Central Avenue

Turn right onto AR 7 / Central Avenue

Navigation decision point

4
7.3 mi into trip | ~11m in | AR 7

Enter roundabout onto AR 7

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

4
52.2 mi into trip | ~1h 2m in | AR 7

At end of road, turn right onto AR 7

Navigation decision point

6
77.1 mi into trip | ~1h 33m in

Take the ramp toward I-40

Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch

Exit 78 Toward I-40
5
119.9 mi into trip | ~2h 16m in

Take the exit toward Ozark, Huntsville

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward Ozark, Huntsville

Towns Along This Route

Between Hot Springs, AR and Elkins, AR, road signs point toward Ozark and Huntsville.

Ozark

119.9 mi in | ~2h 16m

Huntsville

119.9 mi in | ~2h 16m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
AR 7 45.1 mi 51m
I 40 42.5 mi 42m
AR 23 24.4 mi 36m
AR 16 19.6 mi 34m
4th Street 14.4 mi 16m
Park Avenue 6.2 mi 9m
Union Street 4.9 mi 5m
West Main Street 4.6 mi 7m
Longest stretch: AR 7 — 45.1 mi, about 51m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Hot Springs, AR and Elkins, AR.

1

Start on US 70B; US 270B

82 ft · 5 sec · West Grand Avenue
2

Turn right onto AR 7

1.1 mi · 1 min · Central Avenue
3

Continue on AR 7

6.2 mi · 9 min · Park Avenue
4

Enter roundabout onto AR 7

297 ft · 3 sec · AR 7
5

Continue on AR 7

45 mi · 50 min · AR 7
6

At end of road, turn right onto AR 7

0.2 mi · 20 sec · AR 7
7

At end of road, turn left onto AR 7; AR 10

0.3 mi · 23 sec · South Scenic 7 Drive
8

Continue on AR 7

14 mi · 16 min · 4th Street
9

Continue on AR 7

0.2 mi · 15 sec · North State Highway 7
10

Continue on AR 22

374 ft · 9 sec · AR 22
11

Turn right onto AR 7

4.9 mi · 5 min · Union Street
12

Turn left onto US 64

3.1 mi · 4 min · West Main Street
13

Continue on US 64

1.5 mi · 2 min · West Main Street
14

Turn right onto Mission Road

0.2 mi · 22 sec · Mission Road
15

Continue on Lakewood Drive

367 ft · 9 sec · Lakewood Drive
16

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 38 sec
Exit 78 Toward I-40
17

Merge onto I 40

42 mi · 42 min · I 40
18

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 39 sec
Toward Ozark, Huntsville
19

Turn right onto AR 23

24 mi · 36 min · AR 23
20

Turn slight left

78 ft · 9 sec
21

Turn left onto AR 16

20 mi · 34 min · AR 16
22

Turn right onto Church Street

155 ft · 6 sec · Church Street
23

Arrive at destination

Church Street

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 82.1 miles from Hot Springs, AR, or about 1h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 45.1 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 36m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 82.1 miles or 1h 38m 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 38m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Elkins, 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 164.2 miles and 3h 28m.

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 AR 7 for about 45.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 82.1 mi from Hot Springs, AR · 1h 38m into the drive

Downtown Haskell, AR, AR

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Haskell, AR

82 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

Haskell, AR

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Haskell, AR

Meal break

The midpoint is around 82.1 miles from Hot Springs, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Elkins, AR

The final approach into Elkins, 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 Elkins, AR.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Hot Springs National Park

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...

1 mi from route ~4 min detour Free
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$25.10 one way

$50.20 round trip

$3.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 58 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.26 $27.53 $55.07
premium $4.61 $29.80 $59.60
diesel $5.64 $36.48 $72.96

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$25

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$50–$75

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 57.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

EV Charging Along Route

8 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Workman's Travel Center - Tesla Supercharger

Ozark, AR

Tesla

8 DCFC

Cogswell Motors

Russellville, AR

EV Connect

4 DCFC

Walmart 66 (Clarksville, AR)

Clarksville, AR

Electrify America

4 DCFC

Gregg Orr Cadillac Of Hot Springs

Hot Springs, AR

EV Connect

2 DCFC

Orr Hyundai of Russellville

Russellville, AR

Blink Network

2 DCFC

ZAP HELIOS ZAP LLC

Hot Springs, AR

ChargePoint Network

1 DCFC

FRANKLINS 3-4 FRANKLIN HS1

Hot Springs, AR

ChargePoint Network

1 DCFC

FRANKLINS 3-4 FRANKLIN HS2

Hot Springs, AR

ChargePoint Network

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Network: 3 EV Connect: 2 Blink Network: 1 Electrify America: 1 Tesla: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 49.3 0 $17.24 $7.88
Efficient EV 41.1 0 $14.37 $6.57
EV Truck/SUV 65.7 0 $22.99 $10.51

Gas CO2

57 kg

EV CO2

19 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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Hot Springs, AR

Late night in Hot Springs on Monday

Local time

5:46 AM

CDT

Current temp

59°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Elkins, AR

Late night in Elkins on Monday

Local time

5:46 AM

CDT

Current temp

74°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

59°F

Haskell, AR

82 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

15 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 28m 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 Hot Springs, AR to Elkins, AR covers 164.2 miles and takes about 3h 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are AR 7, I 40, AR 23. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 82.1 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 $25.10 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.
The drive from Hot Springs, AR to Elkins, AR is easy. At 3h 28m with 80% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (AR 7 / Central Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 7.3 miles (AR 7): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 52.2 miles (AR 7): Navigation decision point.
Between Hot Springs, AR and Elkins, AR, road signs point toward Ozark and Huntsville.

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