This 61.4-mile journey from Hot Springs, AR to Highland, AR is a straightforward drive, taking about 1 hour and 37 minutes. It's a perfect candidate for a day trip, requiring no overnight stays. The route is predominantly highway, making up 84% of the drive, with a fuel cost estimated around $9. You'll navigate primarily via US 70 and AR 27, with a brief section on Airport Road. Given its short duration and highway focus, this trip is ideal for a quick transition between locations within the Southeast region of Arkansas, offering a practical and efficient way to cover the distance.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
30.7 miles from Hot Springs, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 46m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 37m. Total distance: 61.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Expect a highway-focused experience for the majority of this 61.4-mile route, with 84% of the drive on faster roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 31.3 miles along US 70, allowing for steady progress. As you transition to AR 27 and then Airport Road, the character may shift slightly, but the overall feel remains efficient. This drive is designed for getting from point A to point B with minimal fuss, characterized by consistent speeds and a clear path.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 9 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
Mostly flat terrain
712 ft350 ft
Total Climb
192 ft
Total Descent
362 ft
Highest Point
712 ft
~39.5 mi in
Elevation Range
362 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 70 and AR 27. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 2.1 miles in near US 70B / Airport Road.
Driving Effort1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Hot Springs, AR to Highland, AR is easy. At 1h 37m with 84% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.1 miles (US 70B / Airport Road): Navigation decision point; at 59.9 miles (AR 26 / State Highway 26): Navigation decision point; at 61.4 miles (Pike County 210 Road/Gyp Mine Road): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
3 of 3 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
3
2.1 mi into trip|~3m in|US 70B / Airport Road
Turn left onto US 70B / Airport Road
Navigation decision point
3
59.9 mi into trip|~1h 34m in|AR 26 / State Highway 26
Turn right onto AR 26 / State Highway 26
Navigation decision point
4
61.4 mi into trip|~1h 37m in|Pike County 210 Road/Gyp Mine Road
Turn left onto Pike County 210 Road/Gyp Mine Road
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 70
31.3 mi
46m
AR 27
18.8 mi
33m
Airport Road
7.7 mi
11m
State Highway 26
1.5 mi
2m
West Grand Avenue
0.9 mi
1m
Albert Pike Road
0.9 mi
1m
Summer Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Pike County 210 Road/Gyp Mine Road
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 70
— 31.3 mi, about 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hot Springs, AR and Highland, AR.
1
Start on US 70B; US 270B
0.9 mi·1 min·West Grand Avenue
2
Turn left onto US 70B; US 270B
0.3 mi·28 sec·Summer Street
3
Turn straight onto US 70B; US 270B
0.9 mi·1 min·Albert Pike Road
4
Turn left onto US 70B
7.7 mi·11 min·Airport Road
5
Continue on US 70
31 mi·46 min·US 70
6
Continue on AR 27
19 mi·33 min·AR 27
7
Turn right onto AR 26
1.5 mi·2 min·State Highway 26
8
Turn left onto Pike County 210 Road/Gyp Mine Road
29 ft·1 sec·Pike County 210 Road/Gyp Mine Road
9
Arrive at destination
Pike County 210 Road/Gyp Mine Road
Trip Plan
Given this trip is just 61.4 miles and takes only 1 hour and 37 minutes, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Starting in the morning should get you to Highland with plenty of daylight left. With an estimated fuel cost of $9, budgeting is simple. Since the longest stretch without a turn is 31.3 miles on US 70, plan your breaks before or after this segment if needed. There are no specific stops indicated, so you can easily make this a direct drive or add a quick detour if you see something that catches your eye.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 30.7 miles from Hot Springs, AR, or about 46m 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 14 miles or 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 30.7 miles or 46m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Highland, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Hot Springs, AR
This is one driving day of about 61.4 miles and 1h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 14 miles from Hot Springs, AR.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
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 30.7 mi from Hot Springs, AR
· 46m into the drive
The midpoint is around 30.7 miles from Hot Springs, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Highland, AR
The final approach into Highland, AR usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
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
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$9.27 one way
$18.55 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg22 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$10.18
$20.36
premium
$4.56
$11.02
$22.04
diesel
$5.61
$13.56
$27.11
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$34–$59
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 21.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
18.4
0
$6.45
$2.95
Efficient EV
15.4
0
$5.37
$2.46
EV Truck/SUV
24.6
0
$8.60
$3.93
Gas CO2
21 kg
EV CO2
7 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
Late night
in Hot Springs on Saturday
Local time
12:35 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Highland, AR
Late night
in Highland on Saturday
Local time
12:35 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
72°F
Glenwood, AR
31 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
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
1h 37m 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 Highland, AR covers 61.4 miles and takes about 1h 37m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 70, AR 27, Airport Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 30.7 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 $9.27 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
The drive from Hot Springs, AR to Highland, AR is easy. At 1h 37m with 84% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.1 miles (US 70B / Airport Road): Navigation decision point; at 59.9 miles (AR 26 / State Highway 26): Navigation decision point; at 61.4 miles (Pike County 210 Road/Gyp Mine Road): Navigation decision point.
The route from Hot Springs, AR to Highland, AR does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 350 ft to 712 ft elevation with about 192 ft of total climbing.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Hot Springs National Park.
