The drive from Hot Springs, AR to Hughes, AR covers 167.6 miles and takes about 3h 14m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 40, US 70, West Grand Avenue for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 87.3 miles on I 40.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $25.31 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
83.8 miles from Hot Springs, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 36m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 14m. Total distance: 167.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 3h 14m highway drive covering 167.6 miles, with most of the trip on I 40 and US 70. The longest continuous stretch is about 87.3 miles on I 40.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 40 is the longest continuous segment at about 87.3 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
700 ft191 ft
Total Climb
285 ft
Total Descent
670 ft
Highest Point
700 ft
~12 mi in
Elevation Range
509 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and US 70. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 51.1 miles in near I 440 / East Belt Freeway.
Driving Effort5/10
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 167.6 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 51.1 miles (I 440 / East Belt Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 61.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 61.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
51.1 mi into trip|~1h 1m in|I 440 / East Belt Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 440 / East Belt Freeway toward I 440 East: Little Rock Airport, Little Rock River Port, Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 440 East: Little Rock Airport, Little...
6
61.1 mi into trip|~1h 12m in
Take the exit toward I 40: Memphis, Fort Smith
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 40: Memphis, Fort Smith
5
61.3 mi into trip|~1h 13m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 40 East: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 40 East: Memphis
5
149 mi into trip|~2h 41m in
Take the exit toward AR 38 East: Widener, Hughes
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward AR 38 East: Widener, Hughes
5
149.3 mi into trip|~2h 42m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
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 Hughes, AR, road signs point toward Little Rock River Port, Memphis and Fort Smith.
Little Rock River Port
51.1 mi in|~1h 1m|via I 440
Memphis
51.1 mi in|~1h 1m|via I 440
Fort Smith
61.1 mi in|~1h 12m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
87.3 mi
1h 27m
US 70
26.9 mi
30m
West Grand Avenue
24.2 mi
30m
AR 38
11.8 mi
20m
East Belt Freeway
10 mi
11m
East Main Street
4.2 mi
7m
Jefferson Street
2.1 mi
3m
Church Street
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 87.3 mi, about 1h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hot Springs, AR and Hughes, 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 right at fork onto I 440
10 mi·11 min·East Belt Freeway
Toward I 440 East: Little Rock Airport, Little Rock River Port, Memphis
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 40: Memphis, Fort Smith
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 40 East: Memphis
7
Merge onto I 40
87 mi·1 hr 27 min·I 40
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward AR 38 East: Widener, Hughes
9
Keep slight right at fork
184 ft·4 sec
10
Turn straight onto AR 38
2.1 mi·3 min·Jefferson Street
11
Turn left onto AR 50
4.2 mi·7 min·East Main Street
12
Turn right onto AR 38
12 mi·20 min·AR 38
13
Turn left onto Church Street
0.1 mi·25 sec·Church Street
14
Turn right onto Jeff Davis Street
48 ft·2 sec·Jeff Davis Street
15
Arrive at destination
Jeff Davis 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 83.8 miles from Hot Springs, AR, or about 1h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 87.3 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 37 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.8 miles or 1h 36m 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hughes, 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 167.6 miles and 3h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 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 40 for about 87.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 83.8 mi from Hot Springs, AR
· 1h 36m into the drive
The midpoint is around 83.8 miles from Hot Springs, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 87.3 miles.
Arriving in Hughes, AR
The final approach into Hughes, 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 Hughes, 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
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
$25.31 one way
$50.62 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg59 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$27.79
$55.57
premium
$4.56
$30.08
$60.16
diesel
$5.61
$37.00
$74.01
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: 58.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
50.3
0
$17.60
$8.04
Efficient EV
41.9
0
$14.67
$6.70
EV Truck/SUV
67
0
$23.46
$10.73
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (66% 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
Evening
in Hot Springs on Friday
Local time
5:28 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hughes, AR
Evening
in Hughes on Friday
Local time
5:28 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°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 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 14m 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 Hughes, AR covers 167.6 miles and takes about 3h 14m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, 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 83.8 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 $25.31 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 167.6 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 51.1 miles (I 440 / East Belt Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 61.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 61.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Between Hot Springs, AR and Hughes, AR, road signs point toward Little Rock River Port, Memphis and Fort Smith.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 191 ft to 700 ft elevation with about 285 ft of total climbing.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Hot Springs National Park.
