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Create accountDrive Time
1h 7m
Distance
55.2 mi
89 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hot Springs, AR
Siarhei Nester
If you are looking for a quick transition between Hot Springs and Little Rock, this 55.2-mile journey is an ideal day trip. Expect to spend about 1 hour and 7 minutes behind the wheel as you navigate from the heart of the Southeast region. With a fuel budget of approximately $8, it is an incredibly cost-effective way to move between these two Arkansas hubs. Since the entire trip is easily manageable in a single day, you do not need to worry about booking overnight accommodations. This route offers a straightforward, practical link between the cities that suits travelers needing efficiency over a lengthy expedition.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
27.6 miles from Hot Springs, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 34m into the drive .
Expect a mixed driving experience as you transition from local roads onto the interstate. You will begin by navigating West Grand Avenue before spending a significant portion of the trip on US 70, which features the longest uninterrupted stretch of 26.9 miles. With a 55% highway share, the drive balances rural road segments with the faster pace of I-30. The personality of the road shifts from regional surface streets to the more uniform rhythm of the interstate as you approach your destination. It is a functional drive that requires steady attention as you move through these varying infrastructure types.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
559 ft
Total Descent
813 ft
Highest Point
689 ft
~11.5 mi in
Elevation Range
443 ft
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 24.2 miles in near US 70.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 1h 7m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 24.2 miles (US 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 51.1 miles (I 30; US 67): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 53 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Keep slight left at fork onto US 70
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30; US 67
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Take the exit toward I 630
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Turn left onto West 7th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto State Capitol
Navigation decision point
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 70 | 26.9 mi | 30m |
| West Grand Avenue | 24.2 mi | 30m |
| I 30 | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| Wilbur D. Mills Freeway | 1.4 mi | 1m |
| State Capitol | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| West 7th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Dr Martin Luther King Drive | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Hot Springs, AR and Little Rock, AR.
Start on US 70B; US 270B
Continue on US 70B; US 270B
Keep slight left at fork onto US 70
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30; US 67
Continue on I 30; US 65; US 67; US 167
Take the exit
Continue on I 630
Take the exit
Turn right onto Dr Martin Luther King Drive
Turn left onto West 7th Street
Turn right onto State Capitol
Turn slight right
Arrive at destination
Since this is a short trip, you have the flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule without needing to worry about long-distance pacing. You can complete the entire 55.2-mile distance without any mandatory stops, though keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is always wise despite the modest $8 estimated cost. Because the route relies on I-30 for over half the journey, try to avoid peak rush hours to ensure you maintain your projected 1 hour and 7 minute travel time. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to familiarize yourself with the transition points from US 70 to I-30 ahead of time, as the shift in speed and traffic volume is the most notable change you will encounter.
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.
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 55.2 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 27.6 miles or 34m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Little Rock, AR than in the middle of the route.
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 55.2 miles and 1h 7m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 27.6 mi from Hot Springs, AR · 34m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
28 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.
A short stop after about 55.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 27.6 miles from Hot Springs, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Little 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 Little Rock, AR.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$8.44 one way
$16.88 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $9.26 | $18.51 |
| premium | $4.61 | $10.02 | $20.04 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $12.26 | $24.53 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$33–$58
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 19.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 16.6 | 0 | $5.80 | $2.65 |
| Efficient EV | 13.8 | 0 | $4.83 | $2.21 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 22.1 | 0 | $7.73 | $3.53 |
Gas CO2
19 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (68% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Hot Springs on Sunday
Local time
5:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Destination
Evening in Little Rock on Sunday
Local time
5:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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