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Create accountDrive Time
2h 23m
Distance
118.4 mi
191 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
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
Traveling from Hot Springs to Tennessee, Arkansas, covers 118.4 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 23 minutes. This straightforward journey is best suited for a single-day trip, as the duration is manageable without needing an overnight stop. Budgeting approximately $18 for fuel will cover your transit across this portion of the Southeast. You will primarily utilize a combination of US 270, Highway 530, and US 425 to navigate between these two points. Because both locations are situated within Arkansas, you will experience a consistent regional feel throughout your time on the road. It is a practical, efficient route that gets you from point A to point B without unnecessary complexity.
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
59.2 miles from Hot Springs, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 11m into the drive .
This highway-focused drive is defined by its efficiency, with 81% of the trip spent on major thoroughfares. You will experience a mix of road types, anchored by a longest uninterrupted stretch of 45.9 miles along US 270. The transition between these specific highways keeps the driving rhythm steady, allowing for consistent progress toward your destination. Expect a functional transit experience rather than a winding backroads adventure, as the infrastructure is designed to prioritize speed and directness. Staying alert is key during these longer highway segments where the terrain remains relatively predictable.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
573 ft
Total Descent
926 ft
Highest Point
590 ft
Elevation Range
386 ft
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 270 and Highway 530. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near US 270B / Malvern Avenue.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 2h 23m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (US 270B / Malvern Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 18 miles (US 270): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 19.9 miles (US 270): Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto US 270B / Malvern Avenue
Navigation decision point
Take the exit onto US 270
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Turn right onto US 270
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward AR 530 South: Star City, Monticello
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
At end of road, turn left onto AR 11 / Highway 11
Navigation decision point
On the drive from Hot Springs, AR to Tennessee, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Monticello along the way.
Monticello
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 270 | 45.9 mi | 53m |
| Highway 530 | 22.9 mi | 26m |
| US 425 | 15.7 mi | 20m |
| Malvern Road | 12.4 mi | 14m |
| I 530 | 9.9 mi | 11m |
| Malvern Avenue | 5.2 mi | 7m |
| West Gaines Avenue | 2.6 mi | 4m |
| Highway 11 | 2 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Hot Springs, AR and Tennessee, AR.
Start on US 70B; US 270B
Continue on US 70B; US 270B
Turn right onto US 270B
Continue on US 270
Take the exit onto US 270
Take the exit onto US 270
Turn right onto US 270
Take the exit
Merge onto I 530; US 65
Take the exit
Continue on AR 530
At end of road, turn left onto AR 11
Turn right onto US 425
Take the exit
Turn slight right onto US 278
Turn left onto Tennessee Spur Road
Arrive at destination
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though hitting the road early helps you avoid potential congestion. Given the 2-hour and 23-minute duration, you likely won't require formal rest stops, but planning for a quick break after the 45.9-mile stretch on US 270 can help keep you fresh. Keep your $18 fuel budget in mind, and consider topping off your tank before leaving Hot Springs to ensure you have plenty of range for the full 118.4 miles. Because the route relies heavily on major highways, keep an eye on traffic reports for US 270 and US 425 before you head out to ensure the most efficient travel time.
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 80 miles or 1h 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.2 miles or 1h 11m 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 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tennessee, 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 118.4 miles and 2h 23m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 59.2 mi from Hot Springs, AR · 1h 11m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
59 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 59.2 miles from Hot Springs, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Tennessee, 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 Tennessee, AR.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$18.10 one way
$36.20 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $19.85 | $39.71 |
| premium | $4.61 | $21.49 | $42.98 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $26.30 | $52.61 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35.5 | 0 | $12.43 | $5.68 |
| Efficient EV | 29.6 | 0 | $10.36 | $4.74 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 47.4 | 0 | $16.58 | $7.58 |
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Hot Springs on Sunday
Local time
4:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Destination
Afternoon in Tennessee on Sunday
Local time
4:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°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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