Origin
Hughes, AR
Late night in Hughes on Friday
Local time
12:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology
Drive Time
2h 16m
Distance
116.2 mi
187 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hughes, AR
ARMAN ALCORDO JR.
Little Rock, AR
Wikimedia Commons
This 116.2-mile drive from Hughes to Little Rock, Arkansas, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking about 2 hours and 16 minutes. The route primarily utilizes I-40, making it a highway-focused experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $18, it's an economical option for exploring the Southeast region of Arkansas. This straightforward journey offers a practical way to travel between these two points without needing an overnight stop, allowing for flexibility in your schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
58.1 miles from Hughes, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 13m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 16m. Total distance: 116.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Straightforward navigation.
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive, with 85% of the journey on major roadways like I-40. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 93.1 miles on I-40, which means consistent speeds and minimal distractions. While the bulk of the trip is on the interstate, you'll also navigate local roads such as Main Street and AR 50, offering a slight change of pace before merging back onto faster routes. This blend provides a predictable driving experience with brief moments on smaller roads.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Main Street. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Cowan Street North.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 16m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Cowan Street North): Navigation decision point; at 12 miles (AR 50): Navigation decision point; at 19 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto Cowan Street North
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto AR 50
Navigation decision point
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit onto US 167 toward I 30 West, US 65 South, US 67 South, US 167 South: Little Rock
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn sharp left
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 93.1 mi | 1h 34m |
| Main Street | 11.9 mi | 20m |
| AR 50 | 4.2 mi | 7m |
| North Jefferson Street | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| US 167 | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| West 3rd Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Broadway Bridge | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| East 7th Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Hughes, AR and Little Rock, AR.
Start on Jeff Davis Street
Turn right onto Cowan Street North
Turn right onto AR 38
Turn left onto AR 50
Turn right onto AR 50
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 40
Take the exit onto US 167
Take the exit
Turn right onto East 7th Street
Turn straight onto West 7th Street
Continue on North Broadway Street
Continue on US 70
Continue on US 70
Turn right onto West 3rd Street
Turn left onto State Capitol
Continue on State Capitol
Continue on State Capitol
Turn sharp left
Arrive at destination
Given the 2-hour duration, this trip is ideal for a single day, allowing you to depart at your convenience. You can easily complete the 116.2 miles without needing to split the journey. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the longest stretch on I-40 is over 93 miles, and plan a brief stop if needed. The $18 fuel cost is an estimate, so factoring in a little extra is always wise. Since this is a relatively short drive, you have the flexibility to make spontaneous stops along the way if something 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.
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 26 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58.1 miles or 1h 13m 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 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Little Rock, AR than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Hughes, 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 Hughes, AR
This is one driving day of about 116.2 miles and 2h 16m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 58.1 mi from Hughes, AR · 1h 13m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
58 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 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 58.1 miles from Hughes, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 93.1 miles.
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
$17.55 one way
$35.10 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $19.26 | $38.53 |
| premium | $4.56 | $20.86 | $41.71 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $25.66 | $51.31 |
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: 40.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 34.9 | 0 | $12.20 | $5.58 |
| Efficient EV | 29.1 | 0 | $10.17 | $4.65 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 46.5 | 0 | $16.27 | $7.44 |
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
Late night in Hughes on Friday
Local time
12:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Little Rock on Friday
Local time
12:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°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
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
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.
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