Origin
Jacksonville, AR
Evening in Jacksonville on Sunday
Local time
6:21 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
3h 5m
Distance
153.1 mi
246 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
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.
Jacksonville, AR
Mike Jones
Magnolia, AR
Christina & Peter
Traveling from Jacksonville to Magnolia, Arkansas, covers a 153.1-mile stretch that typically takes about 3 hours and 5 minutes behind the wheel. Because this is a relatively straightforward drive through the state’s Southeast region, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip without the need for an overnight stay. You can expect to spend roughly $23 on fuel for the journey, making it a budget-friendly option for your itinerary. The route relies primarily on a combination of I-30, US 278, and US 371 to get you to your destination efficiently. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick getaway, this drive offers a reliable path across the Arkansas landscape.
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
76.5 miles from Jacksonville, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 25m into the drive .
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 92% of your travel occurring on major thoroughfares. You will spend the bulk of your time on I-30, which accounts for a 91.7-mile stretch of the journey. Expect a steady, high-speed pace for the majority of the drive as you navigate these primary arteries. Transitioning from the interstate onto US 278 and US 371 will shift the driving experience from a wide-lane grind to a more standard regional highway feel. While the interstate portion allows for consistent cruising, remain attentive as the road transitions through the final segments of the route.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 30 and US 278. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West Hickory Street.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h 5m drive. You will face about 18 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 (West Hickory Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (North 2nd Street): Navigation decision point; at 11.1 miles (US 167): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto West Hickory Street
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto North 2nd Street
Navigation decision point
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
Keep slight right at fork onto I 30; US 67 toward Texarkana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Enter roundabout onto East Main Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
On the drive from Jacksonville, AR to Magnolia, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Texarkana along the way.
Texarkana
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 30 | 91.7 mi | 1h 34m |
| US 278 | 17.9 mi | 26m |
| US 371 | 17 mi | 25m |
| I 57 | 8.8 mi | 9m |
| East McKissack | 7.2 mi | 10m |
| US 167 | 4.9 mi | 6m |
| Delight Highway | 2.4 mi | 4m |
| West Main Street | 1.1 mi | 3m |
Step-by-step road directions between Jacksonville, AR and Magnolia, AR.
Start on AR 161
Turn left onto West Hickory Street
Turn left onto North 2nd Street
Turn right onto West Main Street
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 57; US 167
Merge onto I 40; US 167
Take the exit onto US 167
Keep slight right at fork onto I 30; US 67
Continue on I 30; US 70
Take the exit
Turn left onto AR 19
Turn right onto US 67; US 371
Turn right onto US 371
At end of road, turn left onto US 278; US 371
Turn left onto US 371
Turn left onto West Main Street
Enter roundabout onto East Main Street
Continue on East Main Street
Turn right onto US 79B; AR 19
Arrive at destination
To make the most of your 3-hour journey, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Since this is a manageable drive, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best, though leaving mid-morning can help you avoid any potential peak traffic on the interstate segments. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the final leg on US 371, as services may become less frequent compared to the I-30 corridor. Having your $23 fuel budget set aside before you start will keep your travel logistics simple. Use the longest stretch on I-30 to settle into a comfortable rhythm, but stay alert for the transition onto the secondary highways as you approach Magnolia.
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.
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 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.5 miles or 1h 25m 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 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Magnolia, AR than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Jacksonville, 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 Jacksonville, AR
This is one driving day of about 153.1 miles and 3h 5m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 76.5 mi from Jacksonville, AR · 1h 25m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
77 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 76.5 miles from Jacksonville, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 30 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 91.7 miles.
The final approach into Magnolia, 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 Magnolia, AR.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$23.41 one way
$46.81 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $25.67 | $51.34 |
| premium | $4.61 | $27.79 | $55.57 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $34.01 | $68.03 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 45.9 | 0 | $16.08 | $7.35 |
| Efficient EV | 38.3 | 0 | $13.40 | $6.12 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 61.2 | 0 | $21.43 | $9.80 |
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Jacksonville on Sunday
Local time
6:21 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in Magnolia on Sunday
Local time
6:21 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
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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