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Trip from Johnson, AR to Little Rock, AR

Data updated 0 seconds ago

Drive Time

2h 14m

Distance

115.3 mi

186 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$17

one way

EV Charging

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station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 28 min
4 AM
2h 5m ★
6 AM
2h 15m
8 AM
2h 33m
10 AM
2h 21m
12 PM
2h 19m
3 PM
2h 22m
5 PM
2h 32m
8 PM
2h 9m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

city in Washington County, Arkansas, USA

Johnson, AR

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Little Rock, AR, AR

Little Rock, AR

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 115.3-mile drive from Johnson, Arkansas, to Little Rock, Arkansas, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 14 minutes. With 89% of the journey on highways, it offers a straightforward travel experience. You can expect a fuel cost of around $17 for this route, making it an economical option. The drive remains within the Southeast region, providing a consistent regional feel. This route is ideal if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without extensive planning, fitting perfectly into a day's travel.

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

57.7 miles from Johnson, AR

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 12m into the drive .

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Drive Character

The personality of this drive is predominantly highway-focused, with a significant 89% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 96.8 miles primarily on I-40. While the majority is highway, the initial and final segments may involve local roads like 5th Street and AR 197, offering a slight shift in pace before rejoining the main thoroughfare. This means you'll spend most of your time on faster-moving roads, with brief introductions to more local driving conditions.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 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 96.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and 5th Street. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 6 miles in near AR 109 / 5th Street.

Route Complexity 2/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

The drive from Johnson, AR to Little Rock, AR is easy. At 2h 14m with 89% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 6 miles (AR 109 / 5th Street): Navigation decision point; at 13.1 miles (US 64 / West Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 111.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 9 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

4
6 mi into trip | ~14m in | AR 109 / 5th Street

Turn right onto AR 109 / 5th Street

Navigation decision point

4
13.1 mi into trip | ~26m in | US 64 / West Main Street

Turn right onto US 64 / West Main Street

Navigation decision point

4
111.1 mi into trip | ~2h 6m in

Take the exit toward AR 365

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward AR 365
4
113.1 mi into trip | ~2h 9m in | AR 365 / West Broadway Street

Enter roundabout onto AR 365 / West Broadway Street

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

6
115.3 mi into trip | ~2h 14m in

Turn sharp left

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 40 96.8 mi 1h 37m
5th Street 6.4 mi 11m
AR 197 6 mi 14m
Pike Avenue 1.5 mi 2m
West Main Street 0.9 mi 1m
West 3rd Street 0.8 mi 1m
Sterlin Hurley Highway 0.7 mi 1m
West Broadway Street 0.5 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 40 — 96.8 mi, about 1h 37m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Johnson, AR and Little Rock, AR.

1

Start on AR 197

6.0 mi · 14 min · AR 197
2

Turn right onto AR 109

6.4 mi · 11 min · 5th Street
3

Continue on AR 109

0.7 mi · 1 min · Sterlin Hurley Highway
4

Turn right onto US 64

0.9 mi · 1 min · West Main Street
5

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 41 sec
6

Merge onto I 40

97 mi · 1 hr 37 min · I 40
7

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 22 sec
Toward AR 365
8

Turn straight onto AR 365

0.4 mi · 36 sec · Mac Arthur Drive
9

Continue on AR 365

1.5 mi · 2 min · Pike Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
10

Enter roundabout onto AR 365

289 ft · 5 sec · West Broadway Street
11

Continue on AR 365

0.4 mi · 48 sec · West Broadway Street
12

Turn right onto US 70

0.5 mi · 42 sec · Broadway Bridge
13

Continue on US 70

0.2 mi · 24 sec · Broadway Street
14

Turn right onto West 3rd Street

0.8 mi · 1 min · West 3rd Street
15

Turn left onto State Capitol

314 ft · 13 sec · State Capitol
16

Continue on State Capitol

440 ft · 20 sec · State Capitol
17

Continue on State Capitol

415 ft · 25 sec · State Capitol
18

Turn sharp left

260 ft · 19 sec
19

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short duration of just over two hours, this trip is perfectly suited for a single day, offering plenty of flexibility for departure time. You can depart in the morning and arrive in Little Rock with ample time to spare. With no designated stops recommended, you can decide on breaks as needed, though planning for at least one rest stop during the 96.8-mile stretch on I-40 is advisable. Keep an eye on fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $17, and it's always wise to fill up before embarking on longer highway segments.

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 57.7 miles from Johnson, AR, or about 1h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 96.8 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 80 miles or 1h 35m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 57.7 miles or 1h 12m 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 49m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Little Rock, AR than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Johnson, 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 Johnson, AR

This is one driving day of about 115.3 miles and 2h 14m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Johnson, AR.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 96.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 57.7 mi from Johnson, AR · 1h 12m into the drive

city in Bowie County, Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Texarkana, TX

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.

Pacing Suggestions

Texarkana, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Texarkana, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 57.7 miles from Johnson, 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 96.8 miles.

Arriving in Little Rock, AR

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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$17.41 one way

$34.83 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 40 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $19.12 $38.23
premium $4.56 $20.69 $41.39
diesel $5.61 $25.46 $50.91

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$17

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$42–$67

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 40.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 34.6 0 $12.11 $5.53
Efficient EV 28.8 0 $10.09 $4.61
EV Truck/SUV 46.1 0 $16.14 $7.38

Gas CO2

40 kg

EV CO2

13 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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast data refreshed 4 hours ago

Origin

Johnson, AR

Late night in Johnson on Wednesday

Local time

5:13 AM

CDT

Current temp

77°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Little Rock, AR

Late night in Little Rock on Wednesday

Local time

5:13 AM

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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

2h 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 Johnson, AR to Little Rock, AR covers 115.3 miles and takes about 2h 14m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, 5th Street, AR 197. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 57.7 miles from Johnson, AR. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $17.41 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
The drive from Johnson, AR to Little Rock, AR is easy. At 2h 14m with 89% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 6 miles (AR 109 / 5th Street): Navigation decision point; at 13.1 miles (US 64 / West Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 111.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
The route from Johnson, AR to Little Rock, AR does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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