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Create accountDrive Time
4h 1m
Distance
218.6 mi
352 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
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.
If you are planning a trip from Jonesboro to Tennessee, Arkansas, expect a straightforward journey spanning 218.6 miles. You should budget approximately 4 hours and 1 minute of pure drive time, making this a manageable excursion for a single day. With fuel costs estimated at around $33, the trip is quite economical for a solo traveler or a small group. Since the route stays entirely within the southeast region of Arkansas, you will experience a consistent environment throughout the drive. It is a highway-focused itinerary that prioritizes efficiency over meandering backroads, ideal for those who prefer to reach their destination without unnecessary detours. Given the duration, you can easily complete this drive in one go, though planning for one stop will help keep you refreshed.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
109.3 miles from Jonesboro, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 57m into the drive .
This 218.6-mile route is defined by its reliance on major transit corridors, with 94% of your time spent on highways. You will primarily navigate via I-57, I-530, and Highway 530, which provide a fast-paced environment for most of the trip. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 102.7 miles on I-57, so prepare for a significant period of steady, high-speed travel. Because the drive is heavily highway-focused, you can expect a consistent, predictable road surface that allows for steady progress. While the landscape remains familiar, the transition between interstate segments and Highway 530 creates a functional shift in your driving pace as you approach your destination.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
282 ft
Total Descent
370 ft
Highest Point
378 ft
~209.5 mi in
Elevation Range
155 ft
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and I 530. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 21.5 miles in.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 218.6 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 21.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 125.5 miles (US 167): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 130.4 miles (I 530; US 65; US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
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 left at fork onto I 530; US 65; US 167
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Jonesboro, AR to Tennessee, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Monticello along the way.
Monticello
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 57 | 102.7 mi | 1h 45m |
| I 530 | 43.9 mi | 45m |
| Highway 530 | 22.9 mi | 26m |
| US 425 | 15.7 mi | 20m |
| US 78 | 12.5 mi | 14m |
| Southwest Drive | 7.4 mi | 8m |
| US 167 | 4.9 mi | 6m |
| West Gaines Avenue | 2.6 mi | 4m |
Step-by-step road directions between Jonesboro, AR and Tennessee, AR.
Start on this road
Turn right onto Cate Avenue
Turn left onto Union Street
Turn left onto West Oak Avenue
Turn right onto South Main Street
Continue on AR 18
Continue on US 78; AR 226
Take the exit
Merge onto I 57
Merge onto I 40; US 167
Take the exit onto US 167
Keep slight left at fork onto I 530; US 65; US 167
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
To make the most of this four-hour drive, try to depart early in the morning to avoid any potential congestion during peak transit hours. Since the trip includes one planned stop, use that break strategically to refuel and stretch your legs, especially given the long 102.7-mile stretch on I-57. Because the fuel cost is approximately $33, you may find it helpful to fill up before hitting the interstate to maximize your efficiency. Keep an eye on your navigation as you transition from the interstate segments onto Highway 530, as this is where your driving environment will change the most. Having this flexibility allows you to customize your pace, ensuring you arrive in Tennessee, Arkansas, feeling ready for your next activity.
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 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 109.3 miles or 1h 57m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tennessee, AR than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Jonesboro, 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 Jonesboro, AR
This is one driving day of about 218.6 miles and 4h 1m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 109.3 mi from Jonesboro, AR · 1h 57m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
109 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 109.3 miles from Jonesboro, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 57 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 102.7 miles.
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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$33.42 one way
$66.84 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $36.65 | $73.31 |
| premium | $4.61 | $39.68 | $79.35 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $48.57 | $97.13 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 65.6 | 0 | $22.95 | $10.49 |
| Efficient EV | 54.7 | 0 | $19.13 | $8.74 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 87.4 | 1 | $30.60 | $13.99 |
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jonesboro on Sunday
Local time
4:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Mostly Sunny
Destination
Afternoon in Tennessee on Sunday
Local time
4:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
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
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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