Origin
Kentucky, AR
Morning in Kentucky on Friday
Local time
6:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Kentucky, AR to Des Arc, AR
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 45m
Distance
86.6 mi
139 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 37m
★
6 AM
1h 45m
8 AM
2h 1m
10 AM
1h 51m
12 PM
1h 49m
3 PM
1h 51m
5 PM
2h 0m
8 PM
1h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kentucky, AR
Owen.outdoors
Des Arc, AR
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Kentucky, AR to Des Arc, AR covers 86.6 miles and takes about 1h 45m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 40, I 30, AR 11 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 33.6 miles on I 40. At current regular gas prices, budget about $13.08 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
43.3 miles from Kentucky, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 53m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 45m. Total distance: 86.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 45m highway drive covering 86.6 miles, with most of the trip on I 40 and I 30. The longest continuous stretch is about 33.6 miles on I 40.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 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 33.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 30. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 5.9 miles in.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 86.6 miles you will encounter 12 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 5.9 miles: Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 26.7 miles (I 440 / East Belt Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
5.9 mi into trip
|
~10m in
Turn sharp left
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
6
26.7 mi into trip
|
~34m in
|
I 440 / East Belt Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 440 / East Belt Freeway toward I 440 East: Little Rock Airport, Little Rock River Port, Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 440 East: Little Rock Airport, Little...
6
36.7 mi into trip
|
~45m in
Take the exit toward I 40: Memphis, Fort Smith
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 40: Memphis, Fort Smith
5
37 mi into trip
|
~46m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 40 East: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 40 East: Memphis
5
71 mi into trip
|
~1h 21m in
Take the exit toward AR 11, US 63: Hazen, Des Arc
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward AR 11, US 63: Hazen, Des Arc
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Kentucky, AR and Des Arc, AR, road signs point toward Little Rock River Port, Memphis and Fort Smith.
Little Rock River Port
26.7 mi in
|
~34m
|
via I 440
Memphis
26.7 mi in
|
~34m
|
via I 440
Fort Smith
36.7 mi in
|
~45m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 33.6 mi | 33m |
| I 30 | 20.3 mi | 22m |
| AR 11 | 13.4 mi | 19m |
| East Belt Freeway | 10 mi | 11m |
| Old Hot Springs Highway | 5.5 mi | 9m |
| AR 38 | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| AR 35 | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| North 5th Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 33.6 mi, about 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kentucky, AR and Des Arc, AR.
1
Start on AR 5
5.5 mi
·
9 min
·
Old Hot Springs Highway
2
Continue on AR 35
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
·
AR 35
3
Turn sharp left
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
4
Turn straight onto AR 5
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
I-30 Frontage Road
5
Take the ramp
516 ft
·
12 sec
6
Merge onto I 30; US 67; US 70
20 mi
·
22 min
·
I 30; US 67; US 70
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 440
10 mi
·
11 min
·
East Belt Freeway
Toward I 440 East: Little Rock Airport, Little Rock River Port, Memphis
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward I 40: Memphis, Fort Smith
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 40 East: Memphis
10
Merge onto I 40
34 mi
·
33 min
·
I 40
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward AR 11, US 63: Hazen, Des Arc
12
Turn left onto US 63
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
·
US 63
13
Continue on AR 11
13 mi
·
19 min
·
AR 11
14
Turn straight onto AR 11; AR 38
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
AR 11; AR 38
15
Turn right onto North 5th Street
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
·
North 5th Street
16
Turn left onto AR 323
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
·
Main Street
17
Turn left onto North 3rd
36 ft
·
1 sec
·
North 3rd
18
Arrive at destination
North 3rd
Trip Plan
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 43.3 miles from Kentucky, AR, or about 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 33.6 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 19 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.3 miles or 53m 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 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Des Arc, AR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Kentucky, AR so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Kentucky, AR
This is one driving day of about 86.6 miles and 1h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Kentucky, AR.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 33.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 43.3 mi from Kentucky, AR · 53m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
43 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 43.3 miles from Kentucky, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Des Arc, AR
The final approach into Des Arc, AR usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.08 one way
$26.16 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
30 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $14.36 | $28.71 |
| premium | $4.56 | $15.54 | $31.09 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $19.12 | $38.24 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 26 | 0 | $9.09 | $4.16 |
| Efficient EV | 21.7 | 0 | $7.58 | $3.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 34.6 | 0 | $12.12 | $5.54 |
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Des Arc, AR
Morning in Des Arc on Friday
Local time
6:56 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
1 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 45m 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 Kentucky, AR to Des Arc, AR covers 86.6 miles and takes about 1h 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, I 30, AR 11. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 43.3 miles from Kentucky, AR. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.08 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 86.6 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.9 miles: Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 26.7 miles (I 440 / East Belt Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Kentucky, AR and Des Arc, AR, road signs point toward Little Rock River Port, Memphis and Fort Smith.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
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