Skip to main content

Trip from Kentucky, AR to Flippin, AR

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 41m

Distance

158.9 mi

256 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$24

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
3h 29m ★
6 AM
3h 42m
8 AM
4h 7m
10 AM
3h 51m
12 PM
3h 48m
3 PM
3h 52m
5 PM
4h 6m
8 PM
3h 34m

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

Downtown Kentucky, AR, AR

Kentucky, AR

Owen.outdoors

Downtown Flippin, AR, AR

Flippin, AR

Md Jawadur Rahman

Trip Overview

The drive from Kentucky, AR to Flippin, AR covers 158.9 miles and takes about 3h 41m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 65, State Highway 14, US Highway 65 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 26.6 miles on US 65. At current regular gas prices, budget about $24.00 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.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

79.4 miles from Kentucky, AR

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 39m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 41m. Total distance: 158.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 3h 41m highway drive covering 158.9 miles, with most of the trip on US 65 and State Highway 14. The longest continuous stretch is about 26.6 miles on US 65.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 65 is the longest continuous segment at about 26.6 miles.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

1,451 ft 300 ft

Total Climb

1,946 ft

Total Descent

1,650 ft

Highest Point

1,451 ft

~102.1 mi in

Elevation Range

1,151 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 65 and State Highway 14. You will hit about 14 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 158.9 miles you will encounter 14 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 18.1 miles (US 70): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 31.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 14 key points

These 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

8
18.1 mi into trip | ~24m in | US 70

Take the exit onto US 70 toward I 430 North, US 70: Fort Smith

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 129 Toward I 430 North, US 70: Fort Smith
7
31.2 mi into trip | ~39m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 40 West: Fort Smith, Oklahoma City

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 13B Toward I 40 West: Fort Smith, Oklahoma City
5
31.9 mi into trip | ~40m in | I 40; US 65

Merge onto I 40; US 65

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
152.3 mi into trip | ~3h 32m in | US 62; US 412

At end of road, turn right onto US 62; US 412

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Kentucky, AR to Flippin, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Oklahoma City along the way.

Oklahoma City

31.2 mi in | ~39m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 65 26.6 mi 36m
State Highway 14 23.5 mi 41m
US Highway 65 23.1 mi 31m
I 40 21.7 mi 21m
US 70 13.1 mi 15m
South Broadview Street 11.8 mi 16m
I 30 11.7 mi 12m
AR 27 10.6 mi 18m
Longest stretch: US 65 — 26.6 mi, about 36m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Kentucky, AR and Flippin, 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

12 mi · 12 min · I 30; US 67; US 70
7

Take the exit onto US 70

13 mi · 15 min · US 70
Exit 129 Toward I 430 North, US 70: Fort Smith Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight left at fork

0.7 mi · 49 sec
Exit 13B Toward I 40 West: Fort Smith, Oklahoma City
9

Merge onto I 40; US 65

22 mi · 21 min · I 40; US 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit onto US 65

0.4 mi · 50 sec · US 65
Toward US 65 North, US 65B South
11

Merge onto US 65

1.3 mi · 2 min · Skyline Drive
12

Continue on US 65

3.2 mi · 4 min · US Highway 65
13

Continue on US 65

12 mi · 16 min · South Broadview Street
14

Continue on US 65

1.5 mi · 1 min · US Highway 65
15

Continue on US 65

0.7 mi · 56 sec · North Broadview Street
16

Continue on US 65

1.1 mi · 1 min · South Broadway
17

Continue on US 65; Hwy 124

18 mi · 25 min · US Highway 65
18

Continue on US 65; AR 9; AR 16

26 mi · 36 min · US 65; AR 9; AR 16
19

Take the exit

208 ft · 5 sec
20

Turn straight onto AR 27

11 mi · 18 min · AR 27
21

Continue on AR 14

24 mi · 41 min · State Highway 14
22

At end of road, turn right onto US 62; US 412

4.9 mi · 5 min · US 62; US 412
Use the left lane.
23

Turn left onto AR 178

1.4 mi · 2 min · AR 178
Use the left lane.
24

Turn right onto East Main Street

0.2 mi · 28 sec · East Main Street
25

Turn left onto North 3rd Street

442 ft · 26 sec · North 3rd Street
26

Turn left onto Girard Street

32 ft · 1 sec · Girard Street
27

Arrive at destination

Girard Street

Trip Plan

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 79.4 miles from Kentucky, AR, or about 1h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 26.6 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 35 miles or 43m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 79.4 miles or 1h 39m 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 54m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Flippin, 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.

+

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 Kentucky, AR

This is one driving day of about 158.9 miles and 3h 41m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Kentucky, AR.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 65 for about 26.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 79.4 mi from Kentucky, AR · 1h 39m into the drive

city in Arkansas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Clinton, AR

79 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

Maumelle, AR

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Austin, AR

Meal break

The midpoint is around 79.4 miles from Kentucky, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Flippin, AR

The final approach into Flippin, 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 Flippin, 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

$24.00 one way

$48.00 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 56 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $26.34 $52.69
premium $4.56 $28.52 $57.04
diesel $5.61 $35.08 $70.17

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$24

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$49–$74

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 55.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 47.7 0 $16.68 $7.63
Efficient EV 39.7 0 $13.90 $6.36
EV Truck/SUV 63.6 0 $22.25 $10.17

Gas CO2

56 kg

EV CO2

19 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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Kentucky, AR

Morning in Kentucky on Friday

Local time

7:33 AM

CDT

Current temp

76°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Flippin, AR

Morning in Flippin on Friday

Local time

7:33 AM

CDT

Current temp

77°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

75°F

Clinton, AR

79 mi in

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

3h 41m 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 Flippin, AR covers 158.9 miles and takes about 3h 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are US 65, State Highway 14, US Highway 65. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 79.4 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 $24.00 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 158.9 miles you will encounter 14 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 18.1 miles (US 70): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 31.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

On the drive from Kentucky, AR to Flippin, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Oklahoma City along the way.

Gently rolling terrain. The route ranges from 300 ft to 1,451 ft elevation with about 1,946 ft of total climbing.

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. Elevation is sampled from USGS 3DEP. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Return Trip

Flippin, AR to Kentucky, AR

Plan the drive back the other way.

158.2 mi 3h 40m

Explore more options from Kentucky, AR or browse trips ending in Flippin, AR.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AR road trips.