The drive from Kentucky, AR to Yellville, AR covers 152.5 miles and takes about 3h 32m 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 $23.03 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
76.3 miles from Kentucky, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 34m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 32m. Total distance: 152.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 3h 32m highway drive covering 152.5 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 23 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.
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 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 5.9 miles in.
Driving Effort5/10
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 152.5 miles you will encounter 10 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 10 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.
5
53.5 mi into trip|~1h 2m in|US 65
Take the exit onto US 65 toward US 65 North, US 65B South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 65 North, US 65B South
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 Yellville, 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 Yellville, 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 129Toward I 430 North, US 70: Fort SmithUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·49 sec
Exit 13BToward 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 left onto US 62; US 412; AR 14
0.3 mi·19 sec·US 62; US 412; AR 14
23
Arrive at destination
US 62; US 412
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 76.3 miles from Kentucky, AR, or about 1h 34m 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 34 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.3 miles or 1h 34m 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 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Yellville, 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 152.5 miles and 3h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 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 76.3 mi from Kentucky, AR
· 1h 34m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Hot Springs National Park
National Park
Hot Springs National Park has a rich cultural past. The grand architecture of our historic bathhouses is equally matched by the natural curiosities that have been drawing people here for hundreds of y...
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
45.8
0
$16.01
$7.32
Efficient EV
38.1
0
$13.34
$6.10
EV Truck/SUV
61
0
$21.35
$9.76
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 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 Saturday
Local time
10:49 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Yellville, AR
Morning
in Yellville on Saturday
Local time
10:49 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
75°F
Clinton, AR
76 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 32m 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 Yellville, AR covers 152.5 miles and takes about 3h 32m 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 76.3 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 $23.03 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 152.5 miles you will encounter 10 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 Yellville, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Oklahoma City along the way.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
