Origin
Little Rock, AR
Evening in Little Rock on Sunday
Local time
5:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Little Rock, AR to Hot Springs, AR
Drive Time
1h 7m
Distance
55.1 mi
89 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 2m
★
6 AM
1h 7m
8 AM
1h 18m
10 AM
1h 11m
12 PM
1h 10m
3 PM
1h 12m
5 PM
1h 18m
8 PM
1h 4m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hot Springs, AR
Siarhei Nester
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick getaway from Little Rock to Hot Springs, you are looking at a straightforward 55.1-mile drive that typically takes about 1 hour and 7 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, allowing you to head out in the morning and reach your destination with ease. Budgeting roughly $8 for fuel covers the trip, making it an incredibly economical choice for a weekend escape. Since both cities are located within the Southeast region of Arkansas, you won't experience a major change in climate or geography. Whether you need a brief change of scenery or a quick trip for business, this path offers a hassle-free connection between the two hubs.
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
27.5 miles from Little Rock, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 33m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highly efficient journey, as 98% of this drive is spent on highways. You will primarily navigate via I-30 and US-70, utilizing the Wilbur D. Mills Freeway to get out of the city quickly. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 28.2 miles on I-30, which allows for consistent cruising speeds before you transition onto the secondary highway segments. Because the route is so highway-focused, it feels more like a direct transit than a winding scenic tour. You can anticipate a steady, predictable experience behind the wheel that prioritizes speed and convenience over technical driving maneuvers.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 30 is the longest continuous segment at about 28.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 30 and US 70. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near State Capitol.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 55.1 miles you will encounter 11 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 0.1 miles (State Capitol): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 0.3 miles (West 7th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
State Capitol
Turn sharp left onto State Capitol
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
5
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
West 7th Street
Turn left onto West 7th Street
Navigation decision point
7
0.5 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
2.1 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 30 West: Texarkana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 139B
Toward I 30 West: Texarkana
8
3.5 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
I 30; US 67
Keep slight right at fork onto I 30; US 67 toward Texarkana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 138
Toward Texarkana
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Little Rock, AR to Hot Springs, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Texarkana along the way.
Texarkana
3.5 mi in
|
~6m
|
via I 30; US 67
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 30 | 28.2 mi | 31m |
| US 70 | 24.6 mi | 31m |
| Wilbur D. Mills Freeway | 1.4 mi | 1m |
| State Capitol | 0.2 mi | 1m |
| Dr Martin Luther King Drive | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| West 7th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Capitol Mall | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| West Grand Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
I 30
— 28.2 mi, about 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Little Rock, AR and Hot Springs, AR.
1
Start on this road
385 ft
·
35 sec
·
this road
2
Turn sharp left onto State Capitol
361 ft
·
16 sec
·
State Capitol
3
Continue on State Capitol
528 ft
·
23 sec
·
State Capitol
4
Turn left onto Capitol Mall
116 ft
·
7 sec
·
Capitol Mall
5
Turn right onto State Capitol
387 ft
·
22 sec
·
State Capitol
6
Turn left onto West 7th Street
286 ft
·
13 sec
·
West 7th Street
7
Turn right onto Dr Martin Luther King Drive
473 ft
·
21 sec
·
Dr Martin Luther King Drive
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Use the left lane.
9
Merge onto I 630
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Wilbur D. Mills Freeway
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Exit 139B
Toward I 30 West: Texarkana
11
Merge onto I 30; US 65; US 67; US 167
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
I 30; US 65; US 67; US 167
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 30; US 67
24 mi
·
26 min
·
I 30; US 67
Exit 138
Toward Texarkana
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 30; US 70
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
I 30; US 70
14
Take the exit onto US 70
25 mi
·
31 min
·
US 70
Toward US-70 West: Hot Springs
15
Arrive at destination
US 70B; US 270B
Trip Plan
Since this is a short trip with no required stops, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best. You won't need to worry about planning for long-distance fatigue, but keeping an eye on traffic near the Wilbur D. Mills Freeway can help you avoid unnecessary delays. Given the $8 fuel estimate, topping off your tank in Little Rock before you depart is a smart way to ensure you don't have to think about gas until you reach your final destination. Because the total duration is just over an hour, consider using this time to plan your arrival rather than scheduling mid-trip breaks. This simplicity is the route's greatest advantage, letting you maximize your time at the destination.
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 27.5 miles from Little Rock, AR, or about 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 28.2 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 55.1 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 27.5 miles or 33m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hot Springs, AR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Little Rock, 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 Little Rock, AR
This is one driving day of about 55.1 miles and 1h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Little Rock, 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 30 for about 28.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 27.5 mi from Little Rock, AR · 33m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
28 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 55.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 27.5 miles from Little Rock, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Hot Springs, AR
The final approach into Hot Springs, 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 Hot Springs, 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
$8.42 one way
$16.85 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
19 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $9.24 | $18.48 |
| premium | $4.61 | $10.00 | $20.00 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $12.24 | $24.48 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$33–$58
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 19.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 16.5 | 0 | $5.79 | $2.64 |
| Efficient EV | 13.8 | 0 | $4.82 | $2.20 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 22 | 0 | $7.71 | $3.53 |
Gas CO2
19 kg
EV CO2
6 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.
Destination
Hot Springs, AR
Evening in Hot Springs on Sunday
Local time
5:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
59°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
2 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 7m 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 Little Rock, AR to Hot Springs, AR covers 55.1 miles and takes about 1h 7m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 30, US 70, Wilbur D. Mills Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 27.5 miles from Little Rock, AR. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $8.42 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 55.1 miles you will encounter 11 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 0.1 miles (State Capitol): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 0.3 miles (West 7th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Little Rock, AR to Hot Springs, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Texarkana along the way.
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