Origin
Magnolia, AR
Evening in Magnolia on Tuesday
Local time
8:28 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
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Drive Time
2h 48m
Distance
140.4 mi
226 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
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.
Magnolia, AR
Wikimedia Commons
Little Rock, AR
Wikimedia Commons
This straightforward 140.4-mile drive from Magnolia to Little Rock, Arkansas, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 48 minutes. Your journey will primarily follow I-30, with some initial sections on US-371 and Rosston Highway. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $21, making it an economical option. This highway-focused drive offers a direct path through the Southeast region of Arkansas, connecting two points within the state. It's a practical choice if you need to get from point A to point B efficiently.
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
70.2 miles from Magnolia, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 34m into the drive .
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Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience, with 80% of the route utilizing major roadways like I-30. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 93 miles on I-30, allowing for consistent speed and minimal distractions. The initial parts of the drive might involve navigating some local roads before merging onto the interstate. Overall, the road's personality is one of efficiency and forward momentum, designed for covering distance rather than leisurely sightseeing.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 30 and US 371. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Main Street.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 2h 48m drive. You will face about 16 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (West Main Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 0.1 miles (West Main Street): Navigation decision point.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto East Main Street
Navigation decision point
Enter roundabout onto West Main Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Right onto West Main Street
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto West 7th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto State Capitol
Navigation decision point
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 30 | 93 mi | 1h 36m |
| US 371 | 17.9 mi | 26m |
| Rosston Highway | 15.8 mi | 23m |
| North Vine Street | 7.2 mi | 10m |
| West Main Street | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| Wilbur D. Mills Freeway | 1.4 mi | 1m |
| Rosston Road | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| West 1st Street South | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Magnolia, AR and Little Rock, AR.
Start on US 79B; AR 19
Turn left onto East Main Street
Enter roundabout onto West Main Street
Continue on West Main Street
Turn right onto US 371
Turn right onto US 371
Turn right onto US 371
Continue on US 371
At end of road, turn left onto US 67; US 371
Turn left onto US 371
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 30
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30; US 67
Continue on I 30; US 65; US 67; US 167
Take the exit
Continue on I 630
Take the exit
Turn right onto Dr Martin Luther King Drive
Turn left onto West 7th Street
Turn right onto State Capitol
Turn slight right
Arrive at destination
Given its 2 hour and 48-minute duration, this route works well for a single-day trip, allowing for a flexible departure time. Aim to leave in the morning to maximize your daylight hours and ensure you have ample time for any unexpected delays. The longest stretch of 93 miles on I-30 means you can consolidate your fuel and rest stops. Consider making your primary stop around the halfway point or slightly beyond to break up the drive effectively. Keep an eye on traffic as you approach Little Rock, as congestion can increase during peak hours.
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.
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 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 70.2 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 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Little Rock, AR than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Magnolia, 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 Magnolia, AR
This is one driving day of about 140.4 miles and 2h 48m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 70.2 mi from Magnolia, AR · 1h 34m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
70 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 70.2 miles from Magnolia, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 30 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 93 miles.
The final approach into Little Rock, 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 Little Rock, AR.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$21.20 one way
$42.41 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $23.28 | $46.55 |
| premium | $4.56 | $25.20 | $50.40 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $31.00 | $62.00 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 49.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 42.1 | 0 | $14.74 | $6.74 |
| Efficient EV | 35.1 | 0 | $12.29 | $5.62 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 56.2 | 0 | $19.66 | $8.99 |
Gas CO2
49 kg
EV CO2
16 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Magnolia on Tuesday
Local time
8:28 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in Little Rock on Tuesday
Local time
8:28 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
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
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
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.
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