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Trip from Malvern, AR to Springdale, AR

Data updated 1 hour ago

Drive Time

3h 57m

Distance

212.7 mi

342 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$32

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
3h 45m ★
6 AM
3h 58m
8 AM
4h 24m
10 AM
4h 7m
12 PM
4h 4m
3 PM
4h 8m
5 PM
4h 22m
8 PM
3h 50m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in and county seat of Hot Spring County, Arkansas, United States

Malvern, AR

Wikimedia Commons

city in Washington County, Arkansas, United States

Springdale, AR

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 212.7-mile drive from Malvern, Arkansas, to Springdale, Arkansas, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 3 hours and 57 minutes. The route relies heavily on major interstates, with 76% of your travel on highways, making it efficient for covering ground. With an estimated fuel cost of $32, this trip is budget-friendly for a day excursion. You'll be navigating primarily on I-40 and I-49, with a brief stretch on AR-7, offering a consistent driving experience as you traverse within the Southeast region of Arkansas. This is a practical option for a quick trip between these two Arkansas cities.

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

106.4 miles from Malvern, AR

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 4m into the drive .

Loading map...

Drive Character

Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 76% of the 212.7 miles covered on high-speed roads like I-40 and I-49. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 64.8 miles on I-40, meaning extended periods of consistent driving without frequent exits. While AR-7 offers a change of pace, the overall character is one of efficient travel. This isn't a winding, scenic byway, but rather a direct path designed for covering distance smoothly. You'll experience the rhythm of interstate driving for the majority of your 3 hour and 57 minute journey.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 32 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 64.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 49. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.

Route Complexity 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

This is a straightforward 3h 57m 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: Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (US 270B / South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 23.6 miles (AR 7): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 16 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in

Turn right

Navigation decision point

4
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 270B / South Main Street

Turn left onto US 270B / South Main Street

Navigation decision point

5
23.6 mi into trip | ~28m in | AR 7

Enter roundabout onto AR 7

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

6
93.5 mi into trip | ~1h 50m in

Take the ramp toward I-40

Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch

Exit 78 Toward I-40
8
205.3 mi into trip | ~3h 44m in | US 71B / Fulbright Expressway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 71B / Fulbright Expressway toward US 71B: Fayetteville Business District

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 67B Toward US 71B: Fayetteville Business District

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 40 64.8 mi 1h 4m
I 49 46.4 mi 47m
AR 7 45.1 mi 51m
4th Street 14.4 mi 16m
Martin Luther King Road 12.7 mi 14m
Hot Springs Bypass 5.9 mi 6m
Union Street 4.9 mi 5m
West Main Street 4.6 mi 7m
Longest stretch: I 40 — 64.8 mi, about 1h 4m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Malvern, AR and Springdale, AR.

1

Start on this road

206 ft · 17 sec · this road
2

Turn right

79 ft · 11 sec
3

Turn left onto US 270B

0.6 mi · 53 sec · South Main Street
4

Continue on US 270B

1.3 mi · 2 min · Martin Luther King Boulevard
5

Continue on US 270B

0.4 mi · 37 sec · Oliver Lancaster Boulevard
6

Continue on US 270B

13 mi · 14 min · Martin Luther King Road
7

Continue on US 270

0.5 mi · 33 sec · Malvern Avenue
8

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec
9

Merge onto US 70

2.0 mi · 2 min · Doctor Martin Luther King, Junior Expressway
10

Continue on Hot Springs Bypass

5.9 mi · 6 min · Hot Springs Bypass
11

Enter roundabout onto AR 7

185 ft · 2 sec · AR 7
12

Continue on AR 7

45 mi · 50 min · AR 7
13

At end of road, turn right onto AR 7

0.2 mi · 20 sec · AR 7
14

At end of road, turn left onto AR 7; AR 10

0.3 mi · 23 sec · South Scenic 7 Drive
15

Continue on AR 7

14 mi · 16 min · 4th Street
16

Continue on AR 7

0.2 mi · 15 sec · North State Highway 7
17

Continue on AR 22

374 ft · 9 sec · AR 22
18

Turn right onto AR 7

4.9 mi · 5 min · Union Street
19

Turn left onto US 64

3.1 mi · 4 min · West Main Street
20

Continue on US 64

1.5 mi · 2 min · West Main Street
21

Turn right onto Mission Road

0.2 mi · 22 sec · Mission Road
22

Continue on Lakewood Drive

367 ft · 9 sec · Lakewood Drive
23

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 38 sec
Exit 78 Toward I-40
24

Merge onto I 40

65 mi · 1 hr 4 min · I 40
25

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 48 sec
Toward I 49 North: Fayetteville
26

Continue on I 49

46 mi · 47 min · I 49
Use the slight right lane.
27

Keep slight right at fork onto US 71B

2.2 mi · 2 min · Fulbright Expressway
Exit 67B Toward US 71B: Fayetteville Business District Use the slight right lane.
28

Continue on US 71B

1.3 mi · 2 min · North College Avenue
29

Continue on US 71B

3.3 mi · 5 min · South Thompson Street
30

Turn right onto West Johnson Avenue

0.6 mi · 1 min · West Johnson Avenue
31

At end of road, turn left onto North Commercial Street

119 ft · 5 sec · North Commercial Street
32

Arrive at destination

North Commercial Street

Trip Plan

Given the manageable 212.7-mile distance and 3 hour and 57 minute duration, this trip is ideal as a day trip, offering flexibility in your departure time. Aiming to leave Malvern earlier in the morning can help you avoid any potential midday traffic, especially as you approach Springdale. With a fuel cost estimated at $32, you'll want to ensure your tank is full before departing Malvern, as the longest stretch without a major exit is over 64 miles on I-40. While there's only one designated stop mentioned, it's wise to take advantage of rest areas or quick stops along I-40 or I-49 as needed to stay refreshed during your drive.

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 106.4 miles from Malvern, AR, or about 2h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 64.8 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 80 miles or 1h 32m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 106.4 miles or 2h 4m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 13m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Springdale, AR than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Malvern, 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 Malvern, AR

This is one driving day of about 212.7 miles and 3h 57m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Malvern, 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 I 40 for about 64.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 106.4 mi from Malvern, AR · 2h 4m into the drive

city in Bowie County, Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Texarkana, TX

106 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

Texarkana, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Texarkana, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 106.4 miles from Malvern, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 64.8 miles.

Arriving in Springdale, AR

The final approach into Springdale, 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 Springdale, AR.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Hot Springs National Park

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...

5 mi from route ~13 min detour Free near mile 22
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$32.12 one way

$64.25 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 74 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $35.26 $70.53
premium $4.56 $38.18 $76.35
diesel $5.61 $46.96 $93.92

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$32

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$57–$82

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 74.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 63.8 0 $22.33 $10.21
Efficient EV 53.2 0 $18.61 $8.51
EV Truck/SUV 85.1 1 $29.78 $13.61

Gas CO2

74 kg

EV CO2

25 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 data refreshed 42 minutes from now

Origin

Malvern, AR

Night in Malvern on Tuesday

Local time

11:22 PM

CDT

Current temp

75°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Springdale, AR

Night in Springdale on Tuesday

Local time

11:22 PM

CDT

Current temp

73°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

3h 57m 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 Malvern, AR to Springdale, AR covers 212.7 miles and takes about 3h 57m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, I 49, AR 7. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 106.4 miles from Malvern, AR. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $32.12 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 is a straightforward 3h 57m drive. You will face about 16 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (US 270B / South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 23.6 miles (AR 7): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
The route from Malvern, AR to Springdale, AR does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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