The drive from Manila, AR to North Little Rock, AR covers 160.4 miles and takes about 3h 2m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 57, Highway 18, US 78 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 102.7 miles on I 57.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $24.22 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
80.2 miles from Manila, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 38m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 2m. Total distance: 160.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
This is a 3h 2m highway drive covering 160.4 miles, with most of the trip on I 57 and Highway 18. The longest continuous stretch is about 102.7 miles on I 57.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 57 is the longest continuous segment at about 102.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Highway 18. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near US 78; AR 18 / Highway 18.
Driving Effort2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Manila, AR to North Little Rock, AR is easy. At 3h 2m with 94% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (US 78; AR 18 / Highway 18): Navigation decision point; at 34.8 miles (AR 18 / Southwest Drive): Navigation decision point; at 54.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.6 mi into trip|~1m in|US 78; AR 18 / Highway 18
At end of road, turn right onto US 78; AR 18 / Highway 18
Navigation decision point
3
34.8 mi into trip|~48m in|AR 18 / Southwest Drive
Turn left onto AR 18 / Southwest Drive
Navigation decision point
5
54.8 mi into trip|~1h 11m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
3
55.2 mi into trip|~1h 12m in|I 57
Merge onto I 57
Merge point - match speed before joining
4
159 mi into trip|~2h 59m in
Take the exit toward John F Kennedy Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward John F Kennedy Boulevard
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
102.7 mi
1h 45m
Highway 18
34.3 mi
46m
US 78
12.5 mi
14m
Southwest Drive
7.4 mi
8m
I 40
1.2 mi
1m
North Main Street
0.7 mi
1m
West Olympia Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
John F Kennedy Boulevard
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 102.7 mi, about 1h 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Manila, AR and North Little Rock, AR.
1
Start on West Olympia Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·West Olympia Avenue
2
At end of road, turn right onto US 78; AR 18
34 mi·46 min·Highway 18
3
Turn left onto AR 18
7.4 mi·8 min·Southwest Drive
4
Continue on US 78; AR 226
13 mi·14 min·US 78; AR 226
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
6
Merge onto I 57
103 mi·1 hr 45 min·I 57
7
Merge onto I 40; US 167
1.2 mi·1 min·I 40; US 167
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward John F Kennedy Boulevard
9
Turn straight onto Calvary Road
0.2 mi·18 sec·Calvary Road
10
Turn left onto AR 107
0.3 mi·34 sec·John F Kennedy Boulevard
11
Continue on North Main Street
0.7 mi·1 min·North Main Street
12
Arrive at destination
North Main 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 80.2 miles from Manila, AR, or about 1h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 102.7 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 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80.2 miles or 1h 38m 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 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near North Little Rock, AR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Manila, 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 Manila, AR
This is one driving day of about 160.4 miles and 3h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Manila, 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 57 for about 102.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 80.2 mi from Manila, AR
· 1h 38m into the drive
The midpoint is around 80.2 miles from Manila, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 57 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 102.7 miles.
Arriving in North Little Rock, AR
The final approach into North 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 North Little Rock, AR.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Nearby Places
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Restaurant
Sonic Drive-In
4.0
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Jonesboro, Arkansas
Early in the drive, short detour
1.7 mi from route
~4 min detour
Inexpensiv
mile 34.4
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.22 one way
$48.45 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg56 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$26.59
$53.18
premium
$4.56
$28.79
$57.58
diesel
$5.61
$35.41
$70.83
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: 56.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
5 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Tesla Supercharger
Jonesboro, Arkansas
Tesla
1 DCFC
EV Connect Charging Station
Jonesboro, Arkansas
EV Connect
1 DCFC
Blink Charging Station
Newport, Arkansas
Blink
1 DCFC
EV Connect Charging Station
Jonesboro, Arkansas
EV Connect
1 DCFC
Blink Charging Station
Jonesboro, Arkansas
Blink
1 DCFC
EV Connect: 2
Blink: 2
Tesla: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
48.1
0
$16.84
$7.70
Efficient EV
40.1
0
$14.04
$6.42
EV Truck/SUV
64.2
0
$22.46
$10.27
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
Manila, AR
Evening
in Manila on Friday
Local time
7:10 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
North Little Rock, AR
Evening
in North Little Rock on Friday
Local time
7:10 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
77°F
Bono, AR
80 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 2m 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 Manila, AR to North Little Rock, AR covers 160.4 miles and takes about 3h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 57, Highway 18, US 78. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 80.2 miles from Manila, AR. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $24.22 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.
The drive from Manila, AR to North Little Rock, AR is easy. At 3h 2m with 94% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (US 78; AR 18 / Highway 18): Navigation decision point; at 34.8 miles (AR 18 / Southwest Drive): Navigation decision point; at 54.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
The route from Manila, AR to North Little Rock, AR does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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.
