Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 20m
Distance
174.1 mi
280 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Mineral Springs, AR
Solvej Nielsen
Pine Bluff, AR
Wikimedia Commons
This 174.3-mile journey from Mineral Springs, AR to Pine Bluff, AR is a solid option for a single-day road trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes to complete. With a fuel cost estimated at $27, it's an economical choice for exploring the Southeast region of Arkansas. The drive primarily utilizes local roads, including Forest Service Road 1504 and Pink Twist Road, before transitioning to North Pine Street as you approach Pine Bluff. Given its duration and the nature of the roads, this route is best suited for a leisurely pace, allowing you to enjoy the local scenery without feeling rushed. Consider this drive for a straightforward trip focused on local exploration.
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
87.1 miles from Mineral Springs, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 46m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 20m. Total distance: 174.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Straightforward navigation.
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for the majority of this 174.3-mile route, with 0% highway share. This means you'll be navigating a series of local roads, including Forest Service Road 1504 and Pink Twist Road, rather than cruising on high-speed highways. The absence of long, uninterrupted stretches means frequent adjustments and a more engaged driving experience. As you approach Pine Bluff, the roads will eventually lead you onto North Pine Street, signaling the transition into a more urban setting. This drive offers a hands-on feel of the local Arkansas landscape, emphasizing maneuverability over sheer speed.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 530. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Forest Service Road 1504.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 20m drive. You will face about 8 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 (Forest Service Road 1504): Navigation decision point; at 133.4 miles (I 530; US 65; US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 173.9 miles (North Pine Street): Navigation decision point.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto Forest Service Road 1504
Navigation decision point
Keep slight left at fork onto I 530; US 65; US 167
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto North Pine Street
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto West Barraque Street
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto South Main Street
Navigation decision point
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 115.3 mi | 1h 56m |
| I 530 | 35 mi | 35m |
| AR 219 | 8.8 mi | 19m |
| US 65B | 5.6 mi | 9m |
| US 65 | 4.6 mi | 6m |
| Pink Twist Road | 3.1 mi | 8m |
| Forest Service Road 1504 | 1 mi | 2m |
| South Main Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Mineral Springs, AR and Pine Bluff, AR.
Start on this road
Turn left onto Forest Service Road 1504
Continue on Pink Twist Road
Continue on Pink Twist Road
Continue on Pink Twist Road
Continue on AR 219
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 40
Take the exit onto US 65
Keep slight left at fork onto I 530; US 65; US 167
Take the exit onto US 65B
Turn right onto North Pine Street
Turn left onto West Barraque Street
Turn right onto South Main Street
Arrive at destination
With a total duration of 2 hours and 45 minutes, this 174.3-mile trip from Mineral Springs to Pine Bluff is easily manageable as a day trip. Aim to depart in the morning to allow ample time for any spontaneous stops you might want to make along the way, especially given the turn-heavy nature of the route. The estimated fuel cost is $27, so ensure your tank is full before you leave Mineral Springs. Since there's only one recommended stop and no particularly long stretches without services, you have a lot of flexibility in pacing yourself. A specific tip for this route: pay close attention to signage for Forest Service Road 1504 and Pink Twist Road, as these local roads might require more attention than typical highway driving.
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.
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 38 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 87.1 miles or 1h 46m 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 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pine Bluff, AR than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Mineral Springs, 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 Mineral Springs, AR
This is one driving day of about 174.1 miles and 3h 20m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 87.1 mi from Mineral Springs, AR · 1h 46m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
87 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 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 87.1 miles from Mineral Springs, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 115.3 miles.
The final approach into Pine Bluff, 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 Pine Bluff, 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.
Regular Gas
$26.29 one way
$52.59 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $28.86 | $57.73 |
| premium | $4.56 | $31.25 | $62.50 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $38.44 | $76.88 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 52.2 | 0 | $18.28 | $8.36 |
| Efficient EV | 43.5 | 0 | $15.23 | $6.96 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 69.6 | 0 | $24.37 | $11.14 |
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
20 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
Morning in Mineral Springs on Friday
Local time
6:51 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Destination
Morning in Pine Bluff on Friday
Local time
6:51 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°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
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
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