Trip from Monticello, AR to Jonesboro, AR

Drive Time

3h 57m

Distance

216 mi

348 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$33

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min

4 AM

3h 44m ★

6 AM

3h 57m

8 AM

4h 23m

10 AM

4h 6m

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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Monticello, AR

Md Jawadur Rahman

Trip Overview

Traveling from Monticello to Jonesboro covers 216 miles across Southeast Arkansas, a journey that typically takes about 3 hours and 57 minutes behind the wheel. Because this trip is manageable within a single day, you likely won't need to book an overnight stay, keeping your travel plans simple and efficient. You can expect to spend roughly $33 on fuel for the trek, making it a budget-friendly option for your schedule. The route relies heavily on major thoroughfares like I-57, the Wiley A. Branton Sr. Highway, and Highway 530 to connect the two cities. Whether you are heading north for business or a quick visit, this highway-focused drive offers a direct path that prioritizes speed and convenience over secondary backroads.

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

108 miles from Monticello, AR

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 1m into the drive .

Drive Character

This route is defined by its high-speed efficiency, with 83 percent of the journey taking place on highways. You will settle into a rhythmic pace early on, as the drive features a significant 102.7-mile stretch on I-57 that accounts for nearly half of your total travel time. The transition between the Wiley A. Branton Sr. Highway and Highway 530 keeps the drive feeling structured and predictable for the majority of the trip. While it lacks the winding curves of a scenic mountain pass, the steady flow of interstate driving allows you to cover the 216-mile distance without constant navigation adjustments. Expect a straightforward, professional driving experience that prioritizes reaching your destination in Jonesboro with minimal interruptions.

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

There are about 24 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 Wiley A Branton Sr Highway. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near AR 83 / North Main Street.

Route Complexity 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 216 miles you will encounter 15 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: near the start (AR 83 / North Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (US 278 / North Hyatt Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 41.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 15 key points

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

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | AR 83 / North Main Street

Turn left onto AR 83 / North Main Street

Navigation decision point

0.3 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 278 / North Hyatt Street

At end of road, turn left onto US 278 / North Hyatt Street

Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch

41.6 mi into trip | ~50m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 530 North, US 65 North

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 530 North, US 65 North

90.2 mi into trip | ~1h 41m in | US 67; US 167

Keep slight right at fork onto US 67; US 167 toward I 40 East, US 67 North, US 167 North: Jacksonville, Memphis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 143B Toward I 40 East, US 67 North, US 167 North: Ja...

91.8 mi into trip | ~1h 44m in | I 57; US 167

Keep slight left at fork onto I 57; US 167 toward Saint Louis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward Saint Louis

Towns Along This Route

Between Monticello, AR and Jonesboro, AR, road signs point toward Memphis and Saint Louis.

Memphis

90.2 mi in | ~1h 41m | via US 67; US 167

Saint Louis

91.8 mi in | ~1h 44m | via I 57; US 167

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 57	102.7 mi	1h 46m
Wiley A Branton Sr Highway	26.9 mi	28m
Highway 530	23.4 mi	27m
I 530	16.8 mi	16m
US 425	15.7 mi	20m
US 78	12.1 mi	13m
Southwest Drive	7.4 mi	9m
I 30	4.2 mi	5m

Longest stretch: I 57 — 102.7 mi, about 1h 46m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Monticello, AR and Jonesboro, AR.

Start on US 278; Hwy 83

23 ft · 6 sec · West Gaines Avenue

Turn left onto AR 83

213 ft · 9 sec · North Main Street

Turn left onto US 278; Hwy 83

0.3 mi · 31 sec · West McCloy Avenue

At end of road, turn left onto US 278

146 ft · 2 sec · North Hyatt Street

Turn slight right onto US 278

0.4 mi · 31 sec · West Gaines Avenue

Take the ramp

219 ft · 5 sec

Merge onto US 425

16 mi · 20 min · US 425

Turn left onto AR 11

1.7 mi · 1 min · Highway 11

Turn right onto AR 530

23 mi · 27 min · Highway 530

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 38 sec

Toward I 530 North, US 65 North

Merge onto I 530; US 63; US 65; US 79

27 mi · 28 min · Wiley A Branton Sr Highway

Continue on I 530; US 65

17 mi · 16 min · I 530; US 65

Use the none lane.

Continue on I 30; US 65; US 67; US 167

4.2 mi · 5 min · I 30; US 65; US 67; US 167

Keep slight right at fork onto US 67; US 167

1.6 mi · 2 min · US 67; US 167

Exit 143B Toward I 40 East, US 67 North, US 167 North: Jacksonville, Memphis

Keep slight left at fork onto I 57; US 167

28 mi · 29 min · I 57; US 167

Toward Saint Louis Use the slight left lane.

Continue on I 57; US 64; US 167

74 mi · 1 hr 16 min · I 57; US 64; US 167

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward AR 226: Jonesboro

Keep slight right at fork

346 ft · 8 sec

Merge onto US 78; AR 226

12 mi · 13 min · US 78; AR 226

Continue on US 49; US 63; US 78

7.4 mi · 9 min · Southwest Drive

Continue on South Main Street

1.4 mi · 2 min · South Main Street

Turn right onto Cate Avenue

207 ft · 14 sec · Cate Avenue

Turn left

75 ft · 5 sec

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Since this is a sub-four-hour drive, you have plenty of flexibility to depart when it best suits your personal schedule. Plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh, especially during the long 102.7-mile stretch on I-57 where road fatigue can set in. Because the route is primarily highway-focused, monitor your fuel levels before merging onto the major interstates to avoid searching for exits in less populated segments. If you want to optimize your travel time, aim to avoid peak traffic hours when transitioning onto the major highways. Keeping your $33 fuel budget in mind, try to fill up in Monticello before you head out to ensure you have a full tank for the duration of the trip.

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 108 miles from Monticello, AR, or about 2h 1m 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 80 miles or 1h 30m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 108 miles or 2h 1m 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 12m

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

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Monticello, 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 Monticello, AR

This is one driving day of about 216 miles and 3h 57m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Monticello, 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 108 mi from Monticello, AR · 2h 1m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Conway, AR

108 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

Haskell, AR

Fuel and coffee

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

Conway, AR

Meal break

The midpoint is around 108 miles from Monticello, 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 Jonesboro, AR

The final approach into Jonesboro, 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 Jonesboro, 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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$33.02 one way

$66.04 round trip

$3.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 76 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.26	$36.22	$72.44
premium	$4.61	$39.20	$78.41
diesel	$5.64	$47.99	$95.98

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$33

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$58–$83

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 75.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	64.8	0	$22.68	$10.37
Efficient EV	54	0	$18.90	$8.64
EV Truck/SUV	86.4	1	$30.24	$13.82

Gas CO2

76 kg

EV CO2

25 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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Monticello, AR

Evening in Monticello on Sunday

Local time

6:25 PM

CDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Jonesboro, AR

Evening in Jonesboro on Sunday

Local time

6:25 PM

CDT

Current temp

61°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

3 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 Monticello, AR to Jonesboro, AR covers 216 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 57, Wiley A Branton Sr Highway, Highway 530. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 108 miles from Monticello, AR. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $33.02 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.

Between Monticello, AR and Jonesboro, AR, road signs point toward Memphis and Saint Louis.

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Trip from Monticello, AR to Jonesboro, AR

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Jonesboro, AR

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Monticello, AR

Jonesboro, AR

Same local time

3 degrees cooler at arrival

3h 57m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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