The drive from Monticello, AR to Paragould, AR covers 240.3 miles and takes about 4h 25m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 57, Wiley A Branton Sr Highway, US 412 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 122.8 miles on I 57.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $36.29 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
120.1 miles from Monticello, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 13m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 25m. Total distance: 240.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 4h 25m highway drive covering 240.3 miles, with most of the trip on I 57 and Wiley A Branton Sr Highway. The longest continuous stretch is about 122.8 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 26 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 122.8 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 18 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near US 278 / North Hyatt Street.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 240.3 miles you will encounter 18 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: 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; at 90.2 miles (US 67; US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
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
6
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
7
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...
7
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
6
214.6 mi into trip|~3h 52m in|US 412
Keep slight right at fork onto US 412 toward US 412: Paragould, Walnut Ridge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 412: Paragould, Walnut Ridge
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Monticello, AR and Paragould, AR, road signs point toward Memphis, Saint Louis and Walnut Ridge.
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
Walnut Ridge
214.6 mi in|~3h 52m|via US 412
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
122.8 mi
2h 7m
Wiley A Branton Sr Highway
26.9 mi
28m
US 412
24.5 mi
30m
Highway 530
23.4 mi
27m
I 530
16.8 mi
16m
US 425
15.7 mi
20m
I 30
4.2 mi
5m
Highway 11
1.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 122.8 mi, about 2h 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Monticello, AR and Paragould, AR.
1
Start on US 278; Hwy 83
23 ft·6 sec·West Gaines Avenue
2
Turn left onto AR 83
213 ft·9 sec·North Main Street
3
Turn left onto US 278; Hwy 83
0.3 mi·31 sec·West McCloy Avenue
4
At end of road, turn left onto US 278
146 ft·2 sec·North Hyatt Street
5
Turn slight right onto US 278
0.4 mi·31 sec·West Gaines Avenue
6
Take the ramp
219 ft·5 sec
7
Merge onto US 425
16 mi·20 min·US 425
8
Turn left onto AR 11
1.7 mi·1 min·Highway 11
9
Turn right onto AR 530
23 mi·27 min·Highway 530
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·38 sec
Toward I 530 North, US 65 North
11
Merge onto I 530; US 63; US 65; US 79
27 mi·28 min·Wiley A Branton Sr Highway
12
Continue on I 530; US 65
17 mi·16 min·I 530; US 65
13
Continue on I 30; US 65; US 67; US 167
4.2 mi·5 min·I 30; US 65; US 67; US 167
14
Keep slight right at fork onto US 67; US 167
1.6 mi·2 min·US 67; US 167
Exit 143BToward I 40 East, US 67 North, US 167 North: Jacksonville, Memphis
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57; US 167
28 mi·29 min·I 57; US 167
Toward Saint LouisUse the slight left lane.
16
Continue on I 57; US 64; US 167
94 mi·1 hr 38 min·I 57; US 64; US 167
17
Keep slight right at fork onto US 412
0.5 mi·1 min·US 412
Toward US 412: Paragould, Walnut Ridge
18
Turn right onto US 412
24 mi·28 min·US 412
19
Turn left onto US 49Y
0.4 mi·37 sec·West Court Street
20
Turn left onto US 49; AR 1
0.2 mi·25 sec·US 49; AR 1
21
Turn right onto West Hunt Street
251 ft·10 sec·West Hunt Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Turn left onto North 14th Street
51 ft·1 sec·North 14th Street
23
Turn right onto West Hunt Street
0.2 mi·32 sec·West Hunt Street
24
Turn right onto Hayes Place
237 ft·15 sec·Hayes Place
25
Turn left onto Winchester
0.2 mi·42 sec·Winchester
26
Arrive at destination
Winchester
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 120.1 miles from Monticello, AR, or about 2h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 122.8 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 53 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 120.1 miles or 2h 13m 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 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Paragould, 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 240.3 miles and 4h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 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 122.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 120.1 mi from Monticello, AR
· 2h 13m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.29 one way
$72.58 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg84 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$39.84
$79.68
premium
$4.56
$43.13
$86.26
diesel
$5.61
$53.06
$106.11
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
72.1
0
$25.23
$11.53
Efficient EV
60.1
0
$21.03
$9.61
EV Truck/SUV
96.1
1
$33.64
$15.38
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Monticello, AR
Afternoon
in Monticello on Friday
Local time
1:54 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Paragould, AR
Afternoon
in Paragould on Friday
Local time
1:54 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
77°F
Jacksonville, AR
120 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
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
4h 25m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 Paragould, AR covers 240.3 miles and takes about 4h 25m 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, US 412. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 120.1 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 $36.29 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 240.3 miles you will encounter 18 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: 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; at 90.2 miles (US 67; US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Monticello, AR and Paragould, AR, road signs point toward Memphis, Saint Louis and Walnut Ridge.
