Origin
North Little Rock, AR
Evening in North Little Rock on Sunday
Local time
8:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
2h 25m
Distance
120 mi
193 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
El Dorado, AR
Juan Felipe Ramírez
If you are planning to head south from North Little Rock to El Dorado, you are looking at a straightforward 120-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 25 minutes. Because this drive is easily manageable in a single day, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you have other plans in the area. You can expect to budget roughly $18 for fuel, making this an economical trip across Arkansas. The route is highly efficient, utilizing a combination of I-530, US 79, and US 167 to get you to your destination. It is a practical, no-nonsense path that keeps you moving through the southeastern part of the state without unnecessary detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
60 miles from North Little Rock, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 9m into the drive .
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 97% of your time spent on major roads that prioritize speed and directness. You will find that the rhythm of the road is consistent, particularly when you settle into the longest stretch of 98.5 miles on US 167. Expect a transition from the busier interstate corridors near North Little Rock to the more open, highway-heavy landscape that defines the remainder of your travel. The experience behind the wheel is steady and predictable, allowing you to maintain a reliable pace for the duration of the 120-mile transit. Because the route relies so heavily on major thoroughfares, you can anticipate a streamlined drive that minimizes stop-and-go traffic.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 167 and I 530. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near North Cypress Street.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 120 miles you will encounter 11 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 0.4 miles (North Cypress Street): Navigation decision point; at 4.2 miles (I 530; US 65; US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.2 miles (US 167): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto North Cypress Street
Navigation decision point
Keep slight left at fork onto I 530; US 65; US 167
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit onto US 167 toward US 167 South: Sheridan, Fordyce, El Dorado
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto US 167 toward US 167: El Dorado
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
At end of road, turn left onto US 167B / North West Avenue
Navigation decision point
On the drive from North Little Rock, AR to El Dorado, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Fordyce along the way.
Fordyce
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 167 | 98.5 mi | 1h 57m |
| I 530 | 10 mi | 10m |
| US 79 | 4.1 mi | 6m |
| I 30 | 3.7 mi | 4m |
| North West Avenue | 3.1 mi | 5m |
| East 15th Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| North Main Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| West Hillsboro Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between North Little Rock, AR and El Dorado, AR.
Start on North Main Street
Turn left onto East 15th Street
Turn right onto North Cypress Street
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 30; US 65; US 67; US 167
Keep slight left at fork onto I 530; US 65; US 167
Take the exit onto US 167
Turn right onto US 79; US 167
Keep slight left at fork onto US 167
At end of road, turn left onto US 167B
Turn right onto US 82B
Turn right onto Barton Street
Arrive at destination
Since the entire journey takes under two and a half hours, you have the flexibility to leave whenever suits your schedule best. You won't need to plan for any formal stops along the way, but it is wise to ensure your tank is topped off before you hit the 98.5-mile stretch on US 167 to avoid any mid-route stress. Budgeting around $18 for fuel should comfortably cover your needs, but keeping a little extra on hand is always a smart move. Because the route is concentrated on highways, stay alert during the transition between I-530 and the US routes. Use the ease of this short, direct drive to your advantage by planning your arrival in El Dorado well before sunset for a stress-free transition into your destination.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
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 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 60 miles or 1h 9m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near El Dorado, AR than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving North Little Rock, 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 North Little Rock, AR
This is one driving day of about 120 miles and 2h 25m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 60 mi from North Little Rock, AR · 1h 9m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
60 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 60 miles from North Little Rock, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 167 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 98.5 miles.
The final approach into El Dorado, 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 El Dorado, AR.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$18.34 one way
$36.69 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $20.12 | $40.24 |
| premium | $4.61 | $21.78 | $43.56 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $26.66 | $53.32 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 36 | 0 | $12.60 | $5.76 |
| Efficient EV | 30 | 0 | $10.50 | $4.80 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 48 | 0 | $16.80 | $7.68 |
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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
Evening in North Little Rock on Sunday
Local time
8:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in El Dorado on Sunday
Local time
8:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°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
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
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.
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