Trip from North Little Rock, AR to El Dorado, AR

Drive 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

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 29 min
4 AM
2h 16m ★
6 AM
2h 26m
8 AM
2h 45m
10 AM
2h 32m
12 PM
2h 31m
3 PM
2h 33m
5 PM
2h 44m
8 PM
2h 20m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown El Dorado, AR, AR

El Dorado, AR

Juan Felipe Ramírez

Trip Overview

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 .

Drive Character

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.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 167 is the longest continuous segment at about 98.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

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.

Route Complexity 5/10

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.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 11 key points

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

5
0.4 mi into trip | ~0m in | North Cypress Street

Turn right onto North Cypress Street

Navigation decision point

6
4.2 mi into trip | ~5m in | I 530; US 65; US 167

Keep slight left at fork onto I 530; US 65; US 167

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
14.2 mi into trip | ~15m in | US 167

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

Use the straight / right lanes. Toward US 167 South: Sheridan, Fordyce, El Dora...
7
74.2 mi into trip | ~1h 28m in | US 167

Keep slight left at fork onto US 167 toward US 167: El Dorado

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane. Toward US 167: El Dorado
5
116.8 mi into trip | ~2h 20m in | US 167B / North West Avenue

At end of road, turn left onto US 167B / North West Avenue

Navigation decision point

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from North Little Rock, AR to El Dorado, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Fordyce along the way.

Fordyce

14.2 mi in | ~15m | via US 167

Main Roads

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
Longest stretch: US 167 — 98.5 mi, about 1h 57m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between North Little Rock, AR and El Dorado, AR.

1

Start on North Main Street

443 ft · 14 sec · North Main Street
2

Turn left onto East 15th Street

0.3 mi · 42 sec · East 15th Street
3

Turn right onto North Cypress Street

120 ft · 2 sec · North Cypress Street
4

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 16 sec
5

Merge onto I 30; US 65; US 67; US 167

3.7 mi · 4 min · I 30; US 65; US 67; US 167
6

Keep slight left at fork onto I 530; US 65; US 167

10.0 mi · 10 min · I 530; US 65; US 167
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
7

Take the exit onto US 167

56 mi · 1 hr 5 min · US 167
Toward US 167 South: Sheridan, Fordyce, El Dorado Use the straight / right lanes.
8

Turn right onto US 79; US 167

4.1 mi · 6 min · US 79; US 167
9

Keep slight left at fork onto US 167

43 mi · 51 min · US 167
Toward US 167: El Dorado Use the none lane.
10

At end of road, turn left onto US 167B

3.1 mi · 5 min · North West Avenue
11

Turn right onto US 82B

273 ft · 6 sec · West Hillsboro Street
12

Turn right onto Barton Street

70 ft · 3 sec · Barton Street
13

Arrive at destination

Barton Street

Trip Plan

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 60 miles from North Little Rock, AR, or about 1h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.5 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 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.

Before You Leave

+

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.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from North Little Rock, AR.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on US 167 for about 98.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Texarkana, TX, TX

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Texarkana, TX

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.

Pacing Suggestions

Texarkana, TX

Fuel and coffee

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

Texarkana, TX

Meal break

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 check

Top up before US 167 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 98.5 miles.

Arriving in El Dorado, AR

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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$18.34 one way

$36.69 round trip

$3.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 42 kg CO2
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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

North Little Rock, AR

Evening in North Little Rock on Sunday

Local time

8:47 PM

CDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

El Dorado, AR

Evening in El Dorado on Sunday

Local time

8:47 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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

2h 25m 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 North Little Rock, AR to El Dorado, AR covers 120 miles and takes about 2h 25m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 167, I 530, US 79. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 60 miles from North Little Rock, AR. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.34 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
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.
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.
On the drive from North Little Rock, AR to El Dorado, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Fordyce along the way.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Explore more options from North Little Rock, AR or browse trips ending in El Dorado, AR.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AR road trips.

Explore maps for North Little Rock, AR or El Dorado, AR on MapSof.net.