Trip from North Little Rock, AR to Jonesboro, AR

Drive Time

2h 16m

Distance

126.5 mi

204 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$19

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 29 min
4 AM
2h 7m ★
6 AM
2h 17m
8 AM
2h 36m
10 AM
2h 23m
12 PM
2h 21m
3 PM
2h 24m
5 PM
2h 35m
8 PM
2h 11m

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

Trip Overview

Connecting North Little Rock to Jonesboro is a straightforward journey spanning 126.5 miles. You can expect a drive time of approximately 2 hours and 16 minutes, making this an ideal candidate for a single-day trip. With a fuel budget of about $19, the commute is both budget-friendly and efficient. You will remain within the Southeast region for the entirety of the trip as you traverse Arkansas. Because the duration is relatively short, you likely won't need an overnight stay, offering you plenty of flexibility for your schedule. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick getaway, the direct nature of this route makes it a practical choice.

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

63.2 miles from North Little Rock, AR

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 6m into the drive .

Drive Character

This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 92% of your travel occurring on major thoroughfares. You will spend the bulk of your time on I-57, which accounts for a significant 102.7-mile stretch of your journey. Transitioning from the interstate onto US-78 and eventually Southwest Drive characterizes the final leg of your trek. Expect a consistent, fast-paced experience that prioritizes efficiency over winding backroads. Being behind the wheel here means settling into a steady rhythm on high-speed roads, providing a predictable and reliable driving environment from start to finish.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 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 US 78. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near East 19th Street.

Route Complexity 5/10

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

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 126.5 miles you will encounter 10 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 0.2 miles (East 19th Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.2 miles (I 57; US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 104.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 10 key points

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

4
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | East 19th Street

Turn right onto East 19th Street

Navigation decision point

7
2.2 mi into trip | ~3m 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
4
104.9 mi into trip | ~1h 49m in

Take the exit toward AR 226: Jonesboro

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward AR 226: Jonesboro
4
105.3 mi into trip | ~1h 50m in

Keep slight right at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

4
126.4 mi into trip | ~2h 16m in

Turn left

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 57 102.7 mi 1h 46m
US 78 12.1 mi 13m
Southwest Drive 7.4 mi 9m
South Main Street 1.4 mi 2m
I 40 1.1 mi 1m
East 19th Street 0.3 mi <1m
I-30 Frontage Road 0.3 mi <1m
North Main Street 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 57 — 102.7 mi, about 1h 46m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on North Main Street

0.2 mi · 24 sec · North Main Street
2

Turn right onto East 19th Street

0.3 mi · 40 sec · East 19th Street
3

Turn left onto I-30 Frontage Road

0.3 mi · 32 sec · I-30 Frontage Road
4

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 30 sec
5

Merge onto I 40

1.1 mi · 1 min · I 40
6

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.
7

Continue on I 57; US 64; US 167

74 mi · 1 hr 16 min · I 57; US 64; US 167
8

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward AR 226: Jonesboro
9

Keep slight right at fork

346 ft · 8 sec
10

Merge onto US 78; AR 226

12 mi · 13 min · US 78; AR 226
11

Continue on US 49; US 63; US 78

7.4 mi · 9 min · Southwest Drive
12

Continue on South Main Street

1.4 mi · 2 min · South Main Street
13

Turn right onto Cate Avenue

207 ft · 14 sec · Cate Avenue
14

Turn left

75 ft · 5 sec
15

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Since this is a relatively quick trip, you have the advantage of choosing a departure time that best fits your personal schedule. While there are no scheduled stops required for a drive of this length, it is wise to keep an eye on your fuel gauge before leaving North Little Rock to ensure you stay within your estimated $19 budget. Because the route is dominated by a long 102.7-mile stretch on I-57, plan to manage your fatigue accordingly during that primary leg. Given the high highway percentage, staying alert during the transition onto Southwest Drive is essential for a smooth arrival in Jonesboro. Embracing the lack of mandatory stops allows you to reach your destination efficiently without the need for complex trip pacing.

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 63.2 miles from North Little Rock, AR, or about 1h 6m 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 24m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 63.2 miles or 1h 6m 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 48m

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 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 126.5 miles and 2h 16m.

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 I 57 for about 102.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 63.2 mi from North Little Rock, AR · 1h 6m into the drive

Downtown Bono, AR, AR

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bono, AR

63 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.

Popular next leg

Bono, AR to Jonesboro, AR

8.8 mi · 12m

Pacing Suggestions

Bono, AR

Fuel and coffee

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

Bono, AR

Meal break

The midpoint is around 63.2 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 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

$19.34 one way

$38.68 round trip

$3.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 44 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.26 $21.21 $42.42
premium $4.61 $22.96 $45.92
diesel $5.64 $28.10 $56.21

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$19

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$44–$69

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 44.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 37.9 0 $13.28 $6.07
Efficient EV 31.6 0 $11.07 $5.06
EV Truck/SUV 50.6 0 $17.71 $8.10

Gas CO2

44 kg

EV CO2

15 kg (66% 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

Jonesboro, AR

Evening in Jonesboro on Sunday

Local time

8:47 PM

CDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

81°F

Bono, AR

63 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

Very similar conditions

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

Road read

2h 16m 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 Jonesboro, AR covers 126.5 miles and takes about 2h 16m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 57, US 78, Southwest Drive. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 63.2 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 $19.34 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 126.5 miles you will encounter 10 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 0.2 miles (East 19th Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.2 miles (I 57; US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 104.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
The route from North Little Rock, AR to Jonesboro, AR does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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