Origin
North Little Rock, AR
Afternoon in North Little Rock on Sunday
Local time
3:44 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from North Little Rock, AR to Springdale, AR
Drive Time
3h 25m
Distance
195.5 mi
315 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 13m
★
6 AM
3h 25m
8 AM
3h 49m
10 AM
3h 34m
12 PM
3h 31m
3 PM
3h 35m
5 PM
3h 48m
8 PM
3h 18m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Springdale, AR
Choco Kitty
Trip Overview
Connecting North Little Rock to Springdale is a straightforward 195.5-mile journey that typically takes about 3 hours and 25 minutes. Because this route is highly efficient, it serves perfectly as a comfortable one-day trip, meaning you likely won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend roughly $30 on fuel to complete the transit. By sticking primarily to I-40 and I-49, you navigate through the heart of Arkansas with ease. This drive is ideal for travelers who prioritize speed and reliability over wandering backroads. Whether you are heading north for business or a quick getaway, the route provides a consistent experience across the state.
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
97.7 miles from North Little Rock, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 39m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a classic interstate-focused drive, as 97% of your travel occurs on major highways. The vast majority of your time behind the wheel will be spent on I-40, which accounts for a substantial 140.2-mile stretch of the trip. Once you transition onto I-49 and eventually follow South Thompson Street into Springdale, the rhythm of the drive shifts from high-speed transit to local navigation. Because the route is dominated by interstates, you should prepare for a steady, predictable pace rather than technical winding roads. It is a functional, efficient drive designed to get you from point A to point B without unnecessary complexity.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 40 is the longest continuous segment at about 140.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 49. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h 25m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles: Navigation decision point; at 0.9 miles (North Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.2 miles (I 40; US 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.9 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Turn left
Navigation decision point
4
0.9 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
North Main Street
Turn left onto North Main Street
Navigation decision point
5
1.2 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
I 40; US 65
Merge onto I 40; US 65
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
4
141.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 23m in
Take the exit toward I 49 North: Fayetteville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 49 North: Fayetteville
8
188.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 11m in
|
US 71B / Fulbright Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 71B / Fulbright Expressway toward US 71B: Fayetteville Business District
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 67B
Toward US 71B: Fayetteville Business District
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 140.2 mi | 2h 21m |
| I 49 | 46.4 mi | 47m |
| South Thompson Street | 3.3 mi | 5m |
| Fulbright Expressway | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| North College Avenue | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| North Main Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| West Johnson Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| John F Kennedy Boulevard | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 140.2 mi, about 2h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Little Rock, AR and Springdale, AR.
1
Start on North Main Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
2
Continue on John F Kennedy Boulevard
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
John F Kennedy Boulevard
3
Turn left
105 ft
·
8 sec
4
Turn left onto North Main Street
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
North Main Street
5
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
6
Merge onto I 40; US 65
140 mi
·
2 hr 21 min
·
I 40; US 65
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Toward I 49 North: Fayetteville
8
Continue on I 49
46 mi
·
47 min
·
I 49
Use the none lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 71B
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Fulbright Expressway
Exit 67B
Toward US 71B: Fayetteville Business District
Use the slight right lane.
10
Continue on US 71B
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
North College Avenue
Use the none lane.
11
Continue on US 71B
3.3 mi
·
5 min
·
South Thompson Street
12
Turn right onto West Johnson Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
West Johnson Avenue
13
At end of road, turn left onto North Commercial Street
119 ft
·
5 sec
·
North Commercial Street
14
Arrive at destination
North Commercial Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively quick trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though planning for one stop will help keep you refreshed. With the total duration under four hours, you can easily manage the drive in a single push if you prefer. Keep in mind that the primary segment on I-40 is the longest stretch of your journey, so check traffic reports for that corridor before you head out. Budgeting approximately $30 for fuel should cover your needs comfortably. A helpful tip for this route is to utilize that single planned stop to transition your mindset from the high-speed interstate flow to the local traffic patterns you will encounter on South Thompson Street.
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 97.7 miles from North Little Rock, AR, or about 1h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 140.2 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 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 97.7 miles or 1h 39m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Springdale, 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 195.5 miles and 3h 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.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 140.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 97.7 mi from North Little Rock, AR · 1h 39m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
98 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 97.7 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 I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 140.2 miles.
Arriving in Springdale, AR
The final approach into Springdale, 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 Springdale, 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
$29.89 one way
$59.77 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
68 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $32.78 | $65.56 |
| premium | $4.61 | $35.48 | $70.96 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $43.43 | $86.87 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 68.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 58.7 | 0 | $20.53 | $9.38 |
| Efficient EV | 48.9 | 0 | $17.11 | $7.82 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 78.2 | 0 | $27.37 | $12.51 |
Gas CO2
68 kg
EV CO2
23 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.
Destination
Springdale, AR
Afternoon in Springdale on Sunday
Local time
3:44 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°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
13 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 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 Springdale, AR covers 195.5 miles and takes about 3h 25m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, I 49, South Thompson Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 97.7 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 $29.89 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.
This is a straightforward 3h 25m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles: Navigation decision point; at 0.9 miles (North Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.2 miles (I 40; US 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from North Little Rock, AR to Springdale, AR does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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Return Trip
Springdale, AR to North Little Rock, ARPlan the drive back the other way.
195.2 mi
3h 23m
Continue From Springdale, AR
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