Origin
Pine Bluff, AR
Evening in Pine Bluff on Sunday
Local time
8:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Pine Bluff, AR to Little Rock, AR
Drive Time
51m
Distance
44.1 mi
71 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 47m
★
6 AM
0h 51m
8 AM
1h 0m
10 AM
0h 54m
12 PM
0h 53m
3 PM
0h 55m
5 PM
0h 59m
8 PM
0h 49m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pine Bluff, AR
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick and straightforward transit between Pine Bluff and Little Rock, this 44.1-mile journey is an ideal option. You can comfortably complete the drive in about 51 minutes, making it a perfect day trip that requires no overnight stay. With a fuel budget of approximately $7, the route is highly economical for travelers moving through the Southeast region of Arkansas. Since the entire trip is contained within the same state, you will find the transition between these two cities seamless and efficient. It is a practical, no-nonsense connection that gets you from point A to point B without any unnecessary complexity.
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
22.1 miles from Pine Bluff, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 26m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highly efficient, highway-focused experience as you navigate this 44.1-mile corridor. With 97% of the drive taking place on major thoroughfares, you will spend the vast majority of your time on I-530, the Martha Mitchell Expressway, and the Wilbur D. Mills Freeway. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a 35-mile run on I-530, which allows for consistent speeds and a steady rhythm behind the wheel. Because this is primarily an interstate drive, it lacks the technical challenges of local roads but offers a reliable, predictable path. You will find that the character of the road remains consistent from start to finish, prioritizing speed and direct access.
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 530 is the longest continuous segment at about 35 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 530 and Martha Mitchell Expressway. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West 2nd Avenue.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 44.1 miles you will encounter 9 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: near the start (West 2nd Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (South Walnut Street): Navigation decision point; at 5.7 miles (I 530; US 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
West 2nd Avenue
Turn right onto West 2nd Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
South Walnut Street
Turn right onto South Walnut Street
Navigation decision point
5
5.7 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
I 530; US 65
Merge onto I 530; US 65
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
7
43.9 mi into trip
|
~50m in
|
West 7th Street
Turn left onto West 7th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
44 mi into trip
|
~50m in
|
State Capitol
Turn right onto State Capitol
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 530 | 35 mi | 35m |
| Martha Mitchell Expressway | 4.6 mi | 7m |
| Wilbur D. Mills Freeway | 1.4 mi | 1m |
| I 30 | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| US 65B | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| West 2nd Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| South Walnut Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| State Capitol | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 530
— 35 mi, about 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pine Bluff, AR and Little Rock, AR.
1
Start on South Main Street
46 ft
·
4 sec
·
South Main Street
2
Turn right onto West 2nd Avenue
0.2 mi
·
44 sec
·
West 2nd Avenue
3
Turn right onto South Walnut Street
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
South Walnut Street
4
Turn left onto US 65B
4.6 mi
·
7 min
·
Martha Mitchell Expressway
5
Keep slight left at fork onto US 65B
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
US 65B
6
Merge onto I 530; US 65
35 mi
·
35 min
·
I 530; US 65
Use the none lane.
7
Continue on I 30; US 65; US 67; US 167
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
I 30; US 65; US 67; US 167
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
Toward I 630
9
Continue on I 630
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Wilbur D. Mills Freeway
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
11
Turn right onto Dr Martin Luther King Drive
188 ft
·
13 sec
·
Dr Martin Luther King Drive
12
Turn left onto West 7th Street
408 ft
·
13 sec
·
West 7th Street
Use the left lane.
13
Turn right onto State Capitol
503 ft
·
22 sec
·
State Capitol
14
Turn slight right
260 ft
·
19 sec
15
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Because this is a short, 51-minute transit, you have significant flexibility regarding your departure time and pacing. There are no mandatory stops required for a trip of this length, allowing you to drive straight through without needing to plan for breaks. Keep in mind that since you are primarily on high-speed freeways, staying alert during the 35-mile stretch on I-530 is your main priority. Budgeting about $7 for fuel should cover your needs, but filling up before you leave Pine Bluff ensures you arrive in Little Rock without any last-minute errands. Use the inherent simplicity of this route to your advantage by focusing on a direct, stress-free arrival at 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 22.1 miles from Pine Bluff, AR, or about 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 35 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 44.1 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 22.1 miles or 26m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Little Rock, AR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Pine Bluff, 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 Pine Bluff, AR
This is one driving day of about 44.1 miles and 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Pine Bluff, 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 530 for about 35 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 22.1 mi from Pine Bluff, AR · 26m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
22 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 44.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 22.1 miles from Pine Bluff, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Little Rock, AR
The final approach into Little Rock, 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 Little Rock, 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
$6.74 one way
$13.48 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
15 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $7.39 | $14.79 |
| premium | $4.61 | $8.00 | $16.01 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $9.80 | $19.59 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$32–$57
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 15.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 13.2 | 0 | $4.63 | $2.12 |
| Efficient EV | 11 | 0 | $3.86 | $1.76 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 17.6 | 0 | $6.17 | $2.82 |
Gas CO2
15 kg
EV CO2
5 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.
Destination
Little Rock, AR
Evening in Little Rock on Sunday
Local time
8:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
59°F
Haskell, AR
22 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
51m 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 Pine Bluff, AR to Little Rock, AR covers 44.1 miles and takes about 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 530, Martha Mitchell Expressway, Wilbur D. Mills Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 22.1 miles from Pine Bluff, AR. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.74 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 44.1 miles you will encounter 9 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: near the start (West 2nd Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (South Walnut Street): Navigation decision point; at 5.7 miles (I 530; US 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Pine Bluff, AR to Little Rock, AR does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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