Origin
Russellville, AR
Evening in Russellville on Sunday
Local time
7:25 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Russellville, AR to Hot Springs, AR
Drive Time
1h 26m
Distance
72.3 mi
116 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 20m
★
6 AM
1h 26m
8 AM
1h 40m
10 AM
1h 31m
12 PM
1h 30m
3 PM
1h 32m
5 PM
1h 39m
8 PM
1h 22m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Russellville, AR
Get Lost Mike
Hot Springs, AR
Siarhei Nester
Trip Overview
If you are looking to travel from Russellville to Hot Springs, this 72.3-mile trip is a straightforward journey that takes roughly 1 hour and 26 minutes. It serves as an excellent day trip, allowing you to easily complete the drive in a single day without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $11 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Arkansas cities. Because both locations are situated in the Southeast region of the state, the climate and terrain remain consistent throughout your journey. This route is efficient for travelers who want to minimize time behind the wheel while moving between these two distinct hubs. It is a practical choice if you value a direct connection over a multi-day expedition.
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
36.2 miles from Russellville, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 42m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 83% of this trip is spent on major roads. Your primary path involves South State Highway 7 and AR 7 South, which offer a consistent driving rhythm. You will encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 44.8 miles on South State Highway 7, allowing for steady progress before the road transitions into Park Avenue as you approach your destination. The route is designed for efficiency rather than technical complexity, making it a predictable drive for those comfortable with highway travel. You will find that the road maintains a reliable character from start to finish, keeping you on a clear, well-marked trajectory.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
South State Highway 7 is the longest continuous segment at about 44.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on South State Highway 7 and AR 7 South. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 4.9 miles in near AR 7 / North State Highway 7.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Russellville, AR to Hot Springs, AR is easy. At 1h 26m with 83% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 4.9 miles (AR 7 / North State Highway 7): Navigation decision point; at 19.9 miles (AR 7): Navigation decision point; at 20.1 miles (AR 7 / South State Highway 7): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 5 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
3
4.9 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
AR 7 / North State Highway 7
At end of road, turn left onto AR 7 / North State Highway 7
Navigation decision point
3
19.9 mi into trip
|
~23m in
|
AR 7
Turn right onto AR 7
Navigation decision point
3
20.1 mi into trip
|
~23m in
|
AR 7 / South State Highway 7
Turn left onto AR 7 / South State Highway 7
Navigation decision point
4
64.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 14m in
|
AR 7 / Park Avenue
Enter roundabout onto AR 7 / Park Avenue
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
3
72.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 26m in
|
US 70B; US 270B / West Grand Avenue
Continue onto US 70B; US 270B / West Grand Avenue
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South State Highway 7 | 44.8 mi | 50m |
| AR 7 South | 14.4 mi | 16m |
| Park Avenue | 6.2 mi | 9m |
| North Arkansas Avenue | 4.9 mi | 5m |
| Central Avenue | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| South Scenic 7 Drive | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| North State Highway 7 | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| AR 7 | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
South State Highway 7
— 44.8 mi, about 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Russellville, AR and Hot Springs, AR.
1
Start on AR 7
4.9 mi
·
5 min
·
North Arkansas Avenue
2
At end of road, turn left onto AR 7
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
North State Highway 7
3
Continue on AR 7
14 mi
·
16 min
·
AR 7 South
4
Continue on AR 7; AR 10
0.3 mi
·
24 sec
·
South Scenic 7 Drive
5
Turn right onto AR 7
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
AR 7
6
Turn left onto AR 7
45 mi
·
50 min
·
South State Highway 7
7
Enter roundabout onto AR 7
98 ft
·
1 sec
·
Park Avenue
8
Continue on AR 7
6.1 mi
·
9 min
·
Park Avenue
9
Continue on AR 7
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Central Avenue
10
Turn left onto US 70B; US 270B
429 ft
·
20 sec
·
West Grand Avenue
11
Continue on US 70B; US 270B
348 ft
·
12 sec
·
West Grand Avenue
12
Arrive at destination
US 70B; US 270B
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 1 hour and 26-minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility when deciding when to head out. Since there are no mandatory stops scheduled along the path, you can easily tailor your departure time to avoid local traffic or align with your personal schedule. Make sure your tank is ready for the trip, keeping in mind the $11 estimated fuel cost for the full 72.3 miles. Because the majority of your time is spent on Highway 7, stay alert for changes in speed limits as you move from open highway sections into the more developed areas near Hot Springs. Taking advantage of the route's simplicity means you can focus on a 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 36.2 miles from Russellville, AR, or about 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 44.8 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 72.3 miles or 1h 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36.2 miles or 42m 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 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hot Springs, AR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Russellville, 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 Russellville, AR
This is one driving day of about 72.3 miles and 1h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Russellville, 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 South State Highway 7 for about 44.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 36.2 mi from Russellville, AR · 42m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
36 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 72.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 36.2 miles from Russellville, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Hot Springs, AR
The final approach into Hot Springs, 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 Hot Springs, 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
$11.05 one way
$22.11 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
25 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $12.12 | $24.25 |
| premium | $4.61 | $13.12 | $26.24 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $16.06 | $32.13 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 21.7 | 0 | $7.59 | $3.47 |
| Efficient EV | 18.1 | 0 | $6.33 | $2.89 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 28.9 | 0 | $10.12 | $4.63 |
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (68% 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
Hot Springs, AR
Evening in Hot Springs on Sunday
Local time
7:25 PM
CDT
Current temp
59°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
1 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
1h 26m 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 Russellville, AR to Hot Springs, AR covers 72.3 miles and takes about 1h 26m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are South State Highway 7, AR 7 South, Park Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 36.2 miles from Russellville, AR. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.05 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.
The drive from Russellville, AR to Hot Springs, AR is easy. At 1h 26m with 83% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.9 miles (AR 7 / North State Highway 7): Navigation decision point; at 19.9 miles (AR 7): Navigation decision point; at 20.1 miles (AR 7 / South State Highway 7): Navigation decision point.
The route from Russellville, AR to Hot Springs, AR does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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