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Create accountDrive Time
1h 4m
Distance
55.8 mi
90 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Springdale, AR
Choco Kitty
Alma, AR
Tima Miroshnichenko
The drive from Springdale, AR to Alma, AR covers 55.8 miles and takes about 1h 4m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Fulbright Expressway, North Thompson Street, North College Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 48.3 miles on Fulbright Expressway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $8.53 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
27.9 miles from Springdale, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 33m into the drive .
This is a 1h 4m highway drive covering 55.8 miles, with most of the trip on Fulbright Expressway and North Thompson Street. The longest continuous stretch is about 48.3 miles on Fulbright Expressway.
Gently rolling terrain
Total Climb
501 ft
Total Descent
1,393 ft
Highest Point
1,684 ft
~27.9 mi in
Elevation Range
1,250 ft
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Fulbright Expressway and North Thompson Street. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 5.4 miles in near US 71B / Fulbright Expressway.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 55.8 miles you will encounter 8 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 5.4 miles (US 71B / Fulbright Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 53.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 54.7 miles (US 71): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Keep slight right at fork onto US 71B / Fulbright Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork toward I 40 East: Alma, Little Rock
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit onto US 71 toward US 71: Alma
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Turn right onto US 71B; AR 162 / US Highway 71 North
Navigation decision point
Keep slight left at fork onto Fayetteville Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Fulbright Expressway | 48.3 mi | 49m |
| North Thompson Street | 3.3 mi | 6m |
| North College Avenue | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| East Johnson Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Fayetteville Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| I 40 | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| US Highway 71 North | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| US 71 | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Springdale, AR and Alma, AR.
Start on North Commercial Street
Turn right onto East Johnson Avenue
Turn left onto US 71B
Continue on US 71B
Keep slight right at fork onto US 71B
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 40; US 71
Take the exit onto US 71
Turn right onto US 71B; AR 162
Continue on Fayetteville Avenue
Keep slight left at fork onto Fayetteville Avenue
Continue on Fayetteville Avenue
Arrive at 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.
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 55.8 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 27.9 miles or 33m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alma, AR than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Springdale, 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 Springdale, AR
This is one driving day of about 55.8 miles and 1h 4m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 27.9 mi from Springdale, AR · 33m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
28 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.
A short stop after about 55.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 27.9 miles from Springdale, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Alma, 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 Alma, AR.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$8.53 one way
$17.06 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $9.36 | $18.71 |
| premium | $4.61 | $10.13 | $20.25 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $12.40 | $24.79 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$34–$59
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 19.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 16.7 | 0 | $5.86 | $2.68 |
| Efficient EV | 14 | 0 | $4.88 | $2.23 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 22.3 | 0 | $7.81 | $3.57 |
Gas CO2
20 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (65% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Springdale on Sunday
Local time
4:39 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Mostly Cloudy
Destination
Afternoon in Alma on Sunday
Local time
4:39 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Along the Route
63°F
Garland, TX
28 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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