Origin
Springdale, AR
Afternoon in Springdale on Sunday
Local time
3:44 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Springdale, AR to North Little Rock, AR
Drive Time
3h 23m
Distance
195.2 mi
314 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 12m
★
6 AM
3h 24m
8 AM
3h 48m
10 AM
3h 32m
12 PM
3h 30m
3 PM
3h 33m
5 PM
3h 47m
8 PM
3h 17m
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 Springdale to North Little Rock, this 195.2-mile journey across Arkansas is a straightforward trip that typically takes about 3 hours and 23 minutes. Because the route is compact, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking overnight accommodations unless you prefer a slower pace. You can expect to spend approximately $30 on fuel for the trek, making it a budget-friendly option for travelers. The drive stays entirely within the Southeast region, transitioning you from the northwest corner of the state toward the central hub. By sticking primarily to major thoroughfares, you ensure a reliable transit experience that prioritizes efficiency over backroad exploration.
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
97.6 miles from Springdale, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 44m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is heavily focused on highway travel, with 96% of your route spent on high-speed roads. You will utilize North Thompson Street and the Fulbright Expressway to get moving before settling in for the bulk of the journey. The experience is defined by a significant 140-mile stretch on I-40, which serves as the backbone of your drive. Expect a consistent, interstate-focused rhythm that keeps you moving steadily toward your destination. While the road lacks the technical turns of mountainous terrain, the sheer length of the interstate portion provides a predictable and efficient driving environment.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 11 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 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and Fulbright Expressway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Johnson Avenue.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h 23m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Johnson Avenue): Navigation decision point; 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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 6 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
3
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East Johnson Avenue
Turn right onto East Johnson Avenue
Navigation decision point
6
5.4 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
US 71B / Fulbright Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 71B / Fulbright Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
53.7 mi into trip
|
~1h in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 40 East: Alma, Little Rock
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 40 East: Alma, Little Rock
5
54.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 1m in
|
I 40; US 71
Merge onto I 40; US 71
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
5
194.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 22m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Springdale, AR to North Little Rock, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Little Rock along the way.
Little Rock
53.7 mi in
|
~1h
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 140 mi | 2h 20m |
| Fulbright Expressway | 48.3 mi | 49m |
| North Thompson Street | 3.3 mi | 6m |
| North College Avenue | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| North Main Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| East Johnson Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| North Commercial Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 140 mi, about 2h 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Springdale, AR and North Little Rock, AR.
1
Start on North Commercial Street
119 ft
·
7 sec
·
North Commercial Street
2
Turn right onto East Johnson Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Johnson Avenue
3
Turn left onto US 71B
3.3 mi
·
6 min
·
North Thompson Street
4
Continue on US 71B
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
North College Avenue
Use the none lane.
5
Keep slight right at fork onto US 71B
48 mi
·
49 min
·
Fulbright Expressway
Use the straight lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 40 East: Alma, Little Rock
7
Merge onto I 40; US 71
140 mi
·
2 hr 20 min
·
I 40; US 71
Use the none lane.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Use the right lane.
9
Turn slight right
93 ft
·
4 sec
10
Turn slight right onto North Main Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
11
Arrive at destination
North Main Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best. Plan for at least one dedicated stop during your 3-hour and 23-minute transit to stretch your legs and refresh. Because the longest uninterrupted segment spans 140 miles on I-40, be sure to keep an eye on your fuel gauge before entering this primary stretch to avoid any mid-highway stress. If you prefer to avoid potential congestion, consider timing your departure to bypass peak traffic hours in the metropolitan areas. Packing your own snacks and drinks is a smart way to maximize your $30 fuel budget and keep the trip moving smoothly.
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 97.6 miles from Springdale, AR, or about 1h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 140 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 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 97.6 miles or 1h 44m 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 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near North Little Rock, AR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
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 195.2 miles and 3h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Springdale, 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 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 97.6 mi from Springdale, AR · 1h 44m 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 97.6 miles from Springdale, 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 miles.
Arriving in North Little Rock, AR
The final approach into North 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 North Little Rock, 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
$29.84 one way
$59.68 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
68 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $32.73 | $65.46 |
| premium | $4.61 | $35.43 | $70.86 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $43.37 | $86.73 |
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: 68.3 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 | 58.6 | 0 | $20.50 | $9.37 |
| Efficient EV | 48.8 | 0 | $17.08 | $7.81 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 78.1 | 0 | $27.33 | $12.49 |
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
North Little Rock, AR
Afternoon in North Little Rock on Sunday
Local time
3:44 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 23m 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 Springdale, AR to North Little Rock, AR covers 195.2 miles and takes about 3h 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, Fulbright Expressway, North 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 97.6 miles from Springdale, AR. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $29.84 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 23m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Johnson Avenue): Navigation decision point; 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.
On the drive from Springdale, AR to North Little Rock, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Little Rock along the way.
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Return Trip
North Little Rock, AR to Springdale, ARPlan the drive back the other way.
195.5 mi
3h 25m
Continue From North Little Rock, AR
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