Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 4m
Distance
55.8 mi
90 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Springdale, AR
Wikimedia Commons
Alma, AR
Sami Aksu
If you are planning a quick excursion between Springdale and Alma, Arkansas, you can expect a straightforward journey covering approximately 55.8 miles. The drive typically takes around 1 hour and 4 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a one-day trip. You will primarily utilize the Fulbright Expressway, North Thompson Street, and North College Avenue to navigate the Southeast region. With a fuel cost estimate of just $9, this route is highly economical for travelers looking to move efficiently between these two cities. Because the duration is quite short, you will not need to worry about an overnight stay, allowing you to easily complete the trek in a single outing.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 4m. Total distance: 55.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 88% of your time spent on high-speed thoroughfares. You will find that the longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on the Fulbright Expressway, which spans 48.3 miles of your journey. While the route begins with local navigation through North Thompson Street and North College Avenue, it quickly transitions into a sustained highway experience. Expect a consistent and efficient pace rather than a winding or technical backroad drive. Behind the wheel, you will feel the drive shift from urban connectivity to a more direct, expressway-centered commute that prioritizes speed and convenience.
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
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
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
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 12 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$8.43 one way
$16.85 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $9.25 | $18.50 |
| premium | $4.56 | $10.02 | $20.03 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $12.32 | $24.64 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Estimated CO2 emission: 19.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
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
Morning in Springdale on Friday
Local time
7:25 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Partly Cloudy
Destination
Morning in Alma on Friday
Local time
7:25 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
72°F
Greenland, AR
28 mi in
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.
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Elevation is sampled from USGS 3DEP. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
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