Trip from Tennessee, AR to Jonesboro, AR

Drive Time

4h 1m

Distance

218.3 mi

351 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$33

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min

4 AM

3h 48m ★

6 AM

4h 1m

8 AM

4h 27m

10 AM

4h 10m

12 PM

4h 8m

3 PM

4h 12m

5 PM

4h 26m

8 PM

3h 53m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

Trip Overview

If you are planning a trip from Tennessee to Jonesboro, expect a 219.9-mile journey that typically takes about 3 hours and 29 minutes to complete. This route keeps you entirely within the Southeast region of Arkansas, making it a manageable day trip for most drivers. You should budget approximately $34 for fuel to cover the distance. Because the drive is relatively straightforward, you can easily complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stay. While the path stays within the same state, the transition between these two Arkansas towns offers a clear change of scenery for those who enjoy local travel.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

109.1 miles from Tennessee, AR

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 3m into the drive .

Drive Character

Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. You will primarily navigate via Highway 11, Highway 530, and I-530 North to reach your destination. With 0% of the route categorized as traditional highway, you can expect a more tactile experience behind the wheel that requires your full attention on the curves. This winding road profile means your pace will be dictated by the local terrain rather than high-speed interstate travel. You will find that the journey feels more like a dedicated backcountry transit than a simple highway commute.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 57 is the longest continuous segment at about 102.7 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

338 ft 212 ft

Total Climb

390 ft

Total Descent

302 ft

Highest Point

338 ft

~63.7 mi in

Elevation Range

127 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Wiley A Branton Sr Highway. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near US 278.

Route Complexity 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 218.3 miles you will encounter 13 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 0.3 miles (US 278): Navigation decision point; at 18.7 miles (AR 11 / Highway 11): Navigation decision point; at 43.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

0.3 mi into trip | ~1m in | US 278

Turn right onto US 278

Navigation decision point

18.7 mi into trip | ~25m in | AR 11 / Highway 11

Turn left onto AR 11 / Highway 11

Navigation decision point

43.9 mi into trip | ~54m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 530 North, US 65 North

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 530 North, US 65 North

92.4 mi into trip | ~1h 45m in | US 67; US 167

Keep slight right at fork onto US 67; US 167 toward I 40 East, US 67 North, US 167 North: Jacksonville, Memphis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 143B Toward I 40 East, US 67 North, US 167 North: Ja...

94 mi into trip | ~1h 48m in | I 57; US 167

Keep slight left at fork onto I 57; US 167 toward Saint Louis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward Saint Louis

Towns Along This Route

Between Tennessee, AR and Jonesboro, AR, road signs point toward Memphis and Saint Louis.

Memphis

92.4 mi in | ~1h 45m | via US 67; US 167

Saint Louis

94 mi in | ~1h 48m | via I 57; US 167

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 57	102.7 mi	1h 46m
Wiley A Branton Sr Highway	26.9 mi	28m
Highway 530	23.4 mi	27m
I 530	16.8 mi	16m
US 425	15.8 mi	20m
US 78	12.1 mi	13m
Southwest Drive	7.4 mi	9m
I 30	4.2 mi	5m

Longest stretch: I 57 — 102.7 mi, about 1h 46m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Tennessee, AR and Jonesboro, AR.

Start on Tennessee Spur Road

0.3 mi · 1 min · Tennessee Spur Road

Turn right onto US 278

2.7 mi · 4 min · US 278

Turn left onto US 425

16 mi · 20 min · US 425

Turn left onto AR 11

1.7 mi · 1 min · Highway 11

Turn right onto AR 530

23 mi · 27 min · Highway 530

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 38 sec

Toward I 530 North, US 65 North

Merge onto I 530; US 63; US 65; US 79

27 mi · 28 min · Wiley A Branton Sr Highway

Continue on I 530; US 65

17 mi · 16 min · I 530; US 65

Continue on I 30; US 65; US 67; US 167

4.2 mi · 5 min · I 30; US 65; US 67; US 167

Keep slight right at fork onto US 67; US 167

1.6 mi · 2 min · US 67; US 167

Exit 143B Toward I 40 East, US 67 North, US 167 North: Jacksonville, Memphis

Keep slight left at fork onto I 57; US 167

28 mi · 29 min · I 57; US 167

Toward Saint Louis Use the slight left lane.

Continue on I 57; US 64; US 167

74 mi · 1 hr 16 min · I 57; US 64; US 167

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward AR 226: Jonesboro

Keep slight right at fork

346 ft · 8 sec

Merge onto US 78; AR 226

12 mi · 13 min · US 78; AR 226

Continue on US 49; US 63; US 78

7.4 mi · 9 min · Southwest Drive

Continue on South Main Street

1.4 mi · 2 min · South Main Street

Turn right onto Cate Avenue

207 ft · 14 sec · Cate Avenue

Turn left

75 ft · 5 sec

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Since this is a turn-heavy route, it is best to depart during daylight hours to ensure you have maximum visibility on the winding sections of Highway 11 and Highway 530. Plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs, as the constant steering and local road conditions can be more tiring than a straight interstate drive. Keep your fuel gauge in mind and try to fill up before hitting the more rural stretches to avoid any stress regarding your $34 fuel budget. Because this is a flexible single-day trip, you have the advantage of choosing your own pace without the pressure of a rigid schedule. For the smoothest experience, check your tire pressure before leaving, as the technical nature of these local roads is best handled with a well-maintained vehicle.

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 109.1 miles from Tennessee, AR, or about 2h 3m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 102.7 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 32m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 109.1 miles or 2h 3m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 15m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jonesboro, AR than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Tennessee, 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 Tennessee, AR

This is one driving day of about 218.3 miles and 4h 1m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Tennessee, 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 57 for about 102.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 109.1 mi from Tennessee, AR · 2h 3m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Conway, AR

109 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

Haskell, AR

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Conway, AR

Meal break

The midpoint is around 109.1 miles from Tennessee, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 57 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 102.7 miles.

Arriving in Jonesboro, AR

The final approach into Jonesboro, 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 Jonesboro, 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

$33.37 one way

$66.74 round trip

$3.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 76 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.26	$36.60	$73.21
premium	$4.61	$39.62	$79.24
diesel	$5.64	$48.50	$97.00

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$33

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$58–$83

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 76.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	65.5	0	$22.92	$10.48
Efficient EV	54.6	0	$19.10	$8.73
EV Truck/SUV	87.3	1	$30.56	$13.97

Gas CO2

76 kg

EV CO2

26 kg (66% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Tennessee, AR

Afternoon in Tennessee on Sunday

Local time

4:46 PM

CDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Jonesboro, AR

Afternoon in Jonesboro on Sunday

Local time

4:46 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

3 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

4h 1m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Tennessee, AR to Jonesboro, AR covers 218.3 miles and takes about 4h 1m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 57, Wiley A Branton Sr Highway, Highway 530. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 109.1 miles from Tennessee, AR. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $33.37 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Between Tennessee, AR and Jonesboro, AR, road signs point toward Memphis and Saint Louis.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Return Trip

Jonesboro, AR to Tennessee, AR

Plan the drive back the other way.

218.6 mi 4h 1m

Explore more options from Tennessee, AR or browse trips ending in Jonesboro, AR.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AR road trips.

Explore maps for Tennessee, AR or Jonesboro, AR on MapSof.net.