Origin
Tennessee, AR
Evening in Tennessee on Sunday
Local time
6:30 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Tennessee, AR to North Little Rock, AR
Drive Time
1h 46m
Distance
92.5 mi
149 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 39m
★
6 AM
1h 46m
8 AM
2h 2m
10 AM
1h 52m
12 PM
1h 50m
3 PM
1h 53m
5 PM
2h 1m
8 PM
1h 42m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Trip Overview
Traveling from Tennessee to North Little Rock covers a manageable 92.5-mile distance that typically takes about 1 hour and 46 minutes behind the wheel. This straightforward journey stays entirely within Southeast Arkansas, making it an ideal candidate for a quick one-day trip. You should budget approximately $14 for fuel to complete the transit. Because the drive is relatively short and efficient, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you have additional plans in the Little Rock area. It is a practical, no-nonsense route that connects these two points with minimal fuss.
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
46.2 miles from Tennessee, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 56m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience as you navigate the corridor toward the capital. With 69% of the journey spent on major thoroughfares, you will primarily rely on the Wiley A Branton Sr. Highway, Highway 530, and I-530 to make your time. The longest uninterrupted stretch lasts for 26.9 miles along the Wiley A Branton Sr. Highway, allowing you to settle into a steady rhythm. The road character remains consistent throughout the drive, favoring speed and directness over winding secondary paths. You will find that the transition between these major roads is designed for efficient travel rather than leisurely sightseeing.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Wiley A Branton Sr Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 26.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Wiley A Branton Sr Highway and Highway 530. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near US 278.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 1h 46m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
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 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
US 278
Turn right onto US 278
Navigation decision point
4
18.7 mi into trip
|
~25m in
|
AR 11 / Highway 11
Turn left onto AR 11 / Highway 11
Navigation decision point
6
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
4
91.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 44m in
Take the exit toward Curtis Sykes Drive
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward Curtis Sykes Drive
4
92.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 45m in
|
East 15th Street
Turn left onto East 15th Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| I 30 | 3.7 mi | 4m |
| US 278 | 2.7 mi | 4m |
| Highway 11 | 1.7 mi | 1m |
| East 15th Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Wiley A Branton Sr Highway
— 26.9 mi, about 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tennessee, AR and North Little Rock, AR.
1
Start on Tennessee Spur Road
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Tennessee Spur Road
2
Turn right onto US 278
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
US 278
3
Turn left onto US 425
16 mi
·
20 min
·
US 425
4
Turn left onto AR 11
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway 11
5
Turn right onto AR 530
23 mi
·
27 min
·
Highway 530
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
38 sec
Toward I 530 North, US 65 North
7
Merge onto I 530; US 63; US 65; US 79
27 mi
·
28 min
·
Wiley A Branton Sr Highway
8
Continue on I 530; US 65
17 mi
·
16 min
·
I 530; US 65
Use the none lane.
9
Continue on I 30; US 65; US 67; US 167
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
I 30; US 65; US 67; US 167
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward Curtis Sykes Drive
11
Turn straight onto North Locust Street
106 ft
·
7 sec
·
North Locust Street
12
Turn left onto East 15th Street
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
·
East 15th Street
13
Turn right onto North Main Street
443 ft
·
8 sec
·
North Main Street
14
Arrive at destination
North Main Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a short trip with zero planned stops, you have plenty of flexibility to depart whenever it suits your schedule. You can easily complete the entire 92.5-mile trek in a single session without needing to worry about mid-route rest breaks. Keep in mind that while the $14 fuel estimate is accurate for a standard vehicle, you should always check your gauge before leaving Tennessee to ensure a smooth, non-stop ride. Because the route is so concentrated, you can maximize your time by planning your arrival in North Little Rock around traffic patterns on I-530. Use the simplicity of the highway-heavy route to your advantage and enjoy the straightforward navigation.
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 46.2 miles from Tennessee, AR, or about 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 26.9 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 46.2 miles or 56m 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 27m
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 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 92.5 miles and 1h 46m.
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.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Wiley A Branton Sr Highway for about 26.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 46.2 mi from Tennessee, AR · 56m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
46 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 46.2 miles from Tennessee, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.14 one way
$28.28 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
32 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $15.51 | $31.02 |
| premium | $4.61 | $16.79 | $33.58 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $20.55 | $41.10 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 27.8 | 0 | $9.71 | $4.44 |
| Efficient EV | 23.1 | 0 | $8.09 | $3.70 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 37 | 0 | $12.95 | $5.92 |
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 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
Evening in North Little Rock on Sunday
Local time
6:30 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
1h 46m 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 Tennessee, AR to North Little Rock, AR covers 92.5 miles and takes about 1h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Wiley A Branton Sr Highway, Highway 530, I 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 46.2 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 $14.14 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.
This is a straightforward 1h 46m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
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.
The route from Tennessee, AR to North Little Rock, AR does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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Return Trip
North Little Rock, AR to Tennessee, ARPlan the drive back the other way.
92.7 mi
1h 30m
Continue From North Little Rock, AR
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