Origin
Texarkana, AR
Afternoon in Texarkana on Sunday
Local time
4:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Texarkana, AR to Forrest City, AR
Drive Time
4h 3m
Distance
233.3 mi
375 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$36
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 50m
★
6 AM
4h 3m
8 AM
4h 29m
10 AM
4h 12m
12 PM
4h 10m
3 PM
4h 13m
5 PM
4h 28m
8 PM
3h 55m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Texarkana, AR
ARMAN ALCORDO JR.
Forrest City, AR
Nino Souza
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Texarkana to Forrest City, expect a 233.3-mile journey that takes approximately 4 hours and 3 minutes to complete. Because this route relies entirely on local roads like County Avenue, East 24th Street, and Jefferson Avenue rather than interstates, it is best approached as a focused, one-day drive. You should budget about $32 for fuel to cover the distance across this stretch of Southeast Arkansas. While the drive is manageable in a single day, the turn-heavy nature of the route means you will need to stay alert behind the wheel. Choosing this path offers a clear alternative to standard highway travel, provided you are prepared for a slower, more engaged pace. It is a straightforward trip that connects two points in the same state without the monotony of long-distance freeway driving.
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
116.6 miles from Texarkana, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 1m into the drive .
Drive Character
Prepare for a drive that demands your full attention, as this route is defined by its turn-heavy, local road character rather than high-speed cruising. With a highway share of 0%, you won’t find any long, mindless stretches of interstate here. In fact, the longest uninterrupted stretch on County Avenue is 0 miles, meaning you will be navigating frequent turns and transitions throughout the entire 233.3-mile trip. This constant engagement creates a very different experience compared to a typical highway commute, requiring you to stay sharp as you navigate the local infrastructure. Expect a hands-on driving experience where the road surface and direction change frequently as you make your way toward Forrest City.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Purple Heart Trail is the longest continuous segment at about 133.5 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
388 ft
187 ft
Total Climb
212 ft
Total Descent
319 ft
Highest Point
388 ft
~48.6 mi in
Elevation Range
200 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near County Avenue.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 233.3 miles you will encounter 12 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: near the start (County Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (East 24th Street): Navigation decision point; at 139.2 miles (I 440 / East Belt Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
County Avenue
Turn right onto County Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East 24th Street
Turn right onto East 24th Street
Navigation decision point
6
139.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 24m in
|
I 440 / East Belt Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 440 / East Belt Freeway toward I 440 East: Little Rock Airport, Little Rock River Port, Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 440 East: Little Rock Airport, Little...
6
149.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 36m in
Take the exit toward I 40: Memphis, Fort Smith
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 40: Memphis, Fort Smith
5
149.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 36m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 40 East: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 40 East: Memphis
Towns Along This Route
Between Texarkana, AR and Forrest City, AR, road signs point toward Little Rock River Port, Memphis and Fort Smith.
Little Rock River Port
139.2 mi in
|
~2h 24m
|
via I 440
Memphis
139.2 mi in
|
~2h 24m
|
via I 440
Fort Smith
149.2 mi in
|
~2h 36m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 133.5 mi | 2h 16m |
| I 40 | 81 mi | 1h 21m |
| East Belt Freeway | 10 mi | 11m |
| North Loop | 2.9 mi | 3m |
| Washington Street | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| Jefferson Avenue | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| East 24th Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| West Broadway Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 133.5 mi, about 2h 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Texarkana, AR and Forrest City, AR.
1
Start on East 20th Street
180 ft
·
9 sec
·
East 20th Street
2
Turn right onto County Avenue
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
County Avenue
3
Turn right onto East 24th Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East 24th Street
4
Turn left onto Jefferson Avenue
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Jefferson Avenue
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
6
Merge onto I 30
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
North Loop
7
Continue on I 30
134 mi
·
2 hr 16 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 440
10 mi
·
11 min
·
East Belt Freeway
Toward I 440 East: Little Rock Airport, Little Rock River Port, Memphis
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward I 40: Memphis, Fort Smith
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 40 East: Memphis
11
Merge onto I 40
81 mi
·
1 hr 21 min
·
I 40
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
Toward AR 1B South: Forrest City
13
Turn straight onto AR 1B
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Washington Street
14
Turn right onto US 70
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
·
West Broadway Avenue
15
Turn right onto North Division
31 ft
·
1 sec
·
North Division
16
Arrive at destination
North Division
Trip Plan
For a successful 4-hour and 3-minute drive, try to depart early in the morning to navigate the turn-heavy local roads during daylight hours. Since the route includes only one planned stop, ensure your vehicle is fueled up and ready to go before you leave, keeping that $32 fuel budget in mind. Because you are navigating local streets like Jefferson Avenue and East 24th Street rather than major highways, build in extra time for traffic or unexpected turns. My best advice for this specific journey is to keep a reliable GPS navigation tool running, as the lack of highway segments means you will be making frequent turns that are easy to miss. Flexibility is your biggest advantage on this trip, so don't hesitate to take a breather at your designated stop to stay refreshed.
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 116.6 miles from Texarkana, AR, or about 2h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 133.5 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 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 116.6 miles or 2h 1m 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 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Forrest City, AR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Texarkana, 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 Texarkana, AR
This is one driving day of about 233.3 miles and 4h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Texarkana, 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 Purple Heart Trail for about 133.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 116.6 mi from Texarkana, AR · 2h 1m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
117 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 116.6 miles from Texarkana, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 133.5 miles.
Arriving in Forrest City, AR
The final approach into Forrest City, 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 Forrest City, 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
$35.67 one way
$71.33 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
82 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $39.12 | $78.24 |
| premium | $4.61 | $42.34 | $84.69 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $51.83 | $103.66 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 81.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 70 | 0 | $24.50 | $11.20 |
| Efficient EV | 58.3 | 0 | $20.41 | $9.33 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 93.3 | 1 | $32.66 | $14.93 |
Gas CO2
82 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Forrest City, AR
Afternoon in Forrest City on Sunday
Local time
4:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°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
1 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 3m 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 Texarkana, AR to Forrest City, AR covers 233.3 miles and takes about 4h 3m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Purple Heart Trail, I 40, East Belt Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 116.6 miles from Texarkana, AR. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $35.67 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 233.3 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (County Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (East 24th Street): Navigation decision point; at 139.2 miles (I 440 / East Belt Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Texarkana, AR and Forrest City, AR, road signs point toward Little Rock River Port, Memphis and Fort Smith.
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