This 245.1-mile journey from Texarkana, AR, to Springdale, AR, is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 4 hours and 57 minutes. You'll primarily navigate US 71 and I-49, with a significant portion of the drive, 58%, being on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $37, making it an economical choice for exploring more of Arkansas. Given its manageable length and duration, it's a perfect day trip, allowing you to reach your destination with ample time to spare.
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
122.6 miles from Texarkana, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 35m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 57m. Total distance: 245.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (58%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This drive offers a mixed experience, with 58% of the route on highways providing efficient travel. You'll encounter an 86.5-mile stretch on US 71, which likely offers a more scenic and varied drive compared to pure interstate. Expect the road to transition between faster highway sections and potentially more local road segments as you progress north. The 'mixed drive' profile suggests you won't be stuck in a monotonous interstate grind for the entire trip, offering a dynamic driving experience.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 71 is the longest continuous segment at about 86.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near County Avenue.
Driving Effort5/10
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 245.1 miles you will encounter 10 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 186.1 miles (US 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key points
These 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
5
0.3 mi into trip|~0m in|East 24th Street
Turn left onto East 24th Street
Navigation decision point
8
186.1 mi into trip|~3h 50m in|US 71
Keep slight right at fork onto US 71 toward I 40 East: Little Rock, Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 40 East: Little Rock, Memphis
6
190.7 mi into trip|~3h 55m in
Take the exit toward I 49 North: Fayetteville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 49 North: Fayetteville
8
237.7 mi into trip|~4h 44m in|US 71B / Fulbright Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 71B / Fulbright Expressway toward US 71B: Fayetteville Business District
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 67B
Toward US 71B: Fayetteville Business District
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Texarkana, AR to Springdale, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Memphis along the way.
Memphis
186.1 mi in|~3h 50m|via US 71
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 71
86.5 mi
1h 42m
North Lakeside Drive
51.2 mi
59m
I 49
46.4 mi
47m
Main Street
24.3 mi
32m
North State Line Avenue
20.2 mi
27m
US 59
8 mi
11m
South Thompson Street
3.3 mi
5m
Fulbright Expressway
2.2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
US 71
— 86.5 mi, about 1h 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Texarkana, AR and Springdale, AR.
1
Start on East 20th Street
180 ft·9 sec·East 20th Street
2
Turn right onto County Avenue
0.3 mi·42 sec·County Avenue
3
Turn left onto East 24th Street
0.3 mi·33 sec·East 24th Street
4
At end of road, turn right onto US 71
20 mi·27 min·North State Line Avenue
5
Continue on US 59; US 71
24 mi·32 min·Main Street
6
Continue on US 59; US 70; US 71; US 371
8.0 mi·11 min·US 59; US 70; US 71; US 371
7
Turn right onto US 59; US 71
51 mi·59 min·North Lakeside Drive
8
Continue on US 71; US 270
70 mi·1 hr 23 min·US 71; US 270
9
Take the exit onto US 71
12 mi·14 min·US 71
Toward 540 North
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 71
4.6 mi·4 min·US 71
Toward I 40 East: Little Rock, MemphisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 49 North: FayettevilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 49
46 mi·47 min·I 49
Use the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 71B
2.2 mi·2 min·Fulbright Expressway
Exit 67BToward US 71B: Fayetteville Business DistrictUse the slight right lane.
14
Continue on US 71B
1.3 mi·2 min·North College Avenue
15
Continue on US 71B
3.3 mi·5 min·South Thompson Street
16
Turn right onto West Johnson Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·West Johnson Avenue
17
At end of road, turn left onto North Commercial Street
119 ft·5 sec·North Commercial Street
18
Arrive at destination
North Commercial Street
Trip Plan
Start your drive early to maximize your day and avoid any potential afternoon traffic. With a duration under five hours, you might only need one planned stop, but keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 86.5-mile stretch on US 71. The $37 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always factor in a little extra for unexpected detours or local exploration. Since this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to depart when it suits you best, but an early start is generally recommended.
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 122.6 miles from Texarkana, AR, or about 2h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 86.5 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 54 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 122.6 miles or 2h 35m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Springdale, 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 245.1 miles and 4h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 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 US 71 for about 86.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 122.6 mi from Texarkana, AR
· 2h 35m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.02 one way
$74.03 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg86 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$40.63
$81.27
premium
$4.56
$43.99
$87.99
diesel
$5.61
$54.11
$108.23
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
73.5
0
$25.74
$11.76
Efficient EV
61.3
0
$21.45
$9.80
EV Truck/SUV
98
1
$34.31
$15.69
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 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 as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Texarkana, AR
Afternoon
in Texarkana on Friday
Local time
3:14 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Springdale, AR
Afternoon
in Springdale on Friday
Local time
3:14 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°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
2 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 57m 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 Springdale, AR covers 245.1 miles and takes about 4h 57m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 71, North Lakeside Drive, I 49. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 122.6 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 $37.02 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 245.1 miles you will encounter 10 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 186.1 miles (US 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Texarkana, AR to Springdale, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Memphis along the way.
