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Trip from Tontitown, AR to Little Rock, AR

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 27m

Distance

198.4 mi

319 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$30

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
3h 15m ★
6 AM
3h 27m
8 AM
3h 51m
10 AM
3h 36m
12 PM
3h 33m
3 PM
3h 37m
5 PM
3h 50m
8 PM
3h 20m

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

Downtown Tontitown, AR, AR

Tontitown, AR

jason hu

Downtown Little Rock, AR, AR

Little Rock, AR

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 198.4-mile drive from Tontitown to Little Rock, Arkansas, is a straightforward journey designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 3 hours and 27 minutes. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, with 96% of the route being on interstates, making it a very efficient trip. The estimated fuel cost is around $30, which is quite reasonable for a drive of this length. This route is ideal if you're looking for a quick connection between two points within the Southeast region of the US, without the need for an overnight stop.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

99.2 miles from Tontitown, AR

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 43m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 27m. Total distance: 198.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused experience for the majority of this 198.4-mile journey. With 96% of the drive on interstates, including a significant 139.2-mile stretch on I-40, the pace is generally fast. You'll primarily be on I-49 and then I-40 as you head east. This character means you'll cover ground quickly, with fewer opportunities for spontaneous roadside discoveries compared to more rural routes. The focus is on efficient travel, making it a predictable and consistent drive from start to finish.

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 40 is the longest continuous segment at about 139.2 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 49. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near US 412 / East Henri de Tonti Boulevard.

Driving Effort 5/10

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 198.4 miles you will encounter 11 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 412 / East Henri de Tonti Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.9 miles (I 49; US 62; US 71): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 11 key points

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

7
0.3 mi into trip | ~1m in | US 412 / East Henri de Tonti Boulevard

At end of road, turn left onto US 412 / East Henri de Tonti Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
5
2.7 mi into trip | ~5m in

Take the exit

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
5
2.9 mi into trip | ~5m in | I 49; US 62; US 71

Merge onto I 49; US 62; US 71

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
6
54.3 mi into trip | ~58m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 40 East: Alma, Little Rock

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

Toward I 40 East: Alma, Little Rock
6
198.4 mi into trip | ~3h 26m in

Turn sharp left

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 40 139.2 mi 2h 19m
I 49 51.4 mi 52m
Pike Avenue 1.5 mi 2m
West Sunset Avenue 1.4 mi 2m
East Henri de Tonti Boulevard 1 mi 1m
West 3rd Street 0.8 mi 1m
West Broadway Street 0.5 mi <1m
Broadway Bridge 0.5 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 40 — 139.2 mi, about 2h 19m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Tontitown, AR and Little Rock, AR.

1

Start on this road

0.3 mi · 1 min · this road
2

At end of road, turn left onto US 412

1.0 mi · 1 min · East Henri de Tonti Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
3

Continue on US 412

1.4 mi · 2 min · West Sunset Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
4

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 15 sec
Use the right lane.
5

Merge onto I 49; US 62; US 71

51 mi · 52 min · I 49; US 62; US 71
Use the straight lane.
6

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 49 sec
Toward I 40 East: Alma, Little Rock
7

Merge onto I 40; US 71

139 mi · 2 hr 19 min · I 40; US 71
8

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 22 sec
Toward AR 365
9

Turn straight onto AR 365

0.4 mi · 36 sec · Mac Arthur Drive
10

Continue on AR 365

1.5 mi · 2 min · Pike Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
11

Enter roundabout onto AR 365

289 ft · 5 sec · West Broadway Street
12

Continue on AR 365

0.4 mi · 48 sec · West Broadway Street
13

Turn right onto US 70

0.5 mi · 42 sec · Broadway Bridge
14

Continue on US 70

0.2 mi · 24 sec · Broadway Street
15

Turn right onto West 3rd Street

0.8 mi · 1 min · West 3rd Street
16

Turn left onto State Capitol

314 ft · 13 sec · State Capitol
17

Continue on State Capitol

440 ft · 20 sec · State Capitol
18

Continue on State Capitol

415 ft · 25 sec · State Capitol
19

Turn sharp left

260 ft · 19 sec
20

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the 3-hour and 27-minute duration, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Leaving Tontitown in the morning, perhaps before peak traffic, will allow for a smooth start. You'll encounter just one designated stop point, but with the drive being primarily highway, you can easily pull over for fuel or a break as needed, especially during the long 139.2-mile stretch on I-40. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge; while the $30 estimate is helpful, it's always wise to top off before embarking on longer highway segments.

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 99.2 miles from Tontitown, AR, or about 1h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 139.2 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 44 miles or 47m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 99.2 miles or 1h 43m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 47m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Tontitown, 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 Tontitown, AR

This is one driving day of about 198.4 miles and 3h 27m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Tontitown, 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 40 for about 139.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 99.2 mi from Tontitown, AR · 1h 43m into the drive

Downtown Delaware, AR, AR

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Delaware, AR

99 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

Alma, AR

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 44 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Delaware, AR

Meal break

The midpoint is around 99.2 miles from Tontitown, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 139.2 miles.

Arriving in Little Rock, AR

The final approach into 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 Little Rock, 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

$29.96 one way

$59.93 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 69 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $32.89 $65.78
premium $4.56 $35.61 $71.22
diesel $5.61 $43.80 $87.61

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$30

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$55–$80

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 69.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 59.5 0 $20.83 $9.52
Efficient EV 49.6 0 $17.36 $7.94
EV Truck/SUV 79.4 0 $27.78 $12.70

Gas CO2

69 kg

EV CO2

23 kg (67% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026

Origin

Tontitown, AR

Evening in Tontitown on Friday

Local time

6:00 PM

CDT

Current temp

75°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Little Rock, AR

Evening in Little Rock on Friday

Local time

6:00 PM

CDT

Current temp

65°F

Partly Cloudy

0 mph 12% chance Live forecast

79°F

Delaware, AR

99 mi in

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

10 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

3h 27m on the road

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Tontitown, AR to Little Rock, AR covers 198.4 miles and takes about 3h 27m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 40, I 49, Pike Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 99.2 miles from Tontitown, AR. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $29.96 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 198.4 miles you will encounter 11 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: at 0.3 miles (US 412 / East Henri de Tonti Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.9 miles (I 49; US 62; US 71): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

The route from Tontitown, AR to Little Rock, AR does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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