Origin
Walnut Ridge, AR
Evening in Walnut Ridge on Sunday
Local time
8:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Walnut Ridge, AR to Kentucky, AR
Drive Time
2h 28m
Distance
159.1 mi
256 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 18m
★
6 AM
2h 28m
8 AM
2h 48m
10 AM
2h 35m
12 PM
2h 33m
3 PM
2h 36m
5 PM
2h 47m
8 PM
2h 22m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kentucky, AR
Owen.outdoors
Trip Overview
Spanning 159.1 miles across Arkansas, this trip from Walnut Ridge to Kentucky takes approximately 2 hours and 28 minutes of driving time. Because the duration is relatively short, you can easily complete this journey as a comfortable day trip without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend around $22 on fuel, making this a budget-friendly excursion within the Southeast region. You will navigate via I-30 West, head through Texarkana, and utilize AR-5 to reach your destination. It is a straightforward route that keeps you within the same state, allowing for a predictable and manageable travel experience.
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
79.6 miles from Walnut Ridge, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 14m into the drive .
Drive Character
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate haul, as this route features zero highway miles. You will find no long, uninterrupted stretches on I-30 West, meaning your focus will be consistently required on the road ahead. Navigating through Texarkana and onto AR-5 requires frequent adjustments and attention to local transitions. Because the entire 159.1-mile distance consists of local roads, you should anticipate a hands-on driving experience that changes pace significantly compared to typical high-speed travel. This is a journey defined by its technical nature and local character.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 11 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 30 West is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Walnut Ridge, AR to Kentucky, AR is easy. At 2h 28m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Walnut Ridge, AR to Kentucky, AR is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 30 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Texarkana | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| AR 5 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I-30 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Old Hot Springs Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
I 30 West
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Walnut Ridge, AR and Kentucky, AR.
1
Start on West Main Street
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
2
Take the ramp right
56 mi
·
1 hr
3
Continue straight
67 mi
·
1 hr 7 min
4
Merge slight left
0.9 mi
·
1 min
5
Take the exit slight left toward I 30 West, US 65 South, US 67 South, US 167 South: Little Rock
4.9 mi
·
6 min
·
I 30 West, US 65 South, US 67 South, US 167 South: Little Rock
6
Keep slight right to continue on Texarkana
21 mi
·
23 min
·
Texarkana
7
Take the exit slight right toward AR 5, AR 35: Benton
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
AR 5, AR 35: Benton
8
Turn straight onto I-30 Frontage Road
0.4 mi
·
37 sec
·
I-30 Frontage Road
9
Turn slight right onto Old Hot Springs Highway
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
Old Hot Springs Highway
10
Continue on Old Hot Springs Highway
5.5 mi
·
9 min
·
Old Hot Springs Highway
11
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a 2-hour and 28-minute drive, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best. With no major highway segments, it is wise to account for the turn-heavy nature of the route when estimating your arrival time, as your average speed may be lower than on an interstate. Keep your fuel budget of $22 in mind, though filling up before you leave Walnut Ridge is a smart way to avoid searching for stations during the more local, winding sections of AR-5. Because there are no designated stops provided, pack your own snacks and water to avoid needing to break your momentum. Prioritize daylight hours for the drive to ensure better visibility while navigating the local road network.
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 79.6 miles from Walnut Ridge, AR, or about 1h 14m into the drive.
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 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 79.6 miles or 1h 14m 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 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kentucky, AR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Walnut Ridge, 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 Walnut Ridge, AR
This is one driving day of about 159.1 miles and 2h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Walnut Ridge, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 79.6 mi from Walnut Ridge, AR · 1h 14m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
80 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 79.6 miles from Walnut Ridge, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Kentucky, AR
The final approach into Kentucky, 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 Kentucky, 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
$24.32 one way
$48.64 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
56 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $26.68 | $53.35 |
| premium | $4.61 | $28.88 | $57.75 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $35.35 | $70.69 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 47.7 | 0 | $16.71 | $7.64 |
| Efficient EV | 39.8 | 0 | $13.92 | $6.36 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 63.6 | 0 | $22.27 | $10.18 |
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 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
Kentucky, AR
Evening in Kentucky on Sunday
Local time
8:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
59°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
22 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
2h 28m 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 Walnut Ridge, AR to Kentucky, AR covers 159.1 miles and takes about 2h 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 30 West, Texarkana, AR 5. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 79.6 miles from Walnut Ridge, AR. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $24.32 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.
The drive from Walnut Ridge, AR to Kentucky, AR is easy. At 2h 28m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Walnut Ridge, AR to Kentucky, AR is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Walnut Ridge, AR to Kentucky, AR does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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