How far is Hot Springs, AR from Forrest City, AR?

The driving distance from Hot Springs, AR to Forrest City, AR is about 145.2 miles (233.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 39m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 133.2 miles (214.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 18m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
145.18 mi
02h 39m
Flight
133.23 mi
214.42 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Hot Springs.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
133.23 mi
Kilometers
214.42 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
145.18 mi
Kilometers
233.64 km
Drive Time
02h 39m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 02h 39m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Forrest City
Fri, May 1, 1:50 AM CDT
Return by in Hot Springs
Fri, May 1, 4:30 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Hot Springs
2026-04-30T23:11
Arrive Forrest City
Fri, May 1, 1:50 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 39m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:39 AM to 12:39 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:12 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Hot Springs
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Lonoke
AR

City in and county seat of Lonoke County, Arkansas

From Hot Springs
72.5 mi
01h 19m
To Forrest City
72.7 mi
01h 19m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
68°F
Thursday

Mostly Cloudy

Starts
Thu, Apr 30 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 mph ENE
Destination
68°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 30 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 mph NE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Hot Springs and Forrest City.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Hot Springs and Forrest City.

  1. 1

    Start on West Grand Avenue

    25 m · 9 sec · West Grand Avenue

  2. 2

    Continue on West Grand Avenue

    24.2 mi · 30 min · West Grand Avenue

  3. 3

    Keep slight left

    26.9 mi · 30 min

  4. 4

    Keep slight right to continue on East Belt Freeway

    10 mi · 12 min · East Belt Freeway

  5. 5

    Take the exit right toward I 40: Memphis, Fort Smith

    1161 ft · 28 sec

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Memphis

    2525 ft · 1 min

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    81 mi · 1 hr 21 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward AR 1B South: Forrest City

    2036 ft · 44 sec

  9. 9

    Turn straight onto Washington Street

    1.7 mi · 3 min · Washington Street

  10. 10

    Turn right onto West Broadway Avenue

    1449 ft · 26 sec · West Broadway Avenue

  11. 11

    Turn right onto North Division

    9 m · 1 sec · North Division

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Division

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Hot Springs and Forrest City.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
12 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 40 East
81.5 mi · 56%
West Grand Avenue
51.1 mi · 35%
East Belt Freeway
10 mi · 7%
Washington Street
1.74 mi · 1%
AR 1B South
0.39 mi
West Broadway Avenue
0.27 mi
Longest Stretch

I 40 East

Merge slight left

81 mi · 01h 21m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 39m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 18m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+12 mi
133.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lonoke
01h 19m from Hot Springs
Leave By
1:12 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Cloudy leaving Hot Springs and Partly Sunny near Forrest City.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Hot Springs to Forrest City?

The road trip is about 145.2 miles (233.6 km) and usually takes 02h 39m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Lonoke is a useful midpoint, sitting about 72.5 miles from Hot Springs and 72.7 miles from Forrest City.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 133.2 miles (214.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 12 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:12 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.39 one way or $38.78 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 45.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Hot Springs and Partly Sunny near Forrest City.

Stop Ideas Near Lonoke

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Lonoke, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Lonoke.

RAIL

Little Rock Union Station

36 mi away
1400 West Markham Street
RAIL

Malvern station

96 mi away
200 East First St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Hot Springs and Forrest City. Straight-line distance: 133.23 mi (214.42 km).

Hot Springs

#1 Hot Springs

County seat and city in Garland County, Arkansas, USA

Population38,939
Coordinates34.5037000, -93.0551800
Altitude182
CountryUnited States
Forrest City

#2 Forrest City

City in St.

Population13,820
Coordinates35.0081500, -90.7898300
Altitude77
CountryUnited States
Start: Hot Springs (-93.05518, 34.5037)
End: Forrest City (-90.78983, 35.00815)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 234 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 50m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 37m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 54m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 25m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 04m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 48m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.12 gal
19.39 L · about $19.39
Round trip
$38.78
10.24 gal · 38.78 L
Estimated CO2
45.5 kg one way
Round trip: 91 kg / 201 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $19.39 $38.78
Mid-grade $4.26 $21.81 $43.61
Premium $4.63 $23.68 $47.36
Diesel $5.42 $27.72 $55.45

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Arkansas · May 01, 2026

There is no time difference between Hot Springs and Forrest City. The current time is 23:11:49.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.