How far is Huntsville, AR from Little Rock, AR?

Here are the driving distances between Huntsville, AR and Little Rock, AR:

  • Taking I-40 E, the most direct highway route, it is approximately 172 miles (277 km) from Huntsville to Little Rock. This drive takes around 2 hours 45 minutes in normal traffic.
  • Driving on US-412 E and US-67 S through Clinton is a slightly longer route at 178 miles (286 km). This way takes around 3 hours to drive.
  • Taking more backroad routes on AR-23 S and AR-9 S adds even more distance, approximately 198 miles (319 km) and over 3 hours 30 minutes drive time.
  • As the crow flies, the straight line distance between Huntsville and Little Rock is about 145 miles (233 km).

So in summary, the typical driving distance by highways between Huntsville and Little Rock is 172-178 miles, taking around 2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours under normal conditions. The shortest direct distance is about 145 miles as the crow flies. Additional backroads can add 20-30 extra miles to the drive.

Fastest route

The driving distance between Huntsville, Arkansas and Little Rock, Arkansas is 173 miles (278.42 kilometers) via I-40 E. The drive time is about 3 hours and 4 minutes.

Here are the steps for the most direct route:

  1. Head north on Main St/US-82 E toward 3rd St.
  2. Turn right at the 1st cross street onto 3rd St.
  3. Continue onto US-82 E.
  4. Keep left at the fork to continue on US-82 E, follow signs for Montgomery.
  5. Take exit 143A on the left to merge onto I-40 E toward Memphis.
  6. Keep right at the fork to continue on I-40 E, follow signs for Little Rock.
  7. Take exit 35 to merge onto AR-23 N/State Hwy 23 N toward Huntsville.
  8. Merge onto AR-23 N/State Hwy 23 NContinue to follow AR-23 N.
  9. Turn right onto S Harris St.

There are also a few other routes you can take, but they will all take longer than the I-40 E route.

Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
172.97 mi
03h 01m
Flight
123.49 mi
198.74 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Huntsville.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
123.49 mi
Kilometers
198.74 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
172.97 mi
Kilometers
278.37 km
Drive Time
03h 01m

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 03h 01m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Little Rock
Sat, May 2, 2:33 PM CDT
Return by in Huntsville
Sat, May 2, 5:34 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Huntsville
2026-05-02T11:32
Arrive Little Rock
Sat, May 2, 2:33 PM CDT
Route Timing
03h 01m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:01 AM to 11:01 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:58 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Huntsville
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
London
AR

City in Pope County, Arkansas, United States

From Huntsville
85.4 mi
01h 30m
To Little Rock
87.5 mi
01h 30m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
64°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, May 2 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph N
Destination
67°F
Saturday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Sat, May 2 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph N

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Huntsville and Little Rock.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Huntsville and Little Rock.

  1. 1

    Start on West Main Street

    48 m · 4 sec · West Main Street

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn right onto West Main Street

    1875 ft · 39 sec · West Main Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto South Harris Street

    20.6 mi · 30 min · South Harris Street

  4. 4

    Keep slight right

    1.9 mi · 3 min

  5. 5

    Turn slight right onto 5th Street

    2.1 mi · 3 min · 5th Street

  6. 6

    Turn left

    24.5 mi · 36 min

  7. 7

    Take the ramp left

    1643 ft · 40 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    117 mi · 1 hr 58 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward AR 365

    911 ft · 22 sec

  10. 10

    Turn straight onto Mac Arthur Drive

    2043 ft · 37 sec · Mac Arthur Drive

  11. 11

    Continue on Pike Avenue

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Pike Avenue

  12. 12

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward West Broadway Street

    88 m · 5 sec · West Broadway Street

  13. 13

    Exit the roundabout onto West Broadway Street

    2262 ft · 49 sec · West Broadway Street

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Broadway Bridge

    2506 ft · 42 sec · Broadway Bridge

  15. 15

    Continue on Broadway Street

    1089 ft · 24 sec · Broadway Street

  16. 16

    Turn right onto West 3rd Street

    1.3 km · 2 min · West 3rd Street

  17. 17

    Turn left onto State Capitol

    96 m · 14 sec · State Capitol

  18. 18

    Continue on State Capitol

    134 m · 20 sec · State Capitol

  19. 19

    Continue on State Capitol

    126 m · 26 sec · State Capitol

  20. 20

    Turn sharp left

    79 m · 19 sec

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Huntsville and Little Rock.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
21 steps
11 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
1 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
5th Street
119 mi · 69%
South Harris Street
22.5 mi · 13%
Pike Avenue
1.48 mi · 1%
West 3rd Street
0.79 mi
West Broadway Street
0.48 mi
Broadway Bridge
0.47 mi
Longest Stretch

5th Street

Merge slight left

117 mi · 01h 58m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
03h 01m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 02m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+49.5 mi
123.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
London
01h 30m from Huntsville
Leave By
10:58 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Huntsville and Partly Sunny near Little Rock.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Huntsville to Little Rock?

The road trip is about 173 miles (278.4 km) and usually takes 03h 01m in normal driving conditions.

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

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

London is a useful midpoint, sitting about 85.4 miles from Huntsville and 87.5 miles from Little Rock.

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

The direct path is about 123.5 miles (198.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 49.5 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:58 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.10 one way or $46.20 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Huntsville and Partly Sunny near Little Rock.

Stop Ideas Near London

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around London, 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 London.

RAIL

Little Rock Union Station

109 mi away
1400 West Markham Street
RAIL

Malvern station

114 mi away
200 East First St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Huntsville and Little Rock. Straight-line distance: 123.49 mi (198.74 km).

Huntsville

#1 Huntsville

City in Arkansas, USA

Population2,599
Coordinates36.0861900, -93.7413000
Altitude463
CountryUnited States
Little Rock

#2 Little Rock

The capital of Arkansas.

Population197,866
Coordinates34.7464800, -92.2895900
Altitude102
CountryUnited States
Start: West Main Street (-93.741335, 36.086216)
End: (-92.289581, 34.74648)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 278 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 45m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 19m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 27m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 52m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 28m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 09m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.1 gal
23.1 L · about $23.10
Round trip
$46.20
12.2 gal · 46.2 L
Estimated CO2
54.2 kg one way
Round trip: 108.4 kg / 239 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $23.10 $46.20
Mid-grade $4.26 $25.98 $51.96
Premium $4.63 $28.21 $56.43
Diesel $5.42 $33.03 $66.06

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 02, 2026

There is no time difference between Huntsville and Little Rock. The current time is 11:32:14.

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.