How far is Kentucky, AR from Van Buren, AR?
The driving distance from Kentucky, AR to Van Buren, AR is about 174.2 miles (280.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 04m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 111.3 miles (179.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 09m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 04m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
City in Arkansas
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Kentucky and Van Buren.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kentucky and Van Buren.
-
1
Start on Old Hot Springs Highway
5.5 mi · 10 min · Old Hot Springs Highway
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2
Continue straight
2048 ft · 48 sec
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3
Turn sharp left
596 ft · 26 sec
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4
Turn straight onto I-30 Frontage Road
1469 ft · 29 sec · I-30 Frontage Road
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5
Take the ramp slight left
157 m · 13 sec
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6
Merge slight left
11.7 mi · 13 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 430 North, US 70: Fort Smith
13.1 mi · 15 min
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Fort Smith, Oklahoma City
1.1 km · 49 sec
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9
Merge slight left
139.4 mi · 2 hr 19 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 540 South, US 71 South: Fort Smith
1.4 km · 1 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward US 64 West: Van Buren
2159 ft · 52 sec
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12
Turn straight onto Alma Highway
1.6 km · 2 min · Alma Highway
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13
Continue on Main Street
3207 ft · 58 sec · Main Street
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14
Continue on East Main Street
60 m · 4 sec · East Main Street
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Kentucky and Van Buren.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 40 West
Merge slight left
139 mi · 02h 19m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Kentucky and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Van Buren.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Kentucky to Van Buren?
The road trip is about 174.2 miles (280.3 km) and usually takes 03h 04m 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?
Atkins is a useful midpoint, sitting about 87.1 miles from Kentucky and 87.2 miles from Van Buren.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 111.3 miles (179.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 62.9 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 10:50 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.29 one way or $46.58 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Kentucky and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Van Buren.
Stop Ideas Near Atkins
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Atkins.
Little Rock Union Station
Malvern station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Kentucky and Van Buren. Straight-line distance: 111.29 mi (179.11 km).
#1 Kentucky
Kentucky is a place in Arkansas, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 34.6084300, -92.6612700 |
| Altitude | 105 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Van Buren
8th president of the United States (1782-1862)
| Population | 23,812 |
| Coordinates | 35.4367600, -94.3482700 |
| Altitude | 126 |
| Country | United States |
End: Van Buren (-94.34827, 35.43676)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 280 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 48m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 21m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 29m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 54m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 10m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $23.29 | $46.58 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $26.19 | $52.39 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $28.44 | $56.89 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $33.30 | $66.60 |
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 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.