How far is Van Buren, AR from Kentucky, AR?

The driving distance from Van Buren, AR to Kentucky, AR is about 154.7 miles (249 km), with a travel time of about 02h 36m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 111.3 miles (179.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 12m 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
154.72 mi
02h 36m
Flight
111.29 mi
179.11 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Van Buren.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
111.29 mi
Kilometers
179.11 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
154.72 mi
Kilometers
248.99 km
Drive Time
02h 36m

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 36m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Kentucky
Sat, May 30, 2:19 PM CDT
Return by in Van Buren
Sat, May 30, 4:55 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Van Buren
2026-05-30T11:43
Arrive Kentucky
Sat, May 30, 2:19 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 36m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:36 AM to 12:36 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:18 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Van Buren
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
Atkins
AR

City in Arkansas

From Van Buren
86.6 mi
01h 18m
To Kentucky
68.1 mi
01h 18m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
85°F
Saturday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, May 30 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph SE
Destination
84°F
Saturday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, May 30 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 mph

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Van Buren and Kentucky.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Van Buren and Kentucky.

  1. 1

    Start on East Main Street

    1 km · 1 min · East Main Street

  2. 2

    Continue on Alma Highway

    1.5 km · 1 min · Alma Highway

  3. 3

    Continue on Alma Highway

    1524 ft · 26 sec · Alma Highway

  4. 4

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 540 North: Oklahoma City, Little Rock

    1145 ft · 28 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    2030 ft · 27 sec

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Little Rock, Memphis

    139.8 mi · 2 hr 20 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward I 430: Texarkana

    2643 ft · 41 sec

  8. 8

    Continue straight

    12.3 mi · 14 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on I 30 West: Texarkana

    12.1 mi · 13 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward AR 5, AR 35: Benton

    680 ft · 13 sec

  11. 11

    Turn straight onto I-30 Frontage Road

    1962 ft · 37 sec · I-30 Frontage Road

  12. 12

    Turn slight right onto Old Hot Springs Highway

    979 ft · 20 sec · Old Hot Springs Highway

  13. 13

    Continue on Old Hot Springs Highway

    5.5 mi · 10 min · Old Hot Springs Highway

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Old Hot Springs Highway

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Van Buren and Kentucky.

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
14 steps
2 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 40 East
140 mi · 90%
I 430
12.8 mi · 8%
I 30 West
12.1 mi · 8%
Old Hot Springs Highway
5.73 mi · 4%
Alma Highway
1.23 mi · 1%
East Main Street
0.64 mi
Longest Stretch

I 40 East

Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Little Rock, Memphis

140 mi · 02h 20m

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 36m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 12m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+43.4 mi
111.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Atkins
01h 18m from Van Buren
Leave By
1:18 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Van Buren and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Kentucky.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Van Buren to Kentucky?

The road trip is about 154.7 miles (249 km) and usually takes 02h 36m 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?

Atkins is a useful midpoint, sitting about 86.6 miles from Van Buren and 68.1 miles from Kentucky.

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 43.4 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 1:18 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.68 one way or $41.35 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 48.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Van Buren and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Kentucky.

Stop Ideas Near Atkins

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

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

RAIL

Little Rock Union Station

81 mi away
1400 West Markham Street
RAIL

Malvern station

99 mi away
200 East First St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Van Buren and Kentucky. Straight-line distance: 111.29 mi (179.11 km).

Van Buren

#1 Van Buren

8th president of the United States (1782-1862)

Population23,812
Coordinates35.4367600, -94.3482700
Altitude126
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Kentucky

Kentucky is a place in Arkansas, United States.

Population0
Coordinates34.6084300, -92.6612700
Altitude105
CountryUnited States
Start: East Main Street (-94.348234, 35.436756)
End: Old Hot Springs Highway (-92.661303, 34.608261)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 249 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 09m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 52m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 05m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 34m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 12m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 55m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.46 gal
20.67 L · about $20.68
Round trip
$41.35
10.92 gal · 41.34 L
Estimated CO2
48.5 kg one way
Round trip: 97 kg / 214 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $20.68 $41.35
Mid-grade $4.26 $23.25 $46.51
Premium $4.63 $25.25 $50.51
Diesel $5.42 $29.57 $59.13

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

There is no time difference between Van Buren and Kentucky. The current time is 11:43:21.

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.