Travel Tips & FAQs
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Arkansas Travel: Know Before You Go
Whether you’re planning a road trip or flying in for the weekend, exploring Arkansas is easier than you think.
Planning your trip to Arkansas? From road trips to quick flights, The Natural State is well within reach. Thanks to its central location, Arkansas is an easy drive from many major cities across the South and Midwest. You can be here within a half-day’s drive from places like Dallas, Nashville, St. Louis or Oklahoma City — making it perfect for a road trip or weekend getaway. Scenic highways and plenty of small-town charm along the way make the journey just as enjoyable as the destination.
Prefer to fly? Arkansas is accessible by direct flights from cities including Chicago, Atlanta, Denver and Houston — most in three hours or less! Even flights with a quick connection can get you here with ease, offering flexible options from nearly anywhere in the U.S. Whether you’re coming for outdoor adventures, food and culture or a relaxing escape, getting to Arkansas — and around it — is quick, easy and accessible. Check the map below for estimated travel times by car and flight to help you plan your visit!
Plan Your Route
Direct Flight Times
(fastest nonstop flight)-
Chicago:2 hrs (fastest nonstop flight)
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Denver:2 hrs (fastest nonstop flight)
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Salt Lake City:3 hrs (fastest nonstop flight)
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Las Vegas:3 hrs (fastest nonstop flight)
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Los Angeles:5 hrs (fastest flight with stops)
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Phoenix:2.5 hrs (fastest nonstop flight)
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Houston:1.5 hrs (fastest nonstop flight)
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Washington, D.C:3 hrs (fastest nonstop flight)
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Atlanta:1.5 hrs (fastest nonstop flight)
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Orlando:2.5 hrs (fastest nonstop flight)
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Miami:3 hrs (fastest nonstop flight)
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Charlotte:2 hrs (fastest nonstop flight)
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Detroit:3.5 (fastest flight with stops)
Direct Drive Times
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Dallas:5 hrs / 320 miles
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OKC:5 hrs / 340 miles
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Tulsa:4 hrs / 275 miles
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St. Louis:5.5 hrs / 350 miles
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Kansas City:6 hours / 425 miles
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Nashville:5 hrs / 350 miles
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Memphis:2 hrs/ 135 miles
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Jackson (MS):4.5 hrs / 265 miles
Flying to Arkansas
What are the main airports in Arkansas?
Clinton National Airport (LIT) in Little Rock and Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA) are the two largest airports in Arkansas.
Which cities offer nonstop flights to Arkansas?
Major airports in Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Las Vegas, Miami, New York, Phoenix and Washington serve direct flights to both Little Rock and Northwest Arkansas. In addition, Little Rock has direct flights to Nashville, Orlando, St. Louis and Salt Lake City while Northwest Arkansas offers flights to Los Angeles and Minneapolis.
How long are flights from major U.S. cities?
Arkansas’ central location in the U.S. means that the longest domestic flights rarely exceed 3.5 hours.
Can I fly into Arkansas from outside the U.S.?
Yes, but international direct flights are not available at either Clinton National Airport (LIT) in Little Rock or Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA).
Is Little Rock the only airport I can fly into?
Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA) near Bentonville offers an average of 50 flights a day.
Driving to Arkansas
What major U.S. cities are near Arkansas?
Memphis, Tennessee, is the closest major city, being just on the other side of the Mississippi River from Arkansas. Shreveport, Louisiana, is 40 miles away from the state line of Arkansas. Tulsa, Oklahoma, is 90 miles away from Northwest Arkansas. Dallas and Oklahoma City are both 180 miles from Arkansas, and the two biggest cities in Missouri, Kansas City and St. Louis, are both 215 miles away from Arkansas’ northern border.
What major highways lead into/through Arkansas?
Arkansas is served by five major interstates, totaling about 750 miles: I-30, I-40, I-49, I-55 and I-57.
Are scenic routes available for road trips?
Yes! There are a dozen scenic byways, including Arkansas Scenic 7 Byway, Great River Road National Scenic Byway and Talimena Scenic Drive National Scenic Byway. The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) has the complete list on its Scenic Byways web page.
Are there toll roads in Arkansas?
There are no toll roads in Arkansas. There aren’t any toll bridges either. You may have to put a quarter into a parking meter in some municipalities.
Getting Around Arkansas
Do I need a car to get around Arkansas?
While public transportation can be found in Arkansas’ major cities, many of the state’s attractions are located in the rural areas of the state. Though private ride-share services may be available, an automobile does come in hand in those areas.
How do I rent a car?
All major car rental companies have offices in Arkansas, including at the state’s major and regional airports.
What public transportation services are available in Arkansas?
From buses to streetcars, multiple regional transit agencies throughout the state operate public transportation services that are easily accessible. To find your ride, see ARDOT’s Public Transportation web page.
Are Uber and Lyft available in Arkansas?
Both ride-share companies offer their services in the state, as do smaller and local companies. There are no restrictions on where and when they can operate.
Where can I find travel guides or local maps?
You’re already in the right place for travel guides! See our Publications page to find guides on everything from general travel to motorcycle routes to where to find the coolest waterfalls. Read them online or get a free printed copy sent to you.
You’ll also find guides and maps (and even a free cup of coffee) at any of our 13 Welcome Centers found around the state.
How can I get a tourist map?
Request a free Arkansas highways map from our friends at the Arkansas Department of Transportation. City maps, scenic byways maps and wildflower routes can be found on their general Maps page.
Where can I see current road conditions for local roads?
ARDOT is continuously updating and adding features to its IDrive Arkansas site. Road conditions, weather, traffic volume and current road closures can all be found there as well views from the more than 500 traffic cameras found across the state.
