Interstate 30: Texarkana to North Little Rock ~ Arkansas

Join us for a 143-mile ride along Interstate 30 as we journey from the Texas–Arkansas border at Texarkana to the capital region of North Little Rock. This eastbound route slices across southwest and central Arkansas, connecting rural towns, historic communities, and eventually, the bustling Little Rock metropolitan area. Whether you’re passing through or planning a regional road trip, this stretch of I-30 offers a blend of scenic views, small-town charm, and big-city access that’s worth the drive.

Our trip begins at the Arkansas state line, where Interstate 30 leaves Texarkana, Texas, and enters Texarkana, Arkansas. Just after the state line, it’s worth stopping at the Arkansas Welcome Center—a well-maintained rest area with local travel information and clean amenities. As we continue northeast on I-30, the highway cruises through the outskirts of Texarkana, lined with the usual roadside mix of gas stations, chain restaurants, and industrial infrastructure. Soon, the city fades behind us, and the road opens up into the gently rolling terrain of southwest Arkansas.

The first notable stop along the way is Hope, best known as the birthplace of former President Bill Clinton. If you’re up for a detour, Hope’s historic downtown and President Clinton Birthplace Home National Historic Site are just a short drive from the highway. From there, I-30 carries us through Prescott and onward to Arkadelphia, home to Ouachita Baptist University and Henderson State University, as well as access to DeGray Lake Resort State Park—a great spot for boating, camping, or just stretching your legs with a lakeside view.

Back on the road, Malvern comes next, known as the “Brick Capital of the World” and a gateway to Hot Springs via U.S. Route 270. While Malvern itself is a quieter town, the surrounding area offers a glimpse of the Ouachita Mountains as the terrain begins to subtly change. Shortly after Malvern, we enter Saline County, where the interstate widens to three lanes in each direction as we approach the Little Rock metro area. This section brings more frequent traffic, especially around Benton and Bryant, two of the fastest-growing suburbs in Arkansas.

As we continue northeast, we reach Alexander and then the southern edge of Little Rock proper. Just past here, I-30 intersects with Interstate 430, which offers a western bypass around the city. But we stay the course, heading toward the heart of the capital. The skyline of Little Rock emerges in the distance as we pass through the I-440/I-530 interchange

The final leg of our drive turns north at the complex I-440/I-530 interchange, curving around the southeastern edge of downtown Little Rock. It’s a short distance to the I-630 Interchange—a vital east-west route connecting to the downtown area and state government district. From there, depending on your exit, you can access the River Market District and the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts. Crossing the Arkansas River on the I-30 bridge, we enter North Little Rock, a city with its own attractions like Dickey-Stephens Park, Argenta Arts District, and Verizon Arena. We end our journey at the interchange with Interstate 40, where I-30 reaches its eastern terminus.

Whether you’re traveling for business, pleasure, or passing through on a longer trek, the drive from Texarkana to North Little Rock showcases a diverse slice of Arkansas—rural charm, college towns, river valleys, and urban sprawl, all tied together by a major east-west corridor that has long served as a backbone for travel and commerce in the Natural State.

00:00 – Texarkana
00:46 – Jefferson Ave (Exit 1)
02:17 – Four States Fair Pkwy (Exit 2)
02:57 – I-49: Houston/Shreveport/Ft Smith (Exit 3)
05:40 – AR-108: Mandeville (Exit 7)

23:46 – Hope
23:50 – US-278: Hope/Nashville (Exit 30)
24:55 – AR-29: Hope (Exit 31)

34:45 – Prescott
34:55 – US-321/AR-24: Prescott (Exit 44)
36:34 – AR-19: Prescott (Exit 46)

57:00- Arkadelphia
57:05 – AR-8/AR-26/AR-51: Arkadelphia (Exit 73)

1:00:38 – Caddo Valley
1:00:48 – AR-7: Caddo Valley/Hot Springs (Exit 78)

1:14:35 – Malvern
1:14:57 – AR-84/AR-171 (Exit 97)
1:15:57 – US-270B: Malvern (Exit 98A)
1:16:10 – US-270: Hot Springs (Exit 98B)

1:16:28 – Rockport
1:17:09 – US-270: Malvern/Sheridan (Exit 99)

1:26:21 – US-70: Hot Springs (Exit 111)

1:27:45 – Benton
1:28:34 – US-67/AR-229: Haskell (Exit 114)
1:29:55 – Sevier St/South St (Exit 116)
1:31:20 – AR-5/AR-35: Benton (Exit 117)
1:32:10 – Congo Road (Exit 118)
1:34:25 – Alcoa Rd (Exit 121)

1:34:48 – Bryant
1:36:10 – AR-183: Reynolds Rd/Bryant/Bauxite (Exit 123)
1:37:25- Bryant Pkwy (Exit 124)
1:38:52 – AR-111/Alexander Rd (Exit 126)

1:39:14 – Little Rock
1:40:55 – Mabelvale W Rd/Otter Creek Rd/Bass Pro Pkwy (Exit 128)
1:41:21 – I-430: Fort Smith (Exit 129)
1:42:21- AR-338: Baseline Rd/Mabelvale (Exit 130)
1:43:30 – Chicot Rd (Exit 131)
1:43:55 – University Ave (Exit 132)
1:44:31 – Geyer Springs Rd (Exit 133)
1:45:36- Scott Hamilton Rd (Exit 134)
1:46:40 – 65th Street (Exit 135)
1:48:37 – I-440: Memphis/St Louis (Exit 138A)
1:48:54- I-530/US-65/US-167: Pine Bluff (Exit 138B)
1:49:32 – AR-365/Roosevelt Rd (Exit 139A)
1:50:14 – I-630 (Exit 139B)
1:50:39 – Downtown Little Rock (Exit 140)
1:51:24 – US-70: Broadway St (Exit 141)

1:51:41 – North Little Rock
1:52:40 – Curtis Sykes Dr (Exit 142)
1:52:50 – I-40/US-65/US-67/US-167/AR-107: Ft Smith/St Louis/Memphis/JFK Blvd (Exits 143A&B)
1:53:30 – Eastern Terminus of Interstate 30

🎵 Music: Track List