Little Rock to Crater of Diamonds

Little Rock is an absolute gem of a city, and if you find yourself visiting here, you have to make the trip over the Crater of Diamonds State Park. The drive from Little Rock to Crater of Diamonds is a very doable day trip and there are multiple other ways to connect without a car.

As mentioned in my guide to Crater of Diamonds, this park is a wonderful place to be. It’s one of the only places in the world where you can keep the diamonds you find, making it a destination for those around the world. If you’re keen to potentially search for diamonds, you need to read my diamond tips at Crater of Diamonds so that you arrive prepared.

How Far Apart is Little Rock and Crater of Diamonds?

The straight distance from Little Rock to Crater of Diamonds is 93 miles, but the most direct route goes right around 110 miles. Taking other forms of transport besides a car will add to the mileage, but will still be reasonable enough for a day trip. For those driving, let’s see how you can connect Crater of Diamonds to Little Rock.

Driving From Little Rock to Crater of Diamonds

There are two main routes to connect Crater of Diamonds and Little Rock, the first being via Arkadelphia. This route contains an even mix of one-lane undivided roads and two-lane divided highways. This route is most of the time the shortest and most recommended route to take, getting you from Little Rock to Crater of Diamonds in just under two hours.

The second route option is via Hot Springs along Route 70. This route contains mostly one-lane undivided roads from Crater of Diamonds to Hot Springs before expanding to a two-lane divided highway. Although this route is longer and generally takes more time, it has its benefits as it passes right through Hot Springs.

How to Connect From Little Rock to Crater of Diamonds Without a Car

If you are keen on visiting Crater of Diamonds but don’t have a car, you’re in luck, as these two places have decent connections. Considering you’re in rural Arkansas, don’t expect a public transportation paradise as cars dominate the state. At least there is some form of connection for those who can’t drive, so let’s see the three alternatives.

1. Uber / Lyft

Uber and Lyft are two of the most convenient options for quick and easy travel. It practically takes the same amount of time as driving yourself but has a downside. Ubers from Little Rock to Crater of Diamonds cost around $150, which is absurd if you’re looking for a cheaper alternative to driving.

2. Amtrak

Don’t get your hopes up too much, as the Amtrak doesn’t connect Little Rock to Crater of Diamonds directly. You have to take the Texas Eagle Train from Union Station in Little Rock to Arkadelphia before driving another 50 minutes to Crater of Diamonds.

The good news is that the train is only $10 each way and trains run daily, but the drawback is that the train to Arkadelphia comes at 3:00 am.

From Arkadelphia, you can find an Uber or Lyft for around $75, making your trip almost half the price. The total length of the trip is around 2.5 hours, which isn’t bad at all. I just don’t know if I can wake up at 3:00 am to catch a train.

The return trip is at a more convenient time and means that you don’t have to stay the night at Crater of Diamonds. The trip is again 2.5 hours and around the same price. These train times mean that you have the entire day to spend at this state park.

For those who can’t drive and are on a tight budget, this is probably your best option. Otherwise, I wouldn’t inconvenience myself this much.

3. Car Rental

The third alternative is to just rent a car, as it’s almost as cheap as the train trip and as convenient as Uber. Car rentals cost anywhere from $80 at Hertz, though gas will cost more. For those who can drive, it’s worth renting a car. Arkansas in general is very car-centric, meaning that it’s extremely difficult to get around without a car.

Things to Do Between Little Rock and Crater of Diamonds

If you decide to take the longer route via Hot Springs, you’re in luck. Hot Springs National Park is one of the most visited places in Arkansas, and for good reason. Hot Springs Mountain Tower provides 360-degree views of the surrounding region, and the countless hotels, restaurants, and shops make for a fabulous stopping point. I talk more about the drive from Crater of Diamonds to Hot Springs to further grasp what it’s like.

For those going via Arkadelphia or on Amtrak, there’s still stuff for you. Although not a tourist destination, Arkadelphia has shops, restaurants, and a few hotels.

Best Time to Travel Between Crater of Diamonds and Little Rock

I cover more on this when mentioning the best time of year to visit Crater of Diamonds, as everything is mostly the same. Winter is generally the least crowded time of year while summer is the most crowded. Spring and fall are generally the best time to visit weather-wise, but winter isn’t too bad on warmer days. Spring is when it rains most, but it’s quite moderate and can actually be beneficial on your diamond-finding journey.

Final thoughts

If you’re in the Little Rock area, Crater of Diamonds is a place you need to visit. Driving is super quick and easy, making a day trip here possible. Although alternatives to driving aren’t ideal, they do exist.

If you’re looking to learn more about Crater of Diamonds, check out my other articles so that you can maximize your trip here!