Major city · United States
JonesboroJonesboro, Arkansas
Give Jonesboro one night, or use it as a cheap stop on I-555 between Memphis and the Ozarks: two half-days covers the museums and Crowley's Ridge.
Jonesboro is the biggest city in the Arkansas Delta, about 90 minutes from Memphis on I-555. It is a college town (Arkansas State University) with two free campus museums, a nature centre on Crowley's Ridge and a state park 30 minutes north. There is no downtown sight cluster, so you need a car. Most travellers sleep here once on the Memphis–Missouri run; a full day is enough for the city itself.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (heat and humidity), late Dec–Feb (ice risk on I-555)
- Airports
- MEM · JBR
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Jonesboro911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Jonesboro, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyJonesboro is a normal mid-size US city: violent crime is concentrated and rarely touches visitors.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMEM Memphis International (The practical gateway: about 90 min by car on I-55 and I-555.
- Getting aroundA car is close to essential: sights sit 5–15 min apart and buses are limited.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–6
- BeerDraught beer (membership rules may apply)$5–8
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry (University Museum, Bradbury Art Museum)Donation welcomed at the University Museum.Free
- Budget bedBudget motel room, a night, per roomUS$60
- Mid-range bedBudget motel room, a night, per roomUS$85
- High-end bedBudget motel room, a night, per roomUS$120
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$70 · Mid US$120 · High US$220
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MEM Memphis International (The practical gateway: about 90 min by car on I-55 and I-555. Rental cars at the airport.) · JBR Jonesboro Municipal (Small field with non-stop service to Nashville and St. Louis; fares from about $78 one-way (check schedules and fares).)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Feb
Avoid
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Mar
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Apr
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
May
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jun
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jul
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Oct
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Nov
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Dec
Avoid*
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Best: Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C) low), wettest May (10 rain days), driest Aug (7). Averages, not a forecast.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
Jonesboro: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
8 rd
Feb
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
8 rd
Mar
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
9 rd
Apr
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
9 rd
May
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
10 rd
Jun
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
7 rd
Sep
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
7 rd
Oct
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
7 rd
Nov
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
8 rd
Dec
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
A car is close to essential: sights sit 5–15 min apart and buses are limited. From I-555 use Southwest Drive, Caraway Road or Stadium Boulevard; note that several streets change name along their length (US 63 becomes I-555). Rideshare exists but waits can be long at night.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Crowley's Ridge State Park, Paragould
goDoor to door: About 35–45 min
US 49 and AR-168 north by car
Free entry; 1930s stone and log buildings, short trails. Pair with a Paragould lunch.
Lake Frierson State Park
goDoor to door: About 20 min
AR-141 north by car
Free; fishing, boat rental and a short lakeside walk. Half a day at most.
Memphis, Tennessee
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
I-555 south to I-55, or the daily bus/Amtrak options from Memphis
Better as a base than a day trip: sleep in Memphis and stop here on the way.
West Memphis
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
I-555 south to I-55
Mostly a highway stop; useful only as a break on the Memphis run.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
South Caraway Road
The main chain-hotel strip, 5 min off I-555; easiest for one night with a car.
Highland Drive / Mall at Turtle Creek
Shopping and restaurants; 10 min from the interstate.
Downtown / Main Street
Fewer beds, more local feel; walkable to a handful of bars and cafés.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–95 excl. bed
- Mid
- $95–160 excl. bed
- High
- $160+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Chain hotel double room1 × 1 night × US$140 | US$140 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$120 | US$240 |
| Rental car, one day, compact1 × US$65 · check | US$65 |
| Fuel, about 150 km of local driving1 × US$15 · check | US$15 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$20 | US$40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$50 |
| Trip total≈ US$275 per person per day, bed included | US$550 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax is added at the till. Flights and car rental excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–6 |
| Barbecue plate with sides | $14–22 |
| Pizza, one large | $16–26 |
| Draught beer (membership rules may apply) | $5–8 |
| Museum entry (University Museum, Bradbury Art Museum)Donation welcomed at the University Museum. | Free |
| State park entry | Free |
| Rideshare across towncheck | $12–20 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Jonesboro is in a dry county: many restaurants and clubs serve alcohol only to members, so ask before you order.
- Summer heat and humidity are real; do the trails and nature centre early.
- Winter ice can close I-555 and US 63 bridges for hours: check road conditions before driving.
- Distances between sights are longer than they look on a map: plan 10–15 min per hop.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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JonesboroJonesboro, Arkansas
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No embassies in Jonesboro; your country's nearest consulate or embassy is in a major hub such as Atlanta, Chicago or Washington, DC (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- MEM airport → Jonesboro by car: about 90 min, roughly 110 km (68 mi) on I-55 and I-555 (check)about 90 min, roughly 68 mi (110 km) on I-55 and I-555 (check)
- JBR → Nashville / St. Louis, one way: from about $78 / $84 (check)
- Rideshare across town: $12–20 (check)
Say or show
- Where is I-555? — Where is the interstate?
- Do you serve alcohol, or is it members only? — Is alcohol served here?
- Check, please — The bill, please
- Do you take cards? — Can I pay by card?
Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% for taxis and rideshares.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Jonesboro. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (heat and humidity), late Dec–Feb (ice risk on I-555) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for MEM and JBR: last sensible arrival times, rental-car desk hours, taxi and rideshare fallback.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: ASU campus, downtown Main Street, Highland Drive and the Mall at Turtle Creek, Crowley's Ridge nature centre.
- Place pages with verified hours (University Museum, Bradbury Art Museum, Forrest L. Wood Crowley's Ridge Nature Center) and eat pages with last orders.
- Dry-county and winter-ice fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialCity of Jonesboro
- officialArkansas State University Museum
- officialBradbury Art Museum
- officialArkansas State Parks — Crowley's Ridge
- officialArkansas State Parks — Lake Frierson
- officialArkansas Game and Fish — Forrest L. Wood Crowley's Ridge Nature Center
- secondaryWikivoyage: Jonesboro (Arkansas), revision 5329467 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Jonesboro
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