Leave Marlow around 6:00 AM, following US-70 toward Oklahoma City and then I-40 east toward Little Rock and Memphis. It is a long first leg—roughly 8–9 hours of wheel time before sightseeing—so top off the tank before leaving and plan a quick coffee and fuel stop rather than trying to make the entire drive at once. Your first substantial stop is the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum in downtown Oklahoma City; allow about 90 minutes. The outdoor memorial is generally accessible throughout the day, while museum admission is typically around $15–20 for adults, with hours varying by day. Parking is available in nearby downtown garages and lots, and the site is a worthwhile, quiet reset before continuing east.
Continue on I-40 through Little Rock to Hot Springs, allowing roughly 3½–4 hours from Oklahoma City depending on traffic and your stop length. Have lunch at McClard’s Bar-B-Q, a long-running local institution known for saucy Arkansas barbecue; budget about $15–30 per person and expect a casual, no-frills meal. Afterward, stretch your legs along Bathhouse Row and the Grand Promenade in Hot Springs National Park. The historic bathhouses make this an easy one-hour stop without committing to a full hike; the promenade and surrounding downtown streets are generally free to explore, while individual bathhouse exhibits or tours may charge admission. Keep an eye on the clock—Hot Springs to Memphis is about 3½ hours, and evening traffic can slow the final approach.
Arrive in Memphis in the early evening and stop at Central BBQ in Midtown for Memphis-style ribs, pulled pork, or nachos before checking in. A meal is usually around $15–30 per person, and the restaurant is casual, but lines can build at dinner, so ordering ahead is sensible if you are tired from the drive. For the overnight, choose a hotel near Memphis International Airport rather than downtown; it will make the next morning’s departure toward Kentucky much easier. If traffic or the Hot Springs stop pushes the schedule later, prioritize checking in and getting an early night—your planned Kentucky leg is still a substantial drive.
Leave Little Rock around 5:30–6:00 AM for the long eastbound drive, with Louisville roughly 7½–8½ hours away before stops. Your first planned stop is The Old Mill in North Little Rock, so make it a quick 30-minute photo stop before committing to I-40; the mill is an outdoor landmark and best treated as a brief visit rather than a full attraction. Afterward, continue east and expect traffic around Memphis and later Nashville; keep the morning moving if you want meaningful time in Louisville. Check Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory hours and timed-entry availability before leaving—allow 1½–2 hours, with admission commonly around $20–30. The museum is downtown, and its dedicated parking garage makes it an easy stop with luggage in the car, though valuables should stay out of sight.
From the museum, it’s a short drive or roughly 20-minute walk east into NuLu, where brick warehouses now hold independent shops, galleries, and design stores. Give yourself about an hour to browse along East Market Street, but watch the clock: the next stop is Proof on Main, inside 21c Museum Hotel downtown. It’s a polished choice for a late lunch or early dinner, usually $25–50 per person before drinks and tip; reservations are wise, especially on a Friday. The hotel’s contemporary art displays are worth a quick look while you’re there. Since you still have the main attraction ahead, aim to leave Louisville by about 2:00–2:30 PM rather than lingering over the meal.
Take I-64 E toward Lexington, then I-75 S to Ark Encounter in Williamstown, allowing about an hour from central Louisville in light traffic and extra time if the interstate is busy. Use the attraction’s on-site parking and verify the day’s closing time before setting out; a 3–4-hour visit is realistic, but arriving late may force you to prioritize the ark itself over the grounds and exhibits. Tickets are typically in the $50–60 range for adults, with parking generally charged separately. Afterward, settle into Williamstown or nearby Florence rather than driving back toward Louisville. For the next leg, I-75 S is the straightforward route; if you are continuing toward the South, leave Williamstown after breakfast and allow additional time for Cincinnati-area traffic.