Visiting Jonesboro for a Game?

The primary gateway for Jonesboro is Memphis International Airport (MEM), located approximately 75-80 miles southeast of the city, with a drive of roughly 1 hour and 15 to 1 hour and 35 minutes via US-63 North. Renting a car at MEM is strongly recommended, as it is the fastest and most practical option for the trip. Uber is available for the MEM-to-Jonesboro run but expect a lengthy, expensive ride of around 78 minutes each way, making a rental car a far better value for a multi-day sports trip.

Jonesboro has a limited public transit system — JET (Jonesboro Economical Transport) operates fixed bus routes across the city including stops at Arkansas State University, though service hours and coverage may not suit all visitor needs. Notably, JET runs the Red Wolves Express shuttle for every home football game at Centennial Bank Stadium, with pick-up locations downtown and on campus, making it a practical game-day option. Outside of game days, rideshare availability (Uber/Lyft) is limited compared to larger cities, particularly late at night after games. A rental car is still the most flexible option for getting between hotels, Centennial Bank Stadium, restaurants, and bars on the Strip. Plan ahead on game days, as parking near campus fills up and post-game rideshare waits can be long.

The area along East Highland Drive and the University Avenue corridor, close to the Arkansas State University campus, is the best base for sports fans as it puts you within minutes of Centennial Bank Stadium and walking distance of bars and restaurants frequented by Red Wolves fans. A second cluster of chain hotels sits along South Caraway Road, offering slightly lower rates with an easy 10-minute drive to the stadium. Expect to pay roughly $90-$130 per night on a standard weekend and $130-$200 or more on home game weekends, when hotels book up fast. Book early for marquee Sun Belt Conference home games, as Jonesboro is a small market and mid-range properties sell out quickly.

Jonesboro is a true college football town, and on Red Wolves game days the entire city revolves around Arkansas State, with tailgating culture that punches well above the program's mid-major weight. ASU competes in the Sun Belt Conference, and rivalry games against Louisiana and Appalachian State reliably draw some of the loudest crowds and most intense atmospheres in the league. The Red Wolves also field competitive baseball and basketball programs, so depending on the season, visiting fans can often catch multiple ASU sports on the same trip. If you have a free afternoon, Memphis is only about 75 miles away, giving you access to FedExForum (NBA/Grizzlies) or AutoZone Park (AAA baseball) as a bonus stop.