Traveling from Ash Flat to Bentonville covers 193.1 miles across northern Arkansas, typically taking about 3 hours and 59 minutes behind the wheel. Because this is a manageable distance, you can easily complete the trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via US 412 and US 62, supported by T & C Boulevard, keeping your fuel costs around $30 for the journey. The transition from the southeastern part of the state toward the Ozarks offers a consistent pace for travelers. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick getaway, this route provides a straightforward connection between these two points. It is a practical drive that fits well into a busy schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
96.5 miles from Ash Flat, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 50m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 412
61.8 mi
1h 15m
T & C Boulevard
49.9 mi
56m
US 62
41.7 mi
56m
Shield-Hopper Bypass
19.1 mi
22m
I 49
7.3 mi
7m
Shied-Hopper Bypass
5.4 mi
6m
North Thompson Road
2 mi
3m
Southeast 14th Street
1.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
US 412
— 61.8 mi, about 1h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ash Flat, AR and Bentonville, AR.
1
Start on AR 354
28 ft·5 sec·AR 354
2
Turn right onto US 167
1.0 mi·1 min·Ash Flat Drive
3
Turn left onto US 62; US 412
50 mi·56 min·T & C Boulevard
4
Turn left onto US 62; US 412
332 ft·4 sec·Shield-Hopper Highway
5
Continue on US 62; US 412
5.4 mi·6 min·Shied-Hopper Bypass
6
Continue on US 62; US 412
19 mi·22 min·Shield-Hopper Bypass
7
Turn right onto US 62; US 412
23 mi·25 min·US 62; US 412
8
At end of road, turn right onto US 62; US 65; US 412
7.2 mi·11 min·US 62; US 65; US 412
9
Take the exit onto US 62; US 65; US 412
5.0 mi·7 min·US 62; US 65; US 412
10
Take the exit onto US 62; US 412
6.1 mi·8 min·US 62; US 412
11
Continue on US 62; US 412
0.5 mi·1 min·US 62; US 412
Use the straight / left lanes.
12
Turn left onto US 412
59 mi·1 hr 10 min·US 412
Use the left lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 412
3.0 mi·5 min·US 412
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Continue on US 71B
2.0 mi·3 min·North Thompson Road
15
Continue on US 71B
1.0 mi·1 min·South Bloomington Street
16
Turn left onto AR 264
0.6 mi·54 sec·West Monroe Avenue
17
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·28 sec
18
Merge onto I 49; US 62; US 71
7.3 mi·7 min·I 49; US 62; US 71
19
Take the exit onto US 62; AR 12
0.3 mi·39 sec·US 62; AR 12
Toward US 62 East, AR 12 East, AR 102 West: Southeast 14th Street, Hudson Road
20
Turn left onto AR 12; US 62
1.1 mi·2 min·Southeast 14th Street
21
Turn right onto Southeast J Street
1.0 mi·2 min·Southeast J Street
Use the left lane.
22
Turn left onto East Central Avenue
0.7 mi·2 min·East Central Avenue
Use the left lane.
23
Turn right onto North Main Street
185 ft·6 sec·North Main Street
24
Arrive at destination
North Main Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a four-hour drive, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and break up the time behind the wheel. Aim to depart early in the morning to avoid midday traffic fluctuations and ensure you reach your destination with plenty of daylight to spare. Budgeting roughly $30 for fuel should cover your needs, but keeping a little extra set aside for local fluctuations is always a smart move. Because the route is relatively short, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on your personal preferences. A concrete tip for this trek is to pay close attention to the transitions between US 412 and US 62, as these junctions are key to maintaining your progress toward Bentonville.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 96.5 miles from Ash Flat, AR, or about 1h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 61.8 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 42 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 96.5 miles or 1h 50m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bentonville, AR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ash Flat, AR so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Ash Flat, AR
This is one driving day of about 193.1 miles and 3h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Ash Flat, AR.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 412 for about 61.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 98.1 and 191.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
98.1 mi into trip|~1h 52m in|US 62; US 65; US 412
At end of road, turn right onto US 62; US 65; US 412
Navigation decision point
5
116.9 mi into trip|~2h 22m in|US 412
Turn left onto US 412
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
175.6 mi into trip|~3h 32m in|US 412
Keep slight right at fork onto US 412
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
189.9 mi into trip|~3h 52m in|US 62; AR 12
Take the exit onto US 62; AR 12 toward US 62 East, AR 12 East, AR 102 West: Southeast 14th Street, Hudson Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 62 East, AR 12 East, AR 102 West: Sou...
6
191.3 mi into trip|~3h 55m in|Southeast J Street
Turn right onto Southeast J Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.16 one way
$58.33 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg68 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$32.01
$64.03
premium
$4.56
$34.66
$69.32
diesel
$5.61
$42.63
$85.27
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 67.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
57.9
0
$20.28
$9.27
Efficient EV
48.3
0
$16.90
$7.72
EV Truck/SUV
77.2
0
$27.03
$12.36
Gas CO2
68 kg
EV CO2
23 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Ash Flat, AR
Night
in Ash Flat on Saturday
Local time
11:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bentonville, AR
Night
in Bentonville on Saturday
Local time
11:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
75°F
Harrison, AR
97 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
3 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 59m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed driving experience as you traverse this 193.1-mile path. With approximately 57% of your travel occurring on highways, you will encounter a blend of faster stretches and more measured local road conditions. Your longest uninterrupted segment spans 61.8 miles on US 412, allowing for a steady rhythm before the road dynamic shifts. The path through Arkansas requires your full attention as you transition between the main thoroughfares of US 62 and US 412. You will find that the road surface and traffic patterns change as you move through the different sections of the route, keeping the drive engaging without being overly taxing.
57% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 61.8 mi on US 412.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 98.1 miles in near US 62; US 65; US 412.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 193.1 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 98.1 miles (US 62; US 65; US 412): Navigation decision point; at 116.9 miles (US 412): Lane positioning matters here; at 175.6 miles (US 412): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Bentonville is a city of 51,000 people (2018) in the Northwest region of Arkansas. Widely known as the home to the corporate headquarters of retail giant Walmart, the city was noted by Travel + Leisure magazine as one of the "Hottest Travel Destinations of 2012".
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 59m. Total distance: 193.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (57%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 61.8 miles on US 412. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 98.1 miles (US 62; US 65; US 412): Navigation decision point; at 116.9 miles (US 412): Lane positioning matters here; at 175.6 miles (US 412): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Bentonville, AR, but most travelers stay overnight.
