Origin
Austin, AR
Night in Austin on Saturday
Local time
11:49 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Austin, AR to New Caledonia, AR
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 10m
Distance
197.8 mi
318 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 58m
★
6 AM
4h 11m
8 AM
4h 37m
10 AM
4h 20m
12 PM
4h 17m
3 PM
4h 21m
5 PM
4h 36m
8 PM
4h 3m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Austin, AR
Elsie Soto
New Caledonia, AR
Dominik Ruhl
Trip Overview
Austin, AR to New Caledonia, AR is 197.8 miles and takes about 4h 10m via US 167, with a fuel budget near $30 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This one-day journey stays within the Southeast region, primarily navigating Arkansas. Expect a drive that's largely highway-focused, making it a straightforward trip for those looking to cover ground efficiently. With only one recommended stop and a significant portion on main highways, this route is ideal for a quick getaway or a segment of a larger road trip, offering a direct path between your origin and destination.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
98.9 miles from Austin, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 6m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 167 | 113.3 mi | 2h 14m |
| US 65 | 32.6 mi | 35m |
| North Broadview Street | 11.8 mi | 16m |
| I 530 | 10 mi | 10m |
| Bennett Road | 6.2 mi | 10m |
| State Highway 9 | 5.4 mi | 9m |
| AR 285 | 4.8 mi | 8m |
| US Highway 65 | 4.6 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
US 167
— 113.3 mi, about 2h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Austin, AR and New Caledonia, AR.
1
Start on Austin Road
122 ft
·
12 sec
·
Austin Road
2
Turn sharp right onto AR 9
5.4 mi
·
9 min
·
State Highway 9
3
Turn left onto AR 92
6.2 mi
·
10 min
·
Bennett Road
4
Turn right onto AR 285
4.8 mi
·
8 min
·
AR 285
5
Turn right onto Lewis Drive
0.1 mi
·
35 sec
·
Lewis Drive
6
Merge onto US 65
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Broadway
7
Continue on US 65
0.7 mi
·
56 sec
·
Broadview Street
8
Continue on US 65
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
US Highway 65
9
Continue on US 65
12 mi
·
16 min
·
North Broadview Street
10
Continue on US 65
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
US Highway 65
11
Continue on US 65
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Skyline Drive
12
Take the exit onto US 65
28 mi
·
29 min
·
US 65
13
Take the exit onto US 65
4.6 mi
·
6 min
·
US 65
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 530; US 65; US 167
10.0 mi
·
10 min
·
I 530; US 65; US 167
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit onto US 167
56 mi
·
1 hr 5 min
·
US 167
Toward US 167 South: Sheridan, Fordyce, El Dorado
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Turn right onto US 79; US 167
4.1 mi
·
6 min
·
US 79; US 167
17
Keep slight left at fork onto US 167
42 mi
·
50 min
·
US 167
Toward US 167: El Dorado
18
Take the exit onto US 167
16 mi
·
18 min
·
US 167
Toward US 167 South, AR 7 South: El Dorado, Junction City
19
Turn left onto Caledonia Road
1.8 mi
·
6 min
·
Caledonia Road
20
Arrive at destination
Caledonia Road
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 10m estimated drive time and 197.8-mile distance, this trip is easily manageable in a single day, so you can leave Austin, AR at your leisure. The $30 fuel cost suggests that keeping your gas tank full will be the main budget consideration. With only one recommended stop and a high highway share, you can plan your break strategically along the longest stretch on US 167, perhaps around the halfway point, to maximize your driving time. Always be mindful of your fuel gauge, especially on longer highway segments where services might be spaced further apart.
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 98.9 miles from Austin, AR, or about 2h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 113.3 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 44 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 98.9 miles or 2h 6m 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 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New Caledonia, AR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Austin, 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 Austin, AR
This is one driving day of about 197.8 miles and 4h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Austin, 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 167 for about 113.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
99 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 44 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 98.9 miles from Austin, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 167 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 113.3 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 180.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
AR 9 / State Highway 9
Turn sharp right onto AR 9 / State Highway 9
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
6
68.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 32m in
|
I 530; US 65; US 167
Keep slight left at fork onto I 530; US 65; US 167
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
78.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 42m in
|
US 167
Take the exit onto US 167 toward US 167 South: Sheridan, Fordyce, El Dorado
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward US 167 South: Sheridan, Fordyce, El Dora...
5
138.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 55m in
|
US 167
Keep slight left at fork onto US 167 toward US 167: El Dorado
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 167: El Dorado
7
180.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 45m in
|
US 167
Take the exit onto US 167 toward US 167 South, AR 7 South: El Dorado, Junction City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 167 South, AR 7 South: El Dorado, Jun...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.87 one way
$59.74 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
69 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $32.79 | $65.59 |
| premium | $4.56 | $35.50 | $71.01 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $43.67 | $87.34 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 69.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 59.3 | 0 | $20.77 | $9.49 |
| Efficient EV | 49.5 | 0 | $17.31 | $7.91 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 79.1 | 0 | $27.69 | $12.66 |
Gas CO2
69 kg
EV CO2
23 kg (67% 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.
Destination
New Caledonia, AR
Night in New Caledonia on Saturday
Local time
11:49 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
1 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 10m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This route leans heavily into highway driving, with 88% of the journey on major roads. You'll experience a significant stretch of 113.3 miles primarily on US 167, offering a consistent pace. The profile suggests a highway-focused drive, meaning you'll likely encounter faster speeds and fewer town interruptions for a good portion of the trip. While the majority is on well-traveled highways like US 65 and US 167, expect some transitions as you navigate through different segments and onto local streets like North Broadview Street near your destination.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 113.3 mi on US 167.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 167 and US 65. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near AR 9 / State Highway 9.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 197.8 miles you will encounter 13 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: near the start (AR 9 / State Highway 9): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 68.7 miles (I 530; US 65; US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 78.6 miles (US 167): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Austin, AR and New Caledonia, AR, road signs point toward Fordyce, El Dorado and Junction City.
Fordyce
78.6 mi in
|
~1h 42m
|
via US 167
El Dorado
78.6 mi in
|
~1h 42m
|
via US 167
Junction City
180.3 mi in
|
~3h 45m
|
via US 167
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 10m. Total distance: 197.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 113.3 miles on US 167. 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: near the start (AR 9 / State Highway 9): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 68.7 miles (I 530; US 65; US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 78.6 miles (US 167): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.4 hours — manageable with a long break at New Caledonia, AR, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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