Bella Vista to Benton is 239.8 miles and takes about 4h 13m via I 40 and US 71, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Arkansas, connecting the Southeast region from beginning to end. You'll primarily be on major highways, making for a straightforward drive. With just one recommended stop and most of the travel on high-speed roads, it’s a route well-suited for a single-day trip.
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
119.9 miles from Bella Vista, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
134.4 mi
2h 14m
US 71
71.9 mi
1h 15m
I 430
12.3 mi
14m
US 70
12.1 mi
13m
Bella Vista Way
4.3 mi
6m
Cooper Road
1.1 mi
2m
AR 35
1.1 mi
1m
West Lancashire Boulevard
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 134.4 mi, about 2h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bella Vista, AR and Benton, AR.
1
Start on Hartsfield Lane
305 ft·14 sec·Hartsfield Lane
2
Turn right onto Billingsley Drive
205 ft·12 sec·Billingsley Drive
3
Turn right onto Cooper Road
1.1 mi·2 min·Cooper Road
4
At end of road, turn left onto AR 340
0.4 mi·52 sec·West Lancashire Boulevard
5
Turn right onto On Ramp Bella Vista Way
0.2 mi·19 sec·On Ramp Bella Vista Way
6
Turn straight onto US 71
4.3 mi·6 min·Bella Vista Way
7
Take the ramp onto US 71
72 mi·1 hr 15 min·US 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·49 sec
Toward I 40 East: Alma, Little Rock
9
Merge onto I 40; US 71
134 mi·2 hr 14 min·I 40; US 71
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi·41 sec
Toward I 430: TexarkanaUse the slight right lane.
11
Continue on I 430
12 mi·14 min·I 430
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 70
12 mi·13 min·US 70
Exit 129BToward I 30 West: TexarkanaUse the slight right lane.
13
Take the exit
0.1 mi·12 sec
Toward AR 5, AR 35: Benton
14
Turn straight onto AR 5
0.4 mi·37 sec·I-30 Frontage Road
15
Turn slight right onto AR 5
0.2 mi·28 sec·Old Hot Springs Highway
16
Turn left onto AR 35
1.1 mi·1 min·AR 35
17
Turn right onto East Sevier Street
383 ft·14 sec·East Sevier Street
18
Turn right onto North Main Street
14 ft·0 sec·North Main Street
19
Arrive at destination
North Main Street
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour drive, leaving in the morning is ideal to give you flexibility. The 239.8 miles can be completed comfortably in one day. Consider taking your single recommended stop midway on I 40 to break up the longest stretch of 134.4 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $38, and services can be spaced out on some highway sections. Given it's a direct route, you won't need to worry about complex navigation, making for a relaxed trip.
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 119.9 miles from Bella Vista, AR, or about 2h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 134.4 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 53 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119.9 miles or 2h 8m 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 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Benton, AR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Bella Vista, 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 Bella Vista, AR
This is one driving day of about 239.8 miles and 4h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Bella Vista, 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 I 40 for about 134.4 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 78.1 and 239.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
78.1 mi into trip|~1h 26m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 40 East: Alma, Little Rock
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 40 East: Alma, Little Rock
6
213.1 mi into trip|~3h 41m in
Take the exit toward I 430: Texarkana
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 430: Texarkana
8
226 mi into trip|~3h 56m in|US 70
Keep slight right at fork onto US 70 toward I 30 West: Texarkana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 129B
Toward I 30 West: Texarkana
5
238 mi into trip|~4h 9m in
Take the exit toward AR 5, AR 35: Benton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward AR 5, AR 35: Benton
5
239.8 mi into trip|~4h 13m in|North Main Street
Turn right onto North Main Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.86 one way
$73.71 round trip
$3.90/gal25.4 MPG avg84 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.32
$40.77
$81.53
premium
$4.65
$43.87
$87.74
diesel
$5.35
$50.51
$101.02
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
71.9
0
$25.18
$11.51
Efficient EV
60
0
$20.98
$9.59
EV Truck/SUV
95.9
1
$33.57
$15.35
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jun 2, 2026
Origin
Bella Vista, AR
Afternoon
in Bella Vista on Wednesday
Local time
2:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Mostly Cloudy
SE 5 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued June 2 at 2:21AM CDT by NWS Little Rock AR
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued June 1 at 7:49PM CDT by NWS Little Rock AR
Destination
Benton, AR
Afternoon
in Benton on Wednesday
Local time
2:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Chance Rain Showers
0 mph28% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued June 2 at 2:21AM CDT by NWS Little Rock AR
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued June 1 at 7:49PM CDT by NWS Little Rock AR
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 13m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Hot Springs National Park
National Park
Hot Springs National Park has a rich cultural past. The grand architecture of our historic bathhouses is equally matched by the natural curiosities that have been drawing people here for hundreds of y...
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 239.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 97% of the 239.8 miles on major roads like I 40. You'll encounter a long stretch of 134.4 miles on I 40 before transitioning to surface roads. Expect frequent exits and merges as you navigate through populated areas and rural sections.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 134.4 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and US 71. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 78.1 miles in.
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 239.8 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: at 78.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 213.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 226 miles (US 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,609 ft277 ft
Total Climb
757 ft
Total Descent
1,555 ft
Highest Point
1,609 ft
~51.4 mi in
Elevation Range
1,332 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Bella Vista, AR to Benton, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Little Rock along the way.
Little Rock
78.1 mi in|~1h 26m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 13m. Total distance: 239.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 134.4 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 19 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 78.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 213.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 226 miles (US 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Hot Springs National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
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 Benton, AR, but most travelers stay overnight.
