If you are planning a journey from Bella Vista to Tennessee, Arkansas, expect a trek covering 312 miles. This trip takes approximately 5 hours and 35 minutes to complete, making it a manageable, albeit lengthy, one-day excursion. You will primarily navigate via Billingsley Drive, Cooper Road, and West Lancashire Boulevard to reach your destination. Budgeting roughly $48 for fuel is a smart move before you head out. Since you are staying within the Southeast region for the entire trip, you won't experience major geographic shifts, but the route is best suited for a single, focused day of driving.
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
156 miles from Bella Vista, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 45m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
140.4 mi
2h 21m
US 71
71.9 mi
1h 15m
I 530
43.9 mi
45m
Highway 530
22.9 mi
26m
US 425
15.7 mi
20m
US 65
4.6 mi
6m
Bella Vista Way
4.3 mi
6m
West Gaines Avenue
2.6 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 140.4 mi, about 2h 21m
Traffic on I-530
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~881 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,083
Quietest
2 AM
~65 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
13.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 15 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bella Vista, AR and Tennessee, 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
140 mi·2 hr 21 min·I 40; US 71
10
Take the exit onto US 65
4.6 mi·6 min·US 65
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 530; US 65; US 167
44 mi·45 min·I 530; US 65; US 167
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.7 mi·52 sec
Exit 44Toward AR 530 South: Star City, Monticello
13
Continue on AR 530
23 mi·26 min·Highway 530
14
At end of road, turn left onto AR 11
2.0 mi·2 min·Highway 11
15
Turn right onto US 425
16 mi·20 min·US 425
16
Take the exit
226 ft·6 sec
17
Turn slight right onto US 278
2.6 mi·4 min·West Gaines Avenue
18
Turn left onto Tennessee Spur Road
0.3 mi·1 min·Tennessee Spur Road
19
Arrive at destination
Tennessee Spur Road
Trip Plan
To tackle this 5-hour and 35-minute drive effectively, try to depart early in the morning to avoid fatigue on the more technical sections of the route. Given the turn-heavy nature of the drive, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh your focus. Keep your $48 fuel budget in mind, and consider topping off your tank before departing Bella Vista to ensure you have plenty of range for the local roads ahead. Since you aren't dealing with highway speeds, your travel time can fluctuate based on local traffic, so keep your schedule flexible. Prioritize navigation apps to help manage the complex turns on Billingsley Drive and Cooper Road.
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 156 miles from Bella Vista, AR, or about 2h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 140.4 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 69 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 156 miles or 2h 45m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tennessee, 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 312 miles and 5h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 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 140.4 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 0.1 and 291.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Billingsley Drive
Turn right onto Billingsley Drive
Navigation decision point
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
223.7 mi into trip|~3h 55m 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.
6
267.6 mi into trip|~4h 40m in
Take the exit toward AR 530 South: Star City, Monticello
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 44
Toward AR 530 South: Star City, Monticello
5
291.3 mi into trip|~5h 7m in|AR 11 / Highway 11
At end of road, turn left onto AR 11 / Highway 11
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$47.95 one way
$95.91 round trip
$3.90/gal25.4 MPG avg109 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.32
$53.04
$106.08
premium
$4.65
$57.08
$114.16
diesel
$5.35
$65.72
$131.43
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 109.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
93.6
1
$32.76
$14.98
Efficient EV
78
0
$27.30
$12.48
EV Truck/SUV
124.8
1
$43.68
$19.97
Gas CO2
109 kg
EV CO2
37 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 1, 2026
Origin
Bella Vista, AR
Afternoon
in Bella Vista on Wednesday
Local time
2:09 PM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 5 to 10 mph19% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued June 1 at 8:17AM CDT by NWS Little Rock AR
Destination
Tennessee, AR
Afternoon
in Tennessee on Wednesday
Local time
2:09 PM
CDT
Current temp
95°F
Mostly Sunny
W 0 to 5 mph9% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued June 1 at 8:17AM 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
4 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
5h 35m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route features zero highway miles, forcing you to navigate local roads for the duration of your 312-mile trip. You will find that the road remains technical throughout, requiring you to stay alert through constant curves and intersections. Because this path relies entirely on local infrastructure, the drive feels more intimate and engaging than a standard high-speed commute. Expect a steady, winding pace rather than long, uninterrupted stretches of open road.
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: 140.4 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 0.1 miles in near Billingsley Drive.
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 312 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 0.1 miles (Billingsley Drive): Navigation decision point; at 78.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 223.7 miles (I 530; US 65; US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,210 ft205 ft
Total Climb
289 ft
Total Descent
1,238 ft
Highest Point
1,210 ft
Elevation Range
1,005 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Bella Vista, AR and Tennessee, AR, road signs point toward Little Rock and Monticello.
Tennessee is a US state in the South known for its rich history, music, and the Appalachian Mountains along its eastern border. Many visitors come to see Elvis Presley's home, Graceland, or the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 35m. Total distance: 312 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 35m 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 140.4 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 17 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.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 17 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Billingsley Drive): Navigation decision point; at 78.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 223.7 miles (I 530; US 65; US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Tennessee, AR before the return drive.
