Spanning 161.3 miles across Arkansas, this trip from Benton to Brookland typically takes about 3 hours to complete. Because of the manageable distance, it works perfectly as a straightforward day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend roughly $25 on fuel, making it an affordable trek between these two Southeastern communities. The journey utilizes a mix of local routes like Military Road and East Carpenter Street alongside stretches of I-30. If you prefer a simple, direct drive without the complexities of long-haul travel, this route offers a practical solution for your transit needs.
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
80.6 miles from Benton, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 28m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
102.7 mi
1h 46m
I 30
25.3 mi
28m
US 78
12.1 mi
13m
Southwest Drive
7.4 mi
9m
East Johnson Avenue
5.3 mi
8m
Red Wolf Boulevard
2.4 mi
3m
East Highland Drive
2.1 mi
3m
US 67
1.6 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 102.7 mi, about 1h 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Benton, AR and Brookland, AR.
1
Start on North Main Street
0.2 mi·22 sec·North Main Street
2
Continue on Military Road
0.1 mi·20 sec·Military Road
3
Turn left onto AR 35
0.3 mi·35 sec·East Carpenter Street
4
Turn straight
0.1 mi·26 sec
5
Turn straight onto AR 5
0.3 mi·29 sec·I-30 Frontage Road
6
Take the ramp
516 ft·12 sec
7
Merge onto I 30; US 67; US 70
20 mi·22 min·I 30; US 67; US 70
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30; US 67
0.7 mi·49 sec·I 30; US 67
9
Continue on I 30; US 65; US 67; US 167
4.2 mi·5 min·I 30; US 65; US 67; US 167
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 67; US 167
1.6 mi·2 min·US 67; US 167
Exit 143BToward I 40 East, US 67 North, US 167 North: Jacksonville, Memphis
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57; US 167
28 mi·29 min·I 57; US 167
Toward Saint LouisUse the slight left lane.
12
Continue on I 57; US 64; US 167
74 mi·1 hr 16 min·I 57; US 64; US 167
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward AR 226: Jonesboro
14
Keep slight right at fork
346 ft·8 sec
15
Merge onto US 78; AR 226
12 mi·13 min·US 78; AR 226
16
Continue on US 49; US 63; US 78
7.4 mi·9 min·Southwest Drive
17
Turn right onto AR 18
2.1 mi·3 min·East Highland Drive
18
Turn left onto US 49; AR 1
2.4 mi·3 min·Red Wolf Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on US 49; AR 1
5.3 mi·8 min·East Johnson Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Turn right onto US 49B
0.7 mi·1 min·South Holman Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Turn left onto West Hinkley Avenue
189 ft·8 sec·West Hinkley Avenue
22
Arrive at destination
West Hinkley Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a 3-hour journey, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule to hit the road whenever it suits you best. Aim to plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and refresh, as the turn-heavy nature of the route can be more demanding than a straight highway drive. Budgeting $25 for fuel should cover your needs, but keeping a little extra on hand is always wise for local travel. Given that you will be utilizing Military Road and East Carpenter Street, keep a close eye on your navigation to handle the frequent turns smoothly. Taking your time allows you to navigate the local transitions with ease rather than rushing to reach Brookland.
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 80.6 miles from Benton, AR, or about 1h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 102.7 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 35 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80.6 miles or 1h 28m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brookland, AR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Benton, 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 Benton, AR
This is one driving day of about 161.3 miles and 3h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Benton, 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 57 for about 102.7 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 21.5 and 160.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
21.5 mi into trip|~25m in|I 30; US 67
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30; US 67
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
7
26.4 mi into trip|~31m in|US 67; US 167
Keep slight right at fork onto US 67; US 167 toward I 40 East, US 67 North, US 167 North: Jacksonville, Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 143B
Toward I 40 East, US 67 North, US 167 North: Ja...
7
28 mi into trip|~33m in|I 57; US 167
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57; US 167 toward Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward Saint Louis
6
152.9 mi into trip|~2h 46m in|US 49; AR 1 / Red Wolf Boulevard
Turn left onto US 49; AR 1 / Red Wolf Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
160.6 mi into trip|~2h 58m in|US 49B / South Holman Street
Turn right onto US 49B / South Holman Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.36 one way
$48.72 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg56 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$26.74
$53.48
premium
$4.56
$28.95
$57.90
diesel
$5.61
$35.61
$71.23
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
48.4
0
$16.94
$7.74
Efficient EV
40.3
0
$14.11
$6.45
EV Truck/SUV
64.5
0
$22.58
$10.32
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 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 17, 2026
Origin
Benton, AR
Night
in Benton on Saturday
Local time
11:33 PM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Partly Cloudy
0 mph12% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Brookland, AR
Night
in Brookland on Saturday
Local time
11:33 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
14 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
3h on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy, local-focused drive that keeps you engaged behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate grind, this route relies on local roads rather than high-speed highway cruising, resulting in a 0% highway share. You will navigate through various intersections and turns that require your full attention throughout the 161.3-mile distance. The road's personality is defined by its local character, shifting away from the typical fast-paced transit experience you might find on major freeways. Prepare for a more hands-on driving experience that prioritizes navigating through local infrastructure over maintaining high speeds.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 102.7 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and I 30. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 21.5 miles in near I 30; US 67.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 161.3 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 21.5 miles (I 30; US 67): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 26.4 miles (US 67; US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28 miles (I 57; US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Benton, AR and Brookland, AR, road signs point toward Memphis and Saint Louis.
Memphis
26.4 mi in|~31m|via US 67; US 167
Saint Louis
28 mi in|~33m|via I 57; US 167
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h. Total distance: 161.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 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 102.7 miles on I 57. 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.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Brookland, AR before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 21.5 miles (I 30; US 67): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 26.4 miles (US 67; US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28 miles (I 57; US 167): 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 3.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Brookland, AR, but most travelers stay overnight.
