Benton, AR to Centerton, AR is 233.2 miles and takes about 4h 5m via I 40 and I 49, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Arkansas, moving from the Southeast region towards the northwest. Expect a predominantly highway experience, making it a straightforward drive for a single day. The route is efficient, designed for covering ground rather than extensive sightseeing, so plan your stops accordingly if you prefer a more leisurely pace.
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
116.6 miles from Benton, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 1m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
134.7 mi
2h 14m
I 49
64.1 mi
1h 6m
US 70
13.1 mi
15m
I 30
11.7 mi
12m
Southwest 14th Street
2.1 mi
3m
East Centerton Boulevard
1.9 mi
2m
South Walton Boulevard
1.5 mi
2m
Southeast Walton Boulevard
1.5 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 134.7 mi, about 2h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Benton, AR and Centerton, 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
12 mi·12 min·I 30; US 67; US 70
8
Take the exit onto US 70
13 mi·15 min·US 70
Exit 129Toward I 430 North, US 70: Fort SmithUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·49 sec
Exit 13BToward I 40 West: Fort Smith, Oklahoma City
10
Merge onto I 40; US 65
135 mi·2 hr 14 min·I 40; US 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·48 sec
Toward I 49 North: Fayetteville
12
Continue on I 49
46 mi·47 min·I 49
Use the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 49; US 62; US 71
18 mi·19 min·I 49; US 62; US 71
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·17 sec
Toward Bentonville, Rogers
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·18 sec
Toward Bentonville
16
Turn straight onto AR 12
1.5 mi·2 min·Southeast Walton Boulevard
17
Continue on South Walton Boulevard
1.5 mi·2 min·South Walton Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
18
Turn left onto AR 102
2.1 mi·3 min·Southwest 14th Street
19
Continue on AR 102
1.9 mi·2 min·East Centerton Boulevard
20
Turn right onto AR 102B
492 ft·14 sec·North Main Street
21
Turn left onto West Spring Street
91 ft·4 sec·West Spring Street
22
Arrive at destination
West Spring Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 5m estimated duration, this is a comfortable one-day drive. Aim to depart Benton, AR in the morning to maximize daylight and allow ample time for any unscheduled delays. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility; however, consider breaking up the longest stretch on I 40, which spans 134.7 miles. Keep an eye on fuel, especially before heading onto I 49, as services can sometimes be spaced out on longer highway segments. Your fuel cost is estimated at $37, so budget accordingly.
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 116.6 miles from Benton, AR, or about 2h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 134.7 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 51 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 116.6 miles or 2h 1m 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 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Centerton, 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 233.2 miles and 4h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 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 40 for about 134.7 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 12.9 and 226 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
12.9 mi into trip|~15m in|US 70
Take the exit onto US 70 toward I 430 North, US 70: Fort Smith
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 129
Toward I 430 North, US 70: Fort Smith
7
25.9 mi into trip|~30m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 40 West: Fort Smith, Oklahoma City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 13B
Toward I 40 West: Fort Smith, Oklahoma City
5
26.6 mi into trip|~31m in|I 40; US 65
Merge onto I 40; US 65
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
208 mi into trip|~3h 34m in|I 49; US 62; US 71
Keep slight left at fork onto I 49; US 62; US 71
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
226 mi into trip|~3h 53m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Bentonville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Bentonville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.37 one way
$64.75 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg82 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$36.22
$72.44
premium
$4.29
$39.38
$78.76
diesel
$4.80
$44.03
$88.07
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 81.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
70
0
$24.49
$11.19
Efficient EV
58.3
0
$20.41
$9.33
EV Truck/SUV
93.3
1
$32.65
$14.92
Gas CO2
82 kg
EV CO2
27 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Benton, AR
Late night
in Benton on Sunday
Local time
5:36 AM
CDT
Current temp
95°F
Sunny
WSW 5 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 10:12AM CDT until July 20 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Jackson MS
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 4:25AM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Destination
Centerton, AR
Late night
in Centerton on Sunday
Local time
5:36 AM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 10 mph23% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 10:12AM CDT until July 20 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Jackson MS
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 4:25AM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
73°F
Delaware, AR
117 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
4 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
4h 5m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is almost entirely on major highways, with 96% of the 233.2 miles on routes like I 40 and I 49. You'll encounter a substantial stretch of 134.7 miles on I 40, which means extended periods of consistent highway cruising. The transition to surface roads will occur late in the trip, likely as you approach your final destination. Be prepared for the frequent exits and potential merging traffic characteristic of these major interstate corridors.
96% 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: 134.7 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 49. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 12.9 miles in near US 70.
Driving Effort8/10
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 233.2 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 12.9 miles (US 70): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 25.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26.6 miles (I 40; US 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,668 ft288 ft
Total Climb
1,780 ft
Total Descent
937 ft
Highest Point
1,668 ft
~183.2 mi in
Elevation Range
1,380 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 Benton, AR to Centerton, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Oklahoma City along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 5m. Total distance: 233.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 134.7 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.
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 Centerton, 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. There are 19 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 12.9 miles (US 70): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 25.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26.6 miles (I 40; US 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Centerton, AR, but most travelers stay overnight.
