Benton, AR to Gravette, AR is 247.5 miles and takes about 4h 20m via I 40 and I 49, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Arkansas, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. It's a straightforward drive, largely on major highways, making it a convenient option for a single-day trip. Expect a consistent pace for most of the drive, with minimal deviations from the main interstates.
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
123.7 miles from Benton, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
134.7 mi
2h 14m
I 49
80 mi
1h 22m
US 70
13.1 mi
15m
I 30
11.7 mi
12m
West State Highway 72
4.8 mi
8m
Atlanta Street Southeast
0.6 mi
1m
East Carpenter Street
0.3 mi
<1m
I-30 Frontage Road
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 134.7 mi, about 2h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Benton, AR and Gravette, 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
19 mi·20 min·I 49; US 62; US 71
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on I 49; US 71
14 mi·14 min·I 49; US 71
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Exit 287Toward AR 72: Gravette, HiwasseUse the left / right lanes.
16
At end of road, turn left onto AR 72
4.8 mi·8 min·West State Highway 72
Use the left lane.
17
Continue on AR 72
0.6 mi·1 min·Atlanta Street Southeast
18
Turn right onto AR 59; AR 72
212 ft·11 sec·1st Avenue South
19
Turn left
57 ft·4 sec
20
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4h 20m drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $39, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Pay attention to the transition points between I 40 and I 49, as these are key areas to maintain your route. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach your destination, especially if you plan to explore Gravette immediately upon arrival.
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 123.7 miles from Benton, AR, or about 2h 8m 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 54 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 123.7 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gravette, 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 247.5 miles and 4h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 12.9 and 242 — 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
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.
8
241.7 mi into trip|~4h 9m in
Take the exit toward AR 72: Gravette, Hiwasse
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left / right lanes.
Exit 287
Toward AR 72: Gravette, Hiwasse
6
242 mi into trip|~4h 10m in|AR 72 / West State Highway 72
At end of road, turn left onto AR 72 / West State Highway 72
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.36 one way
$68.72 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg87 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$38.44
$76.88
premium
$4.29
$41.79
$83.58
diesel
$4.80
$46.73
$93.47
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74.3
0
$25.99
$11.88
Efficient EV
61.9
0
$21.66
$9.90
EV Truck/SUV
99
1
$34.65
$15.84
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 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
5:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
95°F
Sunny
WSW 0 to 5 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 4:25AM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:07AM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Little Rock AR
Destination
Gravette, AR
Late night
in Gravette on Sunday
Local time
5:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 0 to 10 mph20% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 4:25AM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:07AM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Little Rock AR
97°F
Booneville, AR
124 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
5 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 20m 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?
You'll spend 99% of your time on highways, with the longest stretch covering 134.7 miles on I 40. This means you'll have a consistent cruising experience for the majority of the trip. The transition to surface roads will be minimal towards the end of your drive into Gravette. Expect a steady flow of traffic and frequent exit ramps on the interstate portions.
99% 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: 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 12 significant decision points across 247.5 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 208 miles (I 49; US 62; US 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,486 ft306 ft
Total Climb
1,283 ft
Total Descent
476 ft
Highest Point
1,486 ft
~194.5 mi in
Elevation Range
1,180 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 Gravette, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Oklahoma City along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 20m. Total distance: 247.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). 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 Gravette, 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 208 miles (I 49; US 62; US 71): 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 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Gravette, AR, but most travelers stay overnight.
