Connecting Bentonville to Benton, this 230.4-mile journey takes you through the heart of Arkansas in about 4 hours and 1 minute. Because the route is straightforward and heavily relies on major interstates, it is perfectly manageable as a single-day trip without the need for an overnight stay. You can expect to budget roughly $35 for fuel, making this a budget-friendly way to cross the state. Since both cities are located within the Southeast region, the terrain remains consistent throughout your travel. Whether you are heading south for business or a change of scenery, this highway-focused drive offers a direct and efficient path between the two points.
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
115.2 miles from Bentonville, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 1m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
134.4 mi
2h 14m
I 49
65.7 mi
1h 8m
I 430
12.3 mi
14m
US 70
12.1 mi
13m
AR 35
1.1 mi
1m
Southeast J Street
1 mi
2m
Southeast 14th Street
1 mi
1m
East Central Avenue
0.7 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 134.4 mi, about 2h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bentonville, AR and Benton, AR.
1
Start on North Main Street
185 ft·13 sec·North Main Street
2
Turn left onto East Central Avenue
0.7 mi·2 min·East Central Avenue
Use the right lane.
3
Turn right onto Southeast J Street
1.0 mi·2 min·Southeast J Street
Use the right lane.
4
Turn left onto AR 102
1.0 mi·1 min·Southeast 14th Street
Use the left lane.
5
Take the ramp onto US 62; AR 12
0.2 mi·14 sec·US 62; AR 12
Use the right lane.
6
Continue on I 49; US 62; US 71; AR 12
66 mi·1 hr 8 min·I 49; US 62; US 71; AR 12
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·49 sec
Toward I 40 East: Alma, Little Rock
8
Merge onto I 40; US 71
134 mi·2 hr 14 min·I 40; US 71
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi·41 sec
Toward I 430: TexarkanaUse the slight right lane.
10
Continue on I 430
12 mi·14 min·I 430
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 70
12 mi·13 min·US 70
Exit 129BToward I 30 West: TexarkanaUse the slight right lane.
12
Take the exit
0.1 mi·12 sec
Toward AR 5, AR 35: Benton
13
Turn straight onto AR 5
0.4 mi·37 sec·I-30 Frontage Road
14
Turn slight right onto AR 5
0.2 mi·28 sec·Old Hot Springs Highway
15
Turn left onto AR 35
1.1 mi·1 min·AR 35
16
Turn right onto East Sevier Street
383 ft·14 sec·East Sevier Street
17
Turn right onto North Main Street
14 ft·0 sec·North Main Street
18
Arrive at destination
North Main Street
Trip Plan
To keep your drive smooth, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh during the 4-hour transit. Since the majority of your time is spent on I-40, check traffic reports for that corridor before you head out to avoid unexpected congestion. Fueling up early is a smart move, especially given the $35 estimated cost for the full trip. Because this route is relatively short, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience rather than needing an early dawn start. Use that single planned stop as a mid-point break to ensure you stay alert during the long 134.4-mile stretch on I-40.
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 115.2 miles from Bentonville, AR, or about 2h 1m 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 51 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 115.2 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 15m
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 Bentonville, 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 Bentonville, AR
This is one driving day of about 230.4 miles and 4h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Bentonville, 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 216.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in|East Central Avenue
Turn left onto East Central Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
1.8 mi into trip|~4m in|AR 102 / Southeast 14th Street
Turn left onto AR 102 / Southeast 14th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
68.7 mi into trip|~1h 14m 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
203.7 mi into trip|~3h 29m 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
216.5 mi into trip|~3h 44m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.80 one way
$69.59 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg81 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$38.20
$76.39
premium
$4.56
$41.35
$82.71
diesel
$5.61
$50.87
$101.74
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 80.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
69.1
0
$24.19
$11.06
Efficient EV
57.6
0
$20.16
$9.22
EV Truck/SUV
92.2
1
$32.26
$14.75
Gas CO2
81 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Bentonville, AR
Night
in Bentonville on Saturday
Local time
11:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Benton, AR
Night
in Benton on Saturday
Local time
11:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
79°F
Delaware, AR
115 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 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 1m 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?
Expect a dedicated highway experience, as 98% of this trip is spent on high-speed roads. You will navigate a mix of I-49, I-40, and I-430, ensuring a fast-paced drive that prioritizes efficiency over local backroads. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a significant 134.4-mile run along I-40, which demands steady focus during long periods of interstate cruising. While the route is functional rather than scenic, the transition between these major arteries keeps the drive moving at a consistent clip. Prepare for a standard interstate commute where traffic patterns and road conditions on the major junctions will dictate your pace.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 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?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 49. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Central Avenue.
Driving Effort6/10
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 230.4 miles you will encounter 12 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: near the start (East Central Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.8 miles (AR 102 / Southeast 14th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 68.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Bentonville, AR to Benton, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Little Rock along the way.
Bentonville is a city of 51,000 people (2018) in the Northwest region of Arkansas. Widely known as the home to the corporate headquarters of retail giant Walmart, the city was noted by Travel + Leisure magazine as one of the "Hottest Travel Destinations of 2012".
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 1m. Total distance: 230.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). 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.
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 Benton, 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: near the start (East Central Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.8 miles (AR 102 / Southeast 14th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 68.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Benton, AR, but most travelers stay overnight.
