Bentonville, AR to Gurdon, AR is 266.6 miles and takes about 4h 54m via I 49, I 40, and South State Highway 7, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route takes you through the Southeast region of Arkansas, offering a predominantly highway-focused experience. With an 88% highway share, expect a straightforward drive with minimal detours. It's a solid choice if you're looking for an efficient journey between these two Arkansas cities, completing the trip within a single day.
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
133.3 miles from Bentonville, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 19m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 49
65.7 mi
1h 8m
I 40
64.9 mi
1h 4m
South State Highway 7
44.8 mi
50m
I 30
34.9 mi
34m
AR 7 South
14.4 mi
16m
Malvern Road
12.2 mi
13m
Hot Springs Bypass
6.1 mi
6m
AR 53
5.2 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
I 49
— 65.7 mi, about 1h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bentonville, AR and Gurdon, 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
65 mi·1 hr 4 min·I 40; US 71
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Exit 78Toward US 64
10
Turn left onto US 64
1.6 mi·2 min·US 64
11
Continue on US 64; Hwy 326
3.1 mi·4 min·West Main Street
12
Turn right onto AR 7
4.9 mi·5 min·South Arkansas Avenue
13
At end of road, turn left onto AR 7
0.2 mi·29 sec·North State Highway 7
14
Continue on AR 7
14 mi·16 min·AR 7 South
15
Continue on AR 7; AR 10
0.3 mi·24 sec·South Scenic 7 Drive
16
Turn right onto AR 7
0.2 mi·17 sec·AR 7
17
Turn left onto AR 7
45 mi·50 min·South State Highway 7
18
Enter roundabout onto Hot Springs Bypass
222 ft·2 sec·Hot Springs Bypass
19
Continue on Hot Springs Bypass
6.0 mi·6 min·Hot Springs Bypass
20
Merge onto US 70
1.9 mi·2 min·Doctor Martin Luther King, Junior Expressway
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
22
Keep slight left at fork
81 ft·8 sec
23
Turn left onto US 270
0.6 mi·46 sec·Malvern Avenue
24
Continue on US 270
12 mi·13 min·Malvern Road
25
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
26
Merge onto I 30
35 mi·34 min·I 30
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi·1 min
Toward AR 53: Gurdon
28
Turn right onto AR 53
5.2 mi·9 min·AR 53
29
Turn right onto US 67; AR 53
0.9 mi·1 min·Elm Street
30
Arrive at destination
US 67; AR 53
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 54m duration, departing in the morning from Bentonville will comfortably get you to Gurdon before evening. With only one recommended stop, you can plan your break strategically along the main highways. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 65.7-mile stretch on I 49, to ensure you have enough to reach your next service area. The estimated fuel cost of $40 suggests that planning for at least one fill-up is prudent for this 266.6-mile journey.
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 133.3 miles from Bentonville, AR, or about 2h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 65.7 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 59 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 133.3 miles or 2h 19m 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
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gurdon, 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 266.6 miles and 4h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 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 49 for about 65.7 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 134.1 — 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.
5
0.7 mi into trip|~2m in|Southeast J Street
Turn right onto Southeast J Street
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
5
134.1 mi into trip|~2h 20m in
Take the exit toward US 64
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 78
Toward US 64
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.98 one way
$81.95 round trip
$3.90/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.32
$45.32
$90.64
premium
$4.65
$48.78
$97.55
diesel
$5.35
$56.15
$112.31
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80
0
$27.99
$12.80
Efficient EV
66.7
0
$23.33
$10.66
EV Truck/SUV
106.6
1
$37.32
$17.06
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Bentonville, AR
Afternoon
in Bentonville on Wednesday
Local time
2:09 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 5 mph16% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 7:45PM CDT until June 6 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Little Rock AR
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 7:44PM CDT until June 2 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Little Rock AR
Destination
Gurdon, AR
Afternoon
in Gurdon on Wednesday
Local time
2:09 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 7:45PM CDT until June 6 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Little Rock AR
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 7:44PM CDT until June 2 at 7:00PM 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 54m 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...
5 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 211.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is largely a highway-focused experience, with 88% of the journey utilizing major roadways. You'll encounter stretches on I 49 and I 40, providing a consistent pace for most of the trip. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 65.7 miles on I 49, allowing for extended periods of cruising. As you transition to South State Highway 7, the character of the drive may subtly shift, though the overall profile remains highway-centric.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 65.7 mi on I 49.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 49 and I 40. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Central Avenue.
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 21 significant decision points across 266.6 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: near the start (East Central Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.7 miles (Southeast J Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.8 miles (AR 102 / Southeast 14th Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,618 ft208 ft
Total Climb
828 ft
Total Descent
1,917 ft
Highest Point
1,618 ft
~38.1 mi in
Elevation Range
1,410 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 Bentonville, AR to Gurdon, 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".
Top landmarks
•Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art — art museum in Bentonville, Arkansas
•Bentonville Confederate Monument — monument in Bentonville, United States of America
•Benton County Courthouse — courthouse in Bentonville, Benton County, Arkansas
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 54m. Total distance: 266.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 54m 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 65.7 miles on I 49. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 16 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 Gurdon, 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 16 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Central Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.7 miles (Southeast J Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.8 miles (AR 102 / Southeast 14th Street): 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 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Gurdon, AR, but most travelers stay overnight.
