Traveling from Bentonville to Lake Hamilton covers 221.2 miles across Arkansas, typically taking about 4 hours and 2 minutes of driving time. Because this route stays entirely within the state, it is easily manageable as a single-day journey, though you should budget approximately $34 for fuel. You will primarily utilize I-49 and I-40 before transitioning onto South State Highway 7. Whether you are heading south for a weekend getaway or a quick change of scenery, this trip offers a straightforward path through the Southeast region. The duration is reasonable enough that you won't need an overnight stop unless 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
110.6 miles from Bentonville, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 56m 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
AR 7 South
14.4 mi
16m
Doctor Martin Luther King, Junior Expressway
6.5 mi
6m
Hot Springs Bypass
6.1 mi
6m
South Arkansas Avenue
4.9 mi
5m
Central Avenue
4.4 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 49
— 65.7 mi, about 1h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bentonville, AR and Lake Hamilton, 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
6.5 mi·6 min·Doctor Martin Luther King, Junior Expressway
21
Take the exit
336 ft·8 sec
22
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
23
Continue on AR 7
4.4 mi·5 min·Central Avenue
24
Arrive at destination
AR 7
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4-hour and 2-minute drive, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel. Since you are spending the vast majority of your time on highways, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the longer interstate segments, specifically the 65.7-mile stretch on I-49. Leaving in the morning is your best bet to avoid potential traffic congestion as you navigate the transition between I-49 and I-40. Flexibility is a major advantage here; since the route is relatively short, you can easily adjust your departure time to suit your personal schedule. Consider checking local traffic reports for the I-40 corridor before you head out to ensure a smooth transition onto South State Highway 7.
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 110.6 miles from Bentonville, AR, or about 1h 56m 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 49 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 110.6 miles or 1h 56m 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 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lake Hamilton, 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 221.2 miles and 4h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 216.7 — 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
6
216.7 mi into trip|~3h 57m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.41 one way
$66.81 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg77 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$36.67
$73.34
premium
$4.56
$39.70
$79.41
diesel
$5.61
$48.84
$97.68
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
66.4
0
$23.23
$10.62
Efficient EV
55.3
0
$19.35
$8.85
EV Truck/SUV
88.5
1
$30.97
$14.16
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% 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 12, 2026
Origin
Bentonville, AR
Late night
in Bentonville on Tuesday
Local time
4:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Lake Hamilton, AR
Late night
in Lake Hamilton on Tuesday
Local time
4:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Partly Cloudy
0 mph4% chanceLive 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
9 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 2m 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
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 213.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 90% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will start with a significant 65.7-mile stretch on I-49, which provides a consistent, high-speed pace for the first leg of your journey. As you transition onto I-40 and eventually South State Highway 7, the character of the road shifts from busy interstate corridors to more localized highway travel. Expect a mostly uniform driving experience that prioritizes efficiency over technical winding roads. By keeping to these main arteries, you can maintain a steady rhythm behind the wheel for the duration of the 221.2-mile trip.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 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?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 49 and I 40. You will hit about 16 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 221.2 miles you will encounter 16 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 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
Mostly flat terrain
1,273 ft321 ft
Total Climb
541 ft
Total Descent
1,490 ft
Highest Point
1,273 ft
~27.7 mi in
Elevation Range
952 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 Lake Hamilton, 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 2m. Total distance: 221.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). 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 14 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 Lake Hamilton, 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 14 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 4.0 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 Lake Hamilton, AR, but most travelers stay overnight.
