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Trip from Bentonville, AR to Mena, AR

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 5m

Distance

162 mi

261 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$24

one way

EV Charging

Good

6 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min
4 AM
2h 54m ★
6 AM
3h 6m
8 AM
3h 29m
10 AM
3h 14m
12 PM
3h 12m
3 PM
3h 15m
5 PM
3h 28m
8 PM
2h 59m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Bentonville, AR, AR

Bentonville, AR

Wikimedia Commons

city in Polk County, Arkansas, United States

Mena, AR

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 162-mile drive from Bentonville to Mena, Arkansas, can comfortably be completed in just over 3 hours, making it an ideal one-day trip. The route is predominantly highway, with 98% of the journey on major roads like US 71, I-49, and I-40. You'll likely spend around $24 on fuel for this excursion. Given its relatively short duration and highway focus, it's a straightforward drive that allows for plenty of flexibility in your timing. The journey remains within the Southeast region, offering a consistent travel experience.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

81 miles from Bentonville, AR

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 28m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 71 88.3 mi 1h 45m
I 49 65.7 mi 1h 8m
I 40 4.3 mi 4m
Southeast J Street 1 mi 2m
Southeast 14th Street 1 mi 1m
East Central Avenue 0.7 mi 2m
Mena Street 0.3 mi <1m
US 62 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: US 71 — 88.3 mi, about 1h 45m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Bentonville, AR and Mena, 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 right at fork

0.3 mi · 24 sec
Toward I 40 West: Van Buren, Fort Smith
8

Merge onto I 40; US 71

4.3 mi · 4 min · I 40; US 71
9

Take the exit onto US 71

12 mi · 14 min · US 71
Toward I 540 South, US 71 South: Fort Smith
10

Take the exit onto US 71

0.3 mi · 44 sec · US 71
Toward US 71 South: Texarkana
11

Turn left onto US 71

76 mi · 1 hr 30 min · US 71
12

Turn right onto AR 88

0.3 mi · 38 sec · Mena Street
13

Turn left onto Church Avenue

375 ft · 18 sec · Church Avenue
14

Turn right onto DeQueen Street

80 ft · 3 sec · DeQueen Street
15

Arrive at destination

DeQueen Street

Trip Plan

With a total duration of only 3 hours and 5 minutes, this trip offers a great deal of flexibility. You can leave in the morning and be in Mena by lunchtime, or opt for a leisurely afternoon departure. Since the longest uninterrupted stretch is 88.3 miles on US 71, plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly, perhaps before embarking on that longer segment. The estimated fuel cost of $24 is quite manageable, so don't worry too much about frequent fill-ups, but it's always wise to start with a full tank.

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 81 miles from Bentonville, AR, or about 1h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 88.3 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 36 miles or 40m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 81 miles or 1h 28m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 30m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mena, 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 162 miles and 3h 5m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 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 US 71 for about 88.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Barling, AR, AR

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Barling, AR

81 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Fayetteville, AR

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Fort Smith, AR

Meal break

The midpoint is around 81 miles from Bentonville, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 71 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 88.3 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

George's Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Fort Smith, Arkansas

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 81

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+14797851199

Visit website

Phở Việtnam

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Fort Smith, Arkansas

2.5 mi

George's Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 81

Fort Smith, Arkansas

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+14797851199

Visit website

Phở Việtnam

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 81

Fort Smith, Arkansas

Hours: 10:30 am–8 pm

+14797823227

Visit website

Neumeier's Whippoorwill Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 81

Fort Smith, Arkansas

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+14797692095

Visit website

Lewis' Family Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 81

Fort Smith, Arkansas

Hours: 6 am–3 pm

+14796464309

Mandalay Fusion

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 23.1

Farmington, Arkansas

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14792679494

Visit website

ClipperCreek Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour

Bentonville, Arkansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Bentonville, Arkansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Bentonville, Arkansas

+18887584389

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the start, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour

Bentonville, Arkansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the start, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour

Bentonville, Arkansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Bentonville, Arkansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 11

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 73.3 — 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 right at fork toward I 40 West: Van Buren, Fort Smith

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 40 West: Van Buren, Fort Smith
5
73.3 mi into trip | ~1h 19m in | US 71

Take the exit onto US 71 toward I 540 South, US 71 South: Fort Smith

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 540 South, US 71 South: Fort Smith

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$24.47 one way

$48.93 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 57 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $26.86 $53.72
premium $4.56 $29.08 $58.15
diesel $5.61 $35.77 $71.54

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$24

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$49–$74

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 56.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 48.6 0 $17.01 $7.78
Efficient EV 40.5 0 $14.17 $6.48
EV Truck/SUV 64.8 0 $22.68 $10.37

Gas CO2

57 kg

EV CO2

19 kg (67% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

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

Mena, AR

Night in Mena on Saturday

Local time

11:36 PM

CDT

Current temp

72°F

Unavailable

Live 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

1 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

3h 5m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this trip, with 98% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll cover a significant stretch of 88.3 miles on US 71 without interruption, offering a consistent pace. The profile suggests a drive that primarily keeps you on well-maintained highways, minimizing time on slower, local roads. This means fewer opportunities for spontaneous stops but a more direct and efficient journey between Bentonville and Mena.

98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 88.3 mi on US 71.

How Hard Is This Drive?

4/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 71 and I 49. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Central Avenue.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 3h 5m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow 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.

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 Mena, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Fort Smith along the way.

Fort Smith

68.7 mi in | ~1h 14m

About the Cities

Starting in Bentonville, AR

Full guide →

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".

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 5m. Total distance: 162 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (98%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 88.3 miles on US 71. 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.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

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.

Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Mena, AR, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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