If you are planning a trip from Bull Shoals to Bentonville, expect a journey covering 132.9 miles across the beautiful Southeast region of Arkansas. You should set aside about 2 hours and 56 minutes of actual driving time, making this an ideal one-day excursion. Budget roughly $18 for fuel to complete the trip comfortably. Navigating this route involves primarily local roads rather than high-speed interstates, so it is best to plan for a steady pace. Since the drive is under three hours, you can easily complete it in a single day without needing to book an overnight stay along the way.
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
66.5 miles from Bull Shoals, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 30m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 412
61.8 mi
1h 15m
US 62
47 mi
1h 2m
Central Boulevard
10 mi
17m
I 49
7.3 mi
7m
North Thompson Road
2 mi
3m
Southeast 14th Street
1.1 mi
2m
Southeast J Street
1 mi
2m
South Bloomington Street
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 412
— 61.8 mi, about 1h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bull Shoals, AR and Bentonville, AR.
1
Start on Broadway Avenue
36 ft·3 sec·Broadway Avenue
2
Turn right onto AR 178
10.0 mi·17 min·Central Boulevard
3
Turn right onto US 62; US 412
5.4 mi·6 min·US 62; US 412
4
Turn right onto US 62; US 412
23 mi·25 min·US 62; US 412
5
At end of road, turn right onto US 62; US 65; US 412
7.2 mi·11 min·US 62; US 65; US 412
6
Take the exit onto US 62; US 65; US 412
5.0 mi·7 min·US 62; US 65; US 412
7
Take the exit onto US 62; US 412
6.1 mi·8 min·US 62; US 412
8
Continue on US 62; US 412
0.5 mi·1 min·US 62; US 412
Use the straight / left lanes.
9
Turn left onto US 412
59 mi·1 hr 10 min·US 412
Use the left lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 412
3.0 mi·5 min·US 412
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Continue on US 71B
2.0 mi·3 min·North Thompson Road
12
Continue on US 71B
1.0 mi·1 min·South Bloomington Street
13
Turn left onto AR 264
0.6 mi·54 sec·West Monroe Avenue
14
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·28 sec
15
Merge onto I 49; US 62; US 71
7.3 mi·7 min·I 49; US 62; US 71
16
Take the exit onto US 62; AR 12
0.3 mi·39 sec·US 62; AR 12
Toward US 62 East, AR 12 East, AR 102 West: Southeast 14th Street, Hudson Road
17
Turn left onto AR 12; US 62
1.1 mi·2 min·Southeast 14th Street
18
Turn right onto Southeast J Street
1.0 mi·2 min·Southeast J Street
Use the left lane.
19
Turn left onto East Central Avenue
0.7 mi·2 min·East Central Avenue
Use the left lane.
20
Turn right onto North Main Street
185 ft·6 sec·North Main Street
21
Arrive at destination
North Main Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 132.9-mile journey, try to depart early in the morning to avoid local traffic congestion that often builds up on smaller roads. Since the trip includes one planned stop, use that time to stretch your legs and refresh before tackling the remaining sections of your route. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $18 budget is an estimate that can fluctuate based on your vehicle's efficiency on these winding roads. Because you are traveling entirely on local infrastructure, remain patient and flexible with your timing. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to map out your one stop in advance, as the turn-heavy nature of the route makes spontaneous detours less convenient than they would be on a major highway.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 66.5 miles from Bull Shoals, AR, or about 1h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 61.8 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 29 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 66.5 miles or 1h 30m 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 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bentonville, AR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Bull Shoals, 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 Bull Shoals, AR
This is one driving day of about 132.9 miles and 2h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Bull Shoals, 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 412 for about 61.8 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 37.9 and 131.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
37.9 mi into trip|~49m in|US 62; US 65; US 412
At end of road, turn right onto US 62; US 65; US 412
Navigation decision point
5
56.7 mi into trip|~1h 19m in|US 412
Turn left onto US 412
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
115.5 mi into trip|~2h 29m in|US 412
Keep slight right at fork onto US 412
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
129.8 mi into trip|~2h 49m in|US 62; AR 12
Take the exit onto US 62; AR 12 toward US 62 East, AR 12 East, AR 102 West: Southeast 14th Street, Hudson Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 62 East, AR 12 East, AR 102 West: Sou...
6
131.2 mi into trip|~2h 51m in|Southeast J Street
Turn right onto Southeast J Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.07 one way
$40.14 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg47 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$22.03
$44.07
premium
$4.56
$23.85
$47.71
diesel
$5.61
$29.34
$58.69
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
39.9
0
$13.95
$6.38
Efficient EV
33.2
0
$11.63
$5.32
EV Truck/SUV
53.2
0
$18.61
$8.51
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (65% 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
Bull Shoals, AR
Night
in Bull Shoals on Saturday
Local time
11:43 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bentonville, AR
Night
in Bentonville on Saturday
Local time
11:43 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
75°F
Harrison, AR
66 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
3 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
2h 56m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous highway cruise, this route features zero percent highway share, meaning you will be navigating local roads like Central Boulevard, North Thompson Road, and South Bloomington Street. The character of the road is winding and technical, requiring frequent adjustments rather than long, straight stretches of asphalt. You will find yourself constantly engaged with the road's curves as you transition from Bull Shoals toward Bentonville. It is a drive for those who prefer scenic, local connectivity over the fast-paced, repetitive experience of interstate travel.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 61.8 mi on US 412.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 412 and US 62. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 37.9 miles in near US 62; US 65; US 412.
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 132.9 miles you will encounter 13 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: at 37.9 miles (US 62; US 65; US 412): Navigation decision point; at 56.7 miles (US 412): Lane positioning matters here; at 115.5 miles (US 412): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 2h 56m. Total distance: 132.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 61.8 miles on US 412. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Bentonville, 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: at 37.9 miles (US 62; US 65; US 412): Navigation decision point; at 56.7 miles (US 412): Lane positioning matters here; at 115.5 miles (US 412): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Bentonville, AR before heading back.
