Embarking on the 163.4-mile journey from Calico Rock to Bentonville is a commitment to a scenic, local-focused adventure through Arkansas. Expect to spend approximately 3 hours and 35 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal one-day excursion for those who prefer backroad exploration over highway monotony. With a fuel budget of about $22, this trip remains an affordable way to traverse the state. Because you will be navigating local roads rather than major interstates, you should plan for a steady pace. It is a manageable distance for a single day, allowing you to reach your destination without feeling overly exhausted by the time you arrive.
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
81.7 miles from Calico Rock, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 49m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 412
61.8 mi
1h 15m
US 62
41.7 mi
56m
AR 5
23.6 mi
35m
Shield-Hopper Bypass
19.1 mi
22m
I 49
7.3 mi
7m
North Thompson Road
2 mi
3m
Shied-Hopper Bypass
1.7 mi
2m
Southeast 14th Street
1.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
US 412
— 61.8 mi, about 1h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Calico Rock, AR and Bentonville, AR.
1
Start on AR 56
0.4 mi·39 sec·AR 56
2
Continue on AR 5
16 mi·23 min·AR 5
3
Keep slight left at fork onto AR 5
8.0 mi·12 min·AR 5
4
Turn left onto Rossi Road
1.0 mi·2 min·Rossi Road
5
Turn right onto Arkanna Road
176 ft·4 sec·Arkanna Road
6
Turn left onto US 62; US 412
1.7 mi·2 min·Shied-Hopper Bypass
7
Continue on US 62; US 412
19 mi·22 min·Shield-Hopper Bypass
8
Turn right onto US 62; US 412
23 mi·25 min·US 62; US 412
9
At end of road, turn right onto US 62; US 65; US 412
7.2 mi·11 min·US 62; US 65; US 412
10
Take the exit onto US 62; US 65; US 412
5.0 mi·7 min·US 62; US 65; US 412
11
Take the exit onto US 62; US 412
6.1 mi·8 min·US 62; US 412
12
Continue on US 62; US 412
0.5 mi·1 min·US 62; US 412
Use the straight / left lanes.
13
Turn left onto US 412
59 mi·1 hr 10 min·US 412
Use the left lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto US 412
3.0 mi·5 min·US 412
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Continue on US 71B
2.0 mi·3 min·North Thompson Road
16
Continue on US 71B
1.0 mi·1 min·South Bloomington Street
17
Turn left onto AR 264
0.6 mi·54 sec·West Monroe Avenue
18
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·28 sec
19
Merge onto I 49; US 62; US 71
7.3 mi·7 min·I 49; US 62; US 71
20
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
21
Turn left onto AR 12; US 62
1.1 mi·2 min·Southeast 14th Street
22
Turn right onto Southeast J Street
1.0 mi·2 min·Southeast J Street
Use the left lane.
23
Turn left onto East Central Avenue
0.7 mi·2 min·East Central Avenue
Use the left lane.
24
Turn right onto North Main Street
185 ft·6 sec·North Main Street
25
Arrive at destination
North Main Street
Trip Plan
Since this route involves a 3-hour and 35-minute drive on local roads, hitting the road early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid fatigue. With only one planned stop recommended, you have the flexibility to pull over whenever you need a quick break, but keep in mind that local services might be less frequent than on a major highway. Ensure your vehicle is fueled up before departing, keeping that $22 fuel estimate in mind for your budget. Pay close attention to the frequent turns on Rossi and Arkanna roads, as the navigation can be tricky. This route is all about the journey, so embrace the slower pace and take your time through the turns.
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 81.7 miles from Calico Rock, AR, or about 1h 49m 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 36 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 81.7 miles or 1h 49m 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 53m
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 Calico Rock, 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 Calico Rock, AR
This is one driving day of about 163.4 miles and 3h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Calico Rock, 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 68.4 and 161.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
68.4 mi into trip|~1h 28m in|US 62; US 65; US 412
At end of road, turn right onto US 62; US 65; US 412
Navigation decision point
5
87.2 mi into trip|~1h 57m in|US 412
Turn left onto US 412
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
146 mi into trip|~3h 8m 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
160.3 mi into trip|~3h 28m 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
161.7 mi into trip|~3h 30m in|Southeast J Street
Turn right onto Southeast J Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.68 one way
$49.35 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg57 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$27.09
$54.18
premium
$4.56
$29.33
$58.66
diesel
$5.61
$36.08
$72.15
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 57.2 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
49
0
$17.16
$7.84
Efficient EV
40.9
0
$14.30
$6.54
EV Truck/SUV
65.4
0
$22.88
$10.46
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 14, 2026
Origin
Calico Rock, AR
Morning
in Calico Rock on Sunday
Local time
9:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bentonville, AR
Morning
in Bentonville on Sunday
Local time
9:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 15 mph10% chanceLive forecast
75°F
Harrison, AR
82 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
8 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
3h 35m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Forget the cruise control, as this 100% non-highway route is defined by technical, turn-heavy local roads. You will spend your time navigating Rossi Road, Arkanna Road, and the Shied-Hopper Bypass, which demand your full attention and driving skill. Unlike a monotonous interstate grind, this journey requires a more engaged driving style due to the constant curves and local road conditions. The personality of this drive is strictly rural and intimate, keeping you off the high-speed thoroughfares. Prepare for a winding path that prioritizes navigation and road awareness over high-speed travel.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 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?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 412 and US 62. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 68.4 miles in near US 62; US 65; US 412.
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 15 significant decision points across 163.4 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: at 68.4 miles (US 62; US 65; US 412): Navigation decision point; at 87.2 miles (US 412): Lane positioning matters here; at 146 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 3h 35m. Total distance: 163.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). 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.
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 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 68.4 miles (US 62; US 65; US 412): Navigation decision point; at 87.2 miles (US 412): Lane positioning matters here; at 146 miles (US 412): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Bentonville, AR, but most travelers stay overnight.
