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Trip from Carlisle, AR to Fayetteville, 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 45m

Distance

215.8 mi

347 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$33

one way

EV Charging

Sparse

1 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
3h 33m ★
6 AM
3h 45m
8 AM
4h 11m
10 AM
3h 54m
12 PM
3h 52m
3 PM
3h 55m
5 PM
4h 9m
8 PM
3h 38m

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 Carlisle, AR, AR

Carlisle, AR

Ollie Craig

Trip Overview

This 215.8-mile drive from Carlisle to Fayetteville, Arkansas, is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-40 and then transitioning to I-49, you'll find this route to be 97% highway, making it a fast-paced trip. The estimated fuel cost for this drive is around $33. Given its efficiency, it's an ideal day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure and arrival times. The drive keeps you within the Southeast region of Arkansas, offering a consistent travel experience throughout.

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

107.9 miles from Carlisle, AR

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 51m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 40 169.7 mi 2h 52m
I 49 40.3 mi 40m
South Razorback Road 1.4 mi 2m
West Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard 0.9 mi 2m
Bobby L Glover Highway 0.6 mi 1m
South Nelson Hackett Boulevard 0.4 mi <1m
North Williams Avenue 0.4 mi <1m
South Cato Springs Road 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 40 — 169.7 mi, about 2h 52m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Carlisle, AR and Fayetteville, AR.

1

Start on North Court Avenue

0.2 mi · 30 sec · North Court Avenue
2

At end of road, turn left onto West 4th Street

363 ft · 12 sec · West 4th Street
3

Turn right onto North Williams Avenue

0.4 mi · 54 sec · North Williams Avenue
4

Continue on West 10th Street

0.2 mi · 28 sec · West 10th Street
5

At end of road, turn right onto AR 13

0.6 mi · 1 min · Bobby L Glover Highway
6

Continue on AR 13

0.2 mi · 20 sec · State Highway 13
7

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 38 sec
8

Merge onto I 40

170 mi · 2 hr 52 min · I 40
Use the straight / right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 48 sec
Toward I 49 North: Fayetteville
10

Continue on I 49

40 mi · 40 min · I 49
Use the slight right lane.
11

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 43 sec
Toward AR 112, AR 265
12

Turn slight right onto AR 265

0.2 mi · 23 sec · South Cato Springs Road
13

Continue on South Razorback Road

1.4 mi · 2 min · South Razorback Road
14

Turn right onto AR 180

0.9 mi · 2 min · West Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
15

Turn left onto South School Avenue

0.1 mi · 15 sec · South School Avenue
Use the left lane.
16

Turn slight right onto South Nelson Hackett Boulevard

0.4 mi · 52 sec · South Nelson Hackett Boulevard
17

Continue on South College Avenue

0.2 mi · 26 sec · South College Avenue
18

Turn right onto East Center Street

147 ft · 8 sec · East Center Street
19

Turn right

79 ft · 5 sec
20

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

With a duration of under 4 hours, this drive is perfect for a single-day excursion, offering flexibility for when you want to depart. Consider leaving in the morning to maximize your time in Fayetteville. The longest stretch without a major turn is 169.7 miles on I-40, so plan for a fuel stop before you begin that segment if needed. While there's only one recommended stop implied by the data, you can always pull over at any of the numerous services available along I-40 and I-49 for a break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the long I-40 stretch, as services can be spaced out.

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 107.9 miles from Carlisle, AR, or about 1h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 169.7 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 47 miles or 49m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 107.9 miles or 1h 51m 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 2m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fayetteville, AR than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Carlisle, 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 Carlisle, AR

This is one driving day of about 215.8 miles and 3h 45m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Carlisle, 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 40 for about 169.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Delaware, AR, AR

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Delaware, AR

108 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

Maumelle, AR

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Delaware, AR

Meal break

The midpoint is around 107.9 miles from Carlisle, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 169.7 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

The Purple Cow Restaurant (North Little Rock)

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

North Little Rock, Arkansas

Near the start, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 30.8

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15019047269

Visit website

The Purple Cow Restaurant (North Little Rock)

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 30.8

North Little Rock, Arkansas

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15019047269

Visit website

Old South Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

5 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 107.9

Russellville, Arkansas

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+14799683789

Visit website

Wiederkehr Wine Cellar & Weinkeller Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 138.7

Wiederkehr Village, Arkansas

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+14794689463

Visit website

Mandalay Fusion

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 215.8

Farmington, Arkansas

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14792679494

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 61.7

Conway, 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 0.2 and 215.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | West 4th Street

At end of road, turn left onto West 4th Street

Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch

5
0.8 mi into trip | ~2m in | AR 13 / Bobby L Glover Highway

At end of road, turn right onto AR 13 / Bobby L Glover Highway

Navigation decision point

5
1.8 mi into trip | ~4m in | I 40

Merge onto I 40

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
5
212.2 mi into trip | ~3h 37m in

Take the exit toward AR 112, AR 265

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

Toward AR 112, AR 265
6
215.1 mi into trip | ~3h 43m in | South School Avenue

Turn left onto South School Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$32.59 one way

$65.18 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 76 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $35.78 $71.55
premium $4.56 $38.73 $77.47
diesel $5.61 $47.65 $95.29

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: 75.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 64.7 0 $22.66 $10.36
Efficient EV 54 0 $18.88 $8.63
EV Truck/SUV 86.3 1 $30.21 $13.81

Gas CO2

76 kg

EV CO2

25 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 12, 2026

Origin

Carlisle, AR

Late night in Carlisle on Sunday

Local time

5:05 AM

CDT

Current temp

83°F

Partly Sunny

S 10 to 20 mph 11% chance Live forecast

Destination

Fayetteville, AR

Late night in Fayetteville on Sunday

Local time

5:05 AM

CDT

Current temp

74°F

Showers And Thunderstorms

S 15 to 20 mph 84% chance Live forecast

79°F

Delaware, AR

108 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

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

3h 45m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive for nearly its entirety, with 97% of the route on major interstates. You'll experience a significant stretch of 169.7 miles on I-40, which provides a consistent and unimpeded pace. While the road is primarily interstate, the transition to I-49 as you approach your destination offers a continuation of this efficient travel. This route is designed for covering distance effectively, rather than for a winding, scenic exploration, with the main roads being I-40 and I-49.

97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 169.7 mi on I 40.

How Hard Is This Drive?

3/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 49. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near West 4th Street.

Driving Effort 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 3h 45m 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: at 0.2 miles (West 4th Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.8 miles (AR 13 / Bobby L Glover Highway): Navigation decision point; at 1.8 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 45m. Total distance: 215.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (97%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 169.7 miles on I 40. 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: at 0.2 miles (West 4th Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.8 miles (AR 13 / Bobby L Glover Highway): Navigation decision point; at 1.8 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Fayetteville, 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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