Connecting Clinton to Springdale, this 141.6-mile journey takes you through the heart of Arkansas in approximately 2 hours and 44 minutes. Because the route is a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straightforward interstate sprint, you should plan on this being a full one-day commitment. Budgeting roughly $22 for fuel will cover the transit, making it a budget-friendly option for travelers moving across the state. While both locations are situated within the Southeast region, the shift in geography as you navigate local roads provides a distinct change of pace. It is an ideal trip for those who prefer backroads over high-speed highway travel and want to reach their destination by evening.
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
70.7 miles from Clinton, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 41m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 412
56.4 mi
1h 6m
US 65
35.6 mi
50m
US Highway 65
26.8 mi
37m
US 62
18.8 mi
29m
East Emma Avenue
1.7 mi
3m
Butterfield Coach Road
1.3 mi
2m
US 65B
0.6 mi
1m
Yellowjacket Lane
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 412
— 56.4 mi, about 1h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clinton, AR and Springdale, AR.
1
Start on Yellowjacket Lane
0.1 mi·25 sec·Yellowjacket Lane
2
Turn left onto US 65B
0.6 mi·1 min·US 65B
3
At end of road, turn left onto US 65; AR 9
27 mi·37 min·US Highway 65
4
Continue on US 65; AR 27
36 mi·50 min·US 65; AR 27
5
Continue on US 62; US 65; US 412
7.1 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
56 mi·1 hr 6 min·US 412
Use the left lane.
10
Turn right onto Butterfield Coach Road
1.3 mi·2 min·Butterfield Coach Road
11
Turn left onto East Emma Avenue
1.7 mi·3 min·East Emma Avenue
12
Turn right onto North Commercial Street
0.1 mi·28 sec·North Commercial Street
13
Arrive at destination
North Commercial Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a turn-heavy route, try to depart early in the morning to maximize daylight for navigating the winding sections of Butterfield Coach Road. You only need to plan for one major stop to keep your travel time under the 3-hour mark, though the flexibility of a local route allows you to pull over whenever necessary. Keep a close eye on your gas gauge, as the $22 fuel estimate is based on standard driving conditions and the stop-and-go nature of local roads. Because you are avoiding major highways, maintain a steady pace and stay alert for road signs, especially when transitioning onto East Emma Avenue near your arrival in Springdale. Taking your time on the technical curves will make the drive significantly more comfortable.
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 70.7 miles from Clinton, AR, or about 1h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 56.4 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 31 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 70.7 miles or 1h 41m 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 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Springdale, AR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Clinton, 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 Clinton, AR
This is one driving day of about 141.4 miles and 3h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Clinton, 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 56.4 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 8
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 141.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|US 65B
Turn left onto US 65B
Navigation decision point
4
0.7 mi into trip|~1m in|US 65; AR 9 / US Highway 65
At end of road, turn left onto US 65; AR 9 / US Highway 65
Navigation decision point
3
70.2 mi into trip|~1h 41m in|US 62; US 65; US 412
Take the exit onto US 62; US 65; US 412
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
5
81.9 mi into trip|~1h 58m in|US 412
Turn left onto US 412
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
4
141.3 mi into trip|~3h 11m in|North Commercial Street
Turn right onto North Commercial Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.35 one way
$42.71 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg50 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$23.44
$46.88
premium
$4.56
$25.38
$50.76
diesel
$5.61
$31.22
$62.44
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 49.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
42.4
0
$14.85
$6.79
Efficient EV
35.4
0
$12.37
$5.66
EV Truck/SUV
56.6
0
$19.80
$9.05
Gas CO2
49 kg
EV CO2
17 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
Clinton, AR
Late night
in Clinton on Sunday
Local time
2:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Springdale, AR
Late night
in Springdale on Sunday
Local time
2:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
75°F
Harrison, AR
71 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
2 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 11m 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?
Forget the monotony of high-speed interstates; this route features zero percent highway share, relying instead on Highway 65, Butterfield Coach Road, and East Emma Avenue. You will spend your time navigating technical, winding paths that demand your full attention behind the wheel. The profile is strictly a turn-heavy local drive, meaning you should anticipate constant adjustments rather than long, straight stretches of pavement. This character makes the 141.6-mile distance feel more engaging and physically involved than a typical highway trek. Prepare for a slower, more deliberate pace as you transition through the various local road segments that define this connection.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 56.4 mi on US 412.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 412 and US 65. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 65B.
Driving Effort2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Clinton, AR to Springdale, AR is easy. At 3h 11m with 98% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 65B): Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles (US 65; AR 9 / US Highway 65): Navigation decision point; at 70.2 miles (US 62; US 65; US 412): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
The longest stretch is about 56.4 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.
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 0.1 miles (US 65B): Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles (US 65; AR 9 / US Highway 65): Navigation decision point; at 70.2 miles (US 62; US 65; US 412): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Springdale, AR, but most travelers stay overnight.
