Marcela’s Mexican Restaurant
Later in the drive, short detour
Fordyce, Arkansas
Hours: 11 AM–9 PM
+18703520454
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 41m
Distance
298.8 mi
481 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$47
one way
EV Charging
Sparse
1 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Corning, AR
Wikimedia Commons
New Caledonia, AR
Dominik Ruhl
Corning, AR to New Caledonia, AR is 298.8 miles and takes about 5h 41m via I 57 and US 167, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Arkansas, traversing the Southeast region for its entirety. Given its mostly highway profile and manageable duration, this route is well-suited for a single-day drive. You'll find it a straightforward path for getting from point A to point B without extensive planning.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
149.4 miles from Corning, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 40m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 57 | 122.9 mi | 2h 7m |
| US 167 | 118.2 mi | 2h 21m |
| West Main Street | 27.3 mi | 31m |
| US 67 | 13.1 mi | 15m |
| I 530 | 10 mi | 10m |
| US 79 | 4.1 mi | 6m |
| Caledonia Road | 1.8 mi | 6m |
| I 40 | 0.9 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Corning, AR and New Caledonia, AR.
Start on US 62
Turn right onto US 62
Turn left onto US 62; US 67
Continue on US 67; AR 90
Keep slight left at fork onto US 67
Continue on I 57
Merge onto I 40; US 167
Take the exit onto US 167
Keep slight left at fork onto I 530; US 65; US 167
Take the exit onto US 167
Turn right onto US 79; US 167
Keep slight left at fork onto US 167
Take the exit onto US 167
Turn left onto Caledonia Road
Arrive at destination
For this 5h 41m drive, leaving early in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and avoid any potential afternoon traffic. Since it’s a single-day trip covering 298.8 miles, planning for one primary stop around the halfway mark will keep you refreshed. Keep an eye on your fuel; the estimated cost is $43, so be sure to fill up before you hit longer stretches like the 122.9 miles on I 57. The transition from highway to surface roads will happen as you near New Caledonia, so be prepared to adjust your speed.
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.
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 66 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 149.4 miles or 2h 40m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New Caledonia, AR than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Corning, 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 Corning, AR
This is one driving day of about 298.8 miles and 5h 41m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
149 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.
A short stop after about 66 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 149.4 miles from Corning, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 57 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 122.9 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Best meal stop · final third
Fordyce, Arkansas
Later in the drive, short detour
Hours: 11 AM–9 PM
+18703520454
Granny's Grill & Family Diner
Hampton, Arkansas
Bulldog Drive-In
Hampton, Arkansas
Best coffee break · around the midpoint
Little Rock, Arkansas
Around the midpoint, short detour
Hours: 8 AM–8 PM
+15014140423
Legends Cafe Fordyce
Fordyce, Arkansas
Rosie's | Pot & Kettle Cafe
Little Rock, Arkansas
Later in the drive, short detour
Fordyce, Arkansas
Hours: 11 AM–9 PM
+18703520454
Near the end, short detour
Hampton, Arkansas
Hours: 6 AM–10 PM
+18707984824
Near the end, short detour
Hampton, Arkansas
Hours: 10:30 AM–8 PM
+18707984525
Later in the drive, short detour
Fordyce, Arkansas
Hours: 6 AM–2 PM
+18703520355
Later in the drive, short detour
Fordyce, Arkansas
Hours: 6 AM–9 PM
+18703527803
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Little Rock, Arkansas
Hours: 4–9 PM
+15012954457
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Hampton, Arkansas
Later in the drive, short detour
Fordyce, Arkansas
Hours: 11 AM–8 PM
+18703527890
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Little Rock, Arkansas
Hours: 8 AM–8 PM
+15014140423
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Fordyce, Arkansas
+18703522041
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Little Rock, Arkansas
Hours: 6 AM–2 PM
+15017471456
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~9 min detour
Little Rock, Arkansas
Hours: 11 AM–9 PM
+15019042133
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Little Rock, Arkansas
Hours: 6 AM–7 PM
+15018917220
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~10 min detour
Little Rock, Arkansas
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+15015621515
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~10 min detour
North Little Rock, Arkansas
Hours: 11 am–2 pm
+15013762900
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~12 min detour
Jacksonville, Arkansas
Hours: 7 am–8 pm
+15014530866
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, ~11 min detour
Newport, Arkansas
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18668167584
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Fordyce, Arkansas
Hours: 3 AM–10 PM
+18703524000
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 164.8 and 281.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the exit onto US 167 toward I 30 West, US 65 South, US 67 South, US 167 South: Little Rock
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto I 530; US 65; US 167
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit onto US 167 toward US 167 South: Sheridan, Fordyce, El Dorado
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto US 167 toward US 167: El Dorado
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Take the exit onto US 167 toward US 167 South, AR 7 South: El Dorado, Junction City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$46.51 one way
$93.03 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $51.28 | $102.56 |
| premium | $4.71 | $55.42 | $110.84 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $72.69 | $145.38 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$47
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 104.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 89.6 | 1 | $31.37 | $14.34 |
| Efficient EV | 74.7 | 0 | $26.15 | $11.95 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 119.5 | 1 | $41.83 | $19.12 |
Gas CO2
105 kg
EV CO2
35 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Corning on Tuesday
Local time
10:43 AM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Clear
Destination
Morning in New Caledonia on Tuesday
Local time
10:43 AM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Mostly Clear
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
This drive is primarily on highways, with 90% of the 298.8 miles covered on faster roads like I 57 and US 167. You'll encounter a substantial stretch of 122.9 miles on I 57, offering a consistent cruising experience. The final portion of your trip will transition to West Main Street, indicating a shift to more local roads as you approach your destination.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and US 167. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 164.8 miles in near US 167.
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 298.8 miles you will encounter 11 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 164.8 miles (US 167): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 169.7 miles (I 530; US 65; US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 179.6 miles (US 167): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
116 ft
Total Descent
223 ft
Highest Point
294 ft
Elevation Range
124 ft
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Corning, AR and New Caledonia, AR, road signs point toward Fordyce, El Dorado and Junction City.
Fordyce
El Dorado
Junction City
Founded 1877
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 41m. Total distance: 298.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Corning, AR or browse trips ending in New Caledonia, AR.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AR road trips.