If you are looking to travel from Delaware to New Caledonia, Arkansas, prepare for a 219.5-mile journey that takes approximately 4 hours and 18 minutes. This route is best suited as a one-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You will navigate primarily via Union Street, East Main Street, and AR 331, keeping your travel costs manageable with an estimated fuel budget of $30. Since both towns are located within the Southeast region of the state, you will remain within familiar territory throughout the drive. It is a straightforward trip, though the local nature of the roads means you should plan for a steady pace rather than high-speed cruising.
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
109.7 miles from Delaware, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 1m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 167
113.3 mi
2h 14m
I 40
68.7 mi
1h 9m
I 530
10 mi
10m
AR 22
9.2 mi
13m
Union Street
4.9 mi
5m
US 65
4.6 mi
6m
US 79
4.1 mi
6m
East Main Street
2.3 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
US 167
— 113.3 mi, about 2h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Delaware, AR and New Caledonia, AR.
1
Start on Fire Dept Loop
515 ft·27 sec·Fire Dept Loop
2
Turn left onto AR 22
9.2 mi·13 min·AR 22
3
Turn left onto AR 7
4.9 mi·5 min·Union Street
4
Turn right onto US 64
2.3 mi·3 min·East Main Street
5
Turn left onto AR 331
0.3 mi·28 sec·AR 331
Use the left lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 84Toward I-40
7
Merge onto I 40
69 mi·1 hr 9 min·I 40
8
Take the exit onto US 65
4.6 mi·6 min·US 65
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 530; US 65; US 167
10.0 mi·10 min·I 530; US 65; US 167
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit onto US 167
56 mi·1 hr 5 min·US 167
Toward US 167 South: Sheridan, Fordyce, El DoradoUse the straight / right lanes.
11
Turn right onto US 79; US 167
4.1 mi·6 min·US 79; US 167
12
Keep slight left at fork onto US 167
42 mi·50 min·US 167
Toward US 167: El Dorado
13
Take the exit onto US 167
16 mi·18 min·US 167
Toward US 167 South, AR 7 South: El Dorado, Junction City
14
Turn left onto Caledonia Road
1.8 mi·6 min·Caledonia Road
15
Arrive at destination
Caledonia Road
Trip Plan
Because this route consists entirely of local roads, you should build in extra time for your single planned stop to stretch your legs. Starting your day early is recommended to avoid the fatigue that can set in during a 4-hour, 18-minute drive on winding, non-highway roads. Keep your $30 fuel budget in mind when planning your departure, and ensure your vehicle is ready for a trip that demands frequent steering adjustments. Since the route is flexible, you have the advantage of adjusting your pace as needed to match the road conditions. A concrete tip for this specific drive is to keep your navigation tools handy, as the reliance on Union Street, East Main Street, and AR 331 requires precise turns throughout the journey.
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 109.7 miles from Delaware, AR, or about 2h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 113.3 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 48 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 109.7 miles or 2h 1m 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New Caledonia, AR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Delaware, 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 Delaware, AR
This is one driving day of about 219.5 miles and 4h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Delaware, 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 167 for about 113.3 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 16.5 and 202 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
16.5 mi into trip|~23m in|AR 331
Turn left onto AR 331
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
16.7 mi into trip|~24m in
Take the ramp toward I-40
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Exit 84
Toward I-40
6
90.3 mi into trip|~1h 40m in|I 530; US 65; US 167
Keep slight left at fork onto I 530; US 65; US 167
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
100.3 mi into trip|~1h 50m in|US 167
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
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward US 167 South: Sheridan, Fordyce, El Dora...
7
202 mi into trip|~3h 53m in|US 167
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
Toward US 167 South, AR 7 South: El Dorado, Jun...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.15 one way
$66.30 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg77 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$36.39
$72.78
premium
$4.56
$39.40
$78.80
diesel
$5.61
$48.46
$96.93
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: 76.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
65.9
0
$23.05
$10.54
Efficient EV
54.9
0
$19.21
$8.78
EV Truck/SUV
87.8
1
$30.73
$14.05
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Delaware, AR
Night
in Delaware on Saturday
Local time
11:38 PM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 5 to 10 mph48% chanceLive forecast
Destination
New Caledonia, AR
Night
in New Caledonia on Saturday
Local time
11:38 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
4 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
4h 18m on the road
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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous highway experience, as this route features zero percent highway travel. You will navigate a series of surface streets and state routes, meaning there are no long, uninterrupted stretches of road to zone out on. In fact, the longest stretch you will encounter is 0 miles on Union Street, emphasizing the constant need for your attention. The road's personality is defined by its local character, requiring you to stay alert through every turn. You will find that the lack of interstate miles keeps the drive engaging, as you navigate the winding connections between these two Arkansas communities.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 113.3 mi on US 167.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 167 and I 40. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 16.5 miles in near AR 331.
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 219.5 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 16.5 miles (AR 331): Lane positioning matters here; at 16.7 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 90.3 miles (I 530; US 65; US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
481 ft100 ft
Total Climb
362 ft
Total Descent
537 ft
Highest Point
481 ft
~18.3 mi in
Elevation Range
381 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Delaware, AR and New Caledonia, AR, road signs point toward Fordyce, El Dorado and Junction City.
Delaware has beautiful beaches and parks. The more popular beaches are in: Rehoboth Beach, Lewes, Dewey Beach and Bethany Beach. Most parks in Delaware's very extensive and well maintained park system are free or low-cost. The First State National Historical Park a group of historical sites that cover the early colonial history of Delaware and the role Delaware played in the establishment of the United States, leading up to it being the first state to ratify the U.S. Constitution.
It is one of the smallest states in the United States. It has beautiful beaches, and activities vary from business-friendly Wilmington to the rural southern parts of the state.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 18m. Total distance: 219.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 113.3 miles on US 167. 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 New Caledonia, 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 16.5 miles (AR 331): Lane positioning matters here; at 16.7 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 90.3 miles (I 530; US 65; US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.6 hours — manageable with a long break at New Caledonia, AR, but most travelers stay overnight.
