Embark on a 301.7-mile journey from Dermott to Fayetteville, Arkansas, a drive that will take approximately 5 hours and 27 minutes. This route, primarily on highways, is well-suited for a single day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without an overnight stop. With an estimated fuel cost of $46, it's an economical option for exploring the heart of Arkansas. The drive is mostly focused on highway travel, offering a straightforward path through the state. You'll be traversing within the Southeast region of Arkansas for the entirety of this trip.
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
150.9 miles from Dermott, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 65
202.7 mi
3h 38m
Wiley A Branton Sr Highway
46.7 mi
48m
I 49
40.3 mi
40m
I 30
4.2 mi
5m
US 165
2 mi
3m
East Speedway Street
1.8 mi
3m
South Razorback Road
1.4 mi
2m
West Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
0.9 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
US 65
— 202.7 mi, about 3h 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dermott, AR and Fayetteville, AR.
1
Start on South Main Street
162 ft·9 sec·South Main Street
2
Turn left onto AR 35
1.8 mi·3 min·East Speedway Street
3
Turn left onto US 165
2.0 mi·3 min·US 165
4
At end of road, turn left onto US 65; US 165; US 278
60 mi·1 hr 13 min·US 65; US 165; US 278
5
Continue on US 65; US 425
2.2 mi·3 min·US 65; US 425
6
Continue on I 530; US 65
47 mi·48 min·Wiley A Branton Sr Highway
7
Continue on I 30; US 65; US 67; US 167
4.2 mi·5 min·I 30; US 65; US 67; US 167
8
Keep slight left at fork onto US 65
0.3 mi·35 sec·US 65
Exit 143AToward I 40 West, US 65 North, AR 107 North: Conway, Fort Smith
9
Keep slight left at fork onto US 65
141 mi·2 hr 22 min·US 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·48 sec
Toward I 49 North: Fayetteville
11
Continue on I 49
40 mi·40 min·I 49
Use the slight right lane.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·43 sec
Toward AR 112, AR 265
13
Turn slight right onto AR 265
0.2 mi·23 sec·South Cato Springs Road
14
Continue on South Razorback Road
1.4 mi·2 min·South Razorback Road
15
Turn right onto AR 180
0.9 mi·2 min·West Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Turn left onto South School Avenue
0.1 mi·15 sec·South School Avenue
Use the left lane.
17
Turn slight right onto South Nelson Hackett Boulevard
0.4 mi·52 sec·South Nelson Hackett Boulevard
18
Continue on South College Avenue
0.2 mi·26 sec·South College Avenue
19
Turn right onto East Center Street
147 ft·8 sec·East Center Street
20
Turn right
79 ft·5 sec
21
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5-hour and 27-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Dermott to maximize daylight and minimize traffic. With the longest uninterrupted stretch being over 200 miles on US 65, plan for at least one substantial break around the halfway point to stretch your legs and refuel. The estimated fuel cost of $46 is budget-friendly, but always keep an eye on your gauge, especially during that long stretch on US 65. Since this is a manageable one-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your schedule as needed.
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 150.9 miles from Dermott, AR, or about 2h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 202.7 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 66 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 150.9 miles or 2h 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 4h 29m
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 Dermott, 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 Dermott, AR
This is one driving day of about 301.7 miles and 5h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 66 miles from Dermott, 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 65 for about 202.7 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 116.4 and 301 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
116.4 mi into trip|~2h 16m in|US 65
Keep slight left at fork onto US 65 toward I 40 West, US 65 North, AR 107 North: Conway, Fort Smith
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 143A
Toward I 40 West, US 65 North, AR 107 North: Co...
6
116.7 mi into trip|~2h 17m in|US 65
Keep slight left at fork onto US 65
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
298.1 mi into trip|~5h 20m 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
5
300.1 mi into trip|~5h 24m in|AR 180 / West Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
Turn right onto AR 180 / West Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
301 mi into trip|~5h 26m in|South School Avenue
Turn left onto South School Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.56 one way
$91.13 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg106 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$50.02
$100.04
premium
$4.56
$54.15
$108.30
diesel
$5.61
$66.61
$133.22
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 105.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
90.5
1
$31.68
$14.48
Efficient EV
75.4
0
$26.40
$12.07
EV Truck/SUV
120.7
1
$42.24
$19.31
Gas CO2
106 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Dermott, AR
Evening
in Dermott on Saturday
Local time
8:29 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Fayetteville, AR
Evening
in Fayetteville on Saturday
Local time
8:29 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°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
7 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
5h 27m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Arkansas Post National Memorial
National Memorial
Located at the confluence of two rivers, Arkansas Post has served as a gathering place for many cultures throughout human history - it represents cultural cooperation, conflict, synthesis, and diversi...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 31.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive for the most part, with 83% of the route utilizing major roadways like US 65 and I-49. You'll experience a significant stretch of 202.7 miles on US 65 without interruption, offering a consistent pace. While primarily highway, expect the transition to include sections like Wiley A. Branton Sr. Highway, indicating a move towards more urban or connected areas as you approach your destination. The overall character is one of efficient travel, prioritizing distance covered over winding scenic detours.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 202.7 mi on US 65.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 65 and Wiley A Branton Sr Highway. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 116.4 miles in near US 65.
Driving Effort5/10
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 301.7 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 116.4 miles (US 65): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 116.7 miles (US 65): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 298.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Dermott, AR to Fayetteville, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Fort Smith along the way.
Fort Smith
116.4 mi in|~2h 16m|via US 65
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 27m. Total distance: 301.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 202.7 miles on US 65. 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.
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 116.4 miles (US 65): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 116.7 miles (US 65): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 298.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Arkansas Post National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 10.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Fayetteville, AR before the return drive.
