Diaz to New Caledonia is 222.1 miles and takes about 4h 16m via US 167, I 57, and I 530, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Arkansas, connecting two points in the Southeast region. With 98% of the drive on highways, you'll find it's a pretty direct path. It's a manageable one-day trip, perfect if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground 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
111 miles from Diaz, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 58m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 167
118.2 mi
2h 21m
I 57
85.5 mi
1h 27m
I 530
10 mi
10m
US 79
4.1 mi
6m
Caledonia Road
1.8 mi
6m
I 40
0.9 mi
1m
Martin Luther King Highway
0.8 mi
1m
Air Base Road
0.6 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 167
— 118.2 mi, about 2h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Diaz, AR and New Caledonia, AR.
1
Start on North Main Street
30 ft·6 sec·North Main Street
2
Turn left onto AR 18
0.8 mi·1 min·Martin Luther King Highway
3
Continue on AR 18
0.6 mi·54 sec·Air Base Road
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 57 South, US 67 South: Bald Knob, Little Rock
5
Merge onto I 57
85 mi·1 hr 27 min·I 57
6
Merge onto I 40; US 167
0.9 mi·1 min·I 40; US 167
7
Take the exit onto US 167
4.9 mi·6 min·US 167
Toward I 30 West, US 65 South, US 67 South, US 167 South: Little Rock
8
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.
9
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.
10
Turn right onto US 79; US 167
4.1 mi·6 min·US 79; US 167
11
Keep slight left at fork onto US 167
42 mi·50 min·US 167
Toward US 167: El Dorado
12
Take the exit onto US 167
16 mi·18 min·US 167
Toward US 167 South, AR 7 South: El Dorado, Junction City
13
Turn left onto Caledonia Road
1.8 mi·6 min·Caledonia Road
14
Arrive at destination
Caledonia Road
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 16m duration, leaving in the morning from Diaz is ideal to ensure you arrive in New Caledonia with plenty of daylight. The route's predominantly highway nature means you can cover significant distance quickly, so plan for only one main stop. With a fuel cost estimated at $32, keep an eye on your gauge, especially during the 118.2-mile stretch on US 167. Ensure you have enough fuel before embarking on this longer highway segment to avoid needing to find services unexpectedly.
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 111 miles from Diaz, AR, or about 1h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 118.2 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 49 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 111 miles or 1h 58m 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 24m
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 Diaz, 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 Diaz, AR
This is one driving day of about 222.1 miles and 4h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Diaz, 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 118.2 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 88 and 204.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
88 mi into trip|~1h 32m in|US 167
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
Toward I 30 West, US 65 South, US 67 South, US...
6
92.9 mi into trip|~1h 38m 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
102.9 mi into trip|~1h 48m 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...
5
162.9 mi into trip|~3h 1m in|US 167
Keep slight left at fork onto US 167 toward US 167: El Dorado
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 167: El Dorado
7
204.6 mi into trip|~3h 51m 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
$30.83 one way
$61.66 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg78 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$34.50
$68.99
premium
$4.29
$37.50
$75.01
diesel
$4.80
$41.94
$83.87
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
66.6
0
$23.32
$10.66
Efficient EV
55.5
0
$19.43
$8.88
EV Truck/SUV
88.8
1
$31.09
$14.21
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (67% 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Diaz, AR
Late night
in Diaz on Sunday
Local time
1:36 AM
CDT
Current temp
96°F
Sunny
WSW 5 mph11% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 4:25AM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:07AM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Little Rock AR
Destination
New Caledonia, AR
Late night
in New Caledonia on Sunday
Local time
1:36 AM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Sunny
W 5 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 4:25AM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:07AM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Little Rock AR
92°F
Redfield, AR
111 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
4h 16m 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 to be on major highways for almost the entire trip, with 98% of the 222.1 miles utilizing US 167, I 57, and I 530. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 118.2 miles on US 167. You'll notice a consistent flow of traffic and frequent exits characteristic of highway driving for the majority of the route. The transition to surface roads, if any, will occur towards the very end.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 118.2 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 57. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 88 miles in near US 167.
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 222.1 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 88 miles (US 167): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 92.9 miles (I 530; US 65; US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 102.9 miles (US 167): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
369 ft105 ft
Total Climb
310 ft
Total Descent
356 ft
Highest Point
369 ft
~111.3 mi in
Elevation Range
264 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Diaz, AR and New Caledonia, AR, road signs point toward Fordyce, El Dorado and Junction City.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 16m. Total distance: 222.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 118.2 miles on US 167. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 1 rest area along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 88 miles (US 167): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 92.9 miles (I 530; US 65; US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 102.9 miles (US 167): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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.
