If you are looking to escape Fayetteville, AR for a change of pace in Bull Shoals, AR, this 116.9-mile journey is a straightforward trek across the state. Expect to spend about 2 hours and 38 minutes behind the wheel, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. You will primarily rely on US 412 and US 62 to navigate between these two Southeast locations. With an estimated fuel cost of $18, the trip is quite budget-friendly for a quick getaway. Because the distance is manageable, you can easily complete the drive in one day without feeling rushed, though you should plan for at least one stop to break up the time.
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
58.5 miles from Fayetteville, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 412
40.2 mi
46m
US 62
27.9 mi
31m
West Bowen Boulevard
12.5 mi
18m
US 65
12.4 mi
20m
AR 178
10 mi
17m
North Mission Boulevard
6.4 mi
11m
Main Street
5.9 mi
8m
US 412B
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 412
— 40.2 mi, about 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fayetteville, AR and Bull Shoals, AR.
1
Start on this road
79 ft·11 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto East Center Street
147 ft·8 sec·East Center Street
3
Turn right onto North College Avenue
0.4 mi·58 sec·North College Avenue
4
Turn right onto AR 45
0.4 mi·1 min·East Lafayette Street
5
Turn left onto AR 45
6.4 mi·11 min·North Mission Boulevard
6
Continue on AR 45
12 mi·18 min·West Bowen Boulevard
7
Turn straight onto US 412B
0.5 mi·53 sec·US 412B
8
Turn right onto US 412
40 mi·46 min·US 412
9
Continue on US 62; US 412
5.9 mi·8 min·Main Street
Use the right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·22 sec
11
Turn right onto US 65
12 mi·20 min·US 65
12
Continue on US 62; US 412
28 mi·31 min·US 62; US 412
Use the left lane.
13
Turn left onto AR 178
10 mi·17 min·AR 178
Use the left lane.
14
Turn left onto Broadway Avenue
36 ft·1 sec·Broadway Avenue
15
Arrive at destination
Broadway Avenue
Trip Plan
For the smoothest experience, plan your departure to avoid peak local traffic and ensure you have a comfortable buffer for your one required stop. Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your schedule to match your personal pace, though keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is a smart habit despite the low $18 estimated cost. Given the highway-heavy nature of the route, stay alert during the longer stretches on US 412 where monotony can set in. Prioritize your single planned stop toward the midpoint of the journey to refresh before completing the final leg into Bull Shoals. Taking advantage of the route's simplicity allows you to spend less time navigating and more time enjoying your destination.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 58.5 miles from Fayetteville, AR, or about 1h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 40.2 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 26 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58.5 miles or 1h 17m 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 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bull Shoals, AR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fayetteville, 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 Fayetteville, AR
This is one driving day of about 116.9 miles and 2h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Fayetteville, 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 40.2 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 106.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|East Center Street
Turn left onto East Center Street
Navigation decision point
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|North College Avenue
Turn right onto North College Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|AR 45 / East Lafayette Street
Turn right onto AR 45 / East Lafayette Street
Navigation decision point
4
66.4 mi into trip|~1h 28m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
106.9 mi into trip|~2h 20m in|AR 178
Turn left onto AR 178
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.65 one way
$35.31 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg41 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$19.38
$38.76
premium
$4.56
$20.98
$41.96
diesel
$5.61
$25.81
$51.62
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
35.1
0
$12.27
$5.61
Efficient EV
29.2
0
$10.23
$4.68
EV Truck/SUV
46.8
0
$16.37
$7.48
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (66% 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
Fayetteville, AR
Night
in Fayetteville on Saturday
Local time
11:44 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bull Shoals, AR
Night
in Bull Shoals on Saturday
Local time
11:44 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
75°F
Harrison, AR
58 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
4 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 38m 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?
This highway-focused drive keeps you moving efficiently, with 78% of your travel time spent on major thoroughfares. You will experience a variety of road conditions, starting with a significant 40.2-mile stretch on US 412 that serves as the longest uninterrupted portion of your trip. As you transition onto US 62 and West Bowen Boulevard, the road maintains a steady pace but requires your full attention. The personality of this route is functional and direct, favoring consistent highway travel over technical or winding backroads. Expect a reliable, predictable experience that allows you to cover the distance without unnecessary detours.
78% 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: 40.2 mi on US 412.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 412 and US 62. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Center Street.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 38m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Center Street): Navigation decision point; near the start (North College Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (AR 45 / East Lafayette Street): Navigation decision point.
The longest stretch is about 40.2 miles on US 412. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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: near the start (East Center Street): Navigation decision point; near the start (North College Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (AR 45 / East Lafayette Street): Navigation decision point.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Bull Shoals, AR before heading back.
