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Trip from Fayetteville, AR to Piney, AR

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 29m

Distance

178.8 mi

288 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$27

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
3h 18m ★
6 AM
3h 30m
8 AM
3h 54m
10 AM
3h 38m
12 PM
3h 36m
3 PM
3h 40m
5 PM
3h 53m
8 PM
3h 22m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Piney, AR, AR

Piney, AR

www.kaboompics.com

Trip Overview

Fayetteville, AR to Piney, AR is 178.8 miles and takes about 3h 29m via US 71, US 270, and I 49, with a fuel budget near $27 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, making it a straightforward drive without significant geographical shifts. Given its relatively short duration and focus on major highways, this route is ideal for a single-day journey. It’s a practical option if you’re looking for an efficient way to get between these two Arkansas points, prioritizing speed and directness over extensive sightseeing.

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

89.4 miles from Fayetteville, AR

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 42m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 71 67.2 mi 1h 21m
US 270 62.9 mi 1h 15m
I 49 40.4 mi 40m
I 40 4.3 mi 4m
South Razorback Road 1.4 mi 2m
West Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard 0.9 mi 2m
South Nelson Hackett Boulevard 0.4 mi <1m
South Cato Springs Road 0.4 mi <1m
Longest stretch: US 71 — 67.2 mi, about 1h 21m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Fayetteville, AR and Piney, AR.

1

Start on this road

320 ft · 28 sec · this road
2

Turn left onto South College Avenue

0.1 mi · 16 sec · South College Avenue
3

Continue on South Nelson Hackett Boulevard

0.4 mi · 53 sec · South Nelson Hackett Boulevard
4

Turn slight left onto South School Avenue

0.1 mi · 20 sec · South School Avenue
5

Turn right onto AR 180

0.9 mi · 2 min · West Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
Use the right lane.
6

Turn left onto AR 16

1.4 mi · 2 min · South Razorback Road
Use the left lane.
7

Continue on AR 265

0.4 mi · 40 sec · South Cato Springs Road
8

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 19 sec
Use the left lane.
9

Merge onto I 49

40 mi · 40 min · I 49
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 24 sec
Toward I 40 West: Van Buren, Fort Smith
11

Merge onto I 40; US 71

4.3 mi · 4 min · I 40; US 71
12

Take the exit onto US 71

12 mi · 14 min · US 71
Toward I 540 South, US 71 South: Fort Smith
13

Take the exit onto US 71

0.3 mi · 44 sec · US 71
Toward US 71 South: Texarkana
14

Turn left onto US 71

55 mi · 1 hr 6 min · US 71
15

Turn left onto US 270

63 mi · 1 hr 15 min · US 270
16

Turn right

114 ft · 12 sec
17

Turn left

164 ft · 12 sec
18

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

With a drive time under four hours, you have plenty of flexibility for when you depart. Leaving Fayetteville in the morning should allow ample time to reach Piney before evening. You'll encounter only one recommended stop, suggesting you can manage your breaks efficiently. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest stretch on US 71, as services might be less frequent than on interstates. Plan your fuel stops strategically to ensure a smooth 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 89.4 miles from Fayetteville, AR, or about 1h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 67.2 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 39 miles or 43m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 89.4 miles or 1h 42m 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 51m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Piney, 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 178.8 miles and 3h 29m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 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 71 for about 67.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Polk County, Arkansas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Mena, AR

89 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Alma, AR

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Booneville, AR

Meal break

The midpoint is around 89.4 miles from Fayetteville, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 71 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 67.2 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Lewis' Family Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

Early stretch 3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20

Fort Smith, Arkansas

Hours: 6 am–3 pm

+14796464309

Mandalay Fusion

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20

Farmington, Arkansas

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14792679494

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 12

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 44 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | South College Avenue

Turn left onto South College Avenue

Navigation decision point

6
0.7 mi into trip | ~1m 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 right lane.
5
1.6 mi into trip | ~4m in | AR 16 / South Razorback Road

Turn left onto AR 16 / South Razorback Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
5
3.6 mi into trip | ~7m in | I 49

Merge onto I 49

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
44 mi into trip | ~48m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 40 West: Van Buren, Fort Smith

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 40 West: Van Buren, Fort Smith

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$27.00 one way

$54.01 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 63 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $29.64 $59.29
premium $4.56 $32.09 $64.18
diesel $5.61 $39.48 $78.95

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$27

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$52–$77

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 62.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 53.6 0 $18.77 $8.58
Efficient EV 44.7 0 $15.65 $7.15
EV Truck/SUV 71.5 0 $25.03 $11.44

Gas CO2

63 kg

EV CO2

21 kg (67% 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 20, 2026

Origin

Fayetteville, AR

Late night in Fayetteville on Tuesday

Local time

5:26 AM

CDT

Current temp

72°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Piney, AR

Late night in Piney on Tuesday

Local time

5:26 AM

CDT

Current temp

77°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

5 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

3h 29m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 98% of the journey on major roads like US 71 and I 49. Expect long stretches of consistent speed, including one uninterrupted segment of 67.2 miles on US 71. The character of the road will feel familiar to anyone accustomed to interstate travel, offering a smooth and direct path. While it prioritizes efficiency, the substantial highway share means you'll be covering ground quickly and with minimal detours.

98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 67.2 mi on US 71.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 71 and US 270. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near South College Avenue.

Driving Effort 5/10

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 178.8 miles you will encounter 12 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 0.1 miles (South College Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles (AR 180 / West Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.6 miles (AR 16 / South Razorback Road): Lane positioning matters here.

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 Fayetteville, AR to Piney, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Fort Smith along the way.

Fort Smith

44 mi in | ~48m

About the Cities

Starting in Fayetteville, AR

Full guide →

Fayetteville is a city of 87,000 people (2018) in the Ozarks and the Ozarks Region of Arkansas. It is home for the main campus of the University of Arkansas, and has many characteristics of a college town, including many bars, restaurants and specialty stores. It serves as a regional hub for live music and performances, with several venues. Fayetteville is also part of the booming Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers-Bentonville metropolitan area in Northwest Arkansas, and has experienced dramatic growth since the 1990s. Fayetteville's core area of interest centers around the historic downtown square and Dickson Street, which runs between Highway 71B (also known as College Avenue) and the University of Arkansas campus, and is the "main drag" for restaurants and bars.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 29m. Total distance: 178.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 29m 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 67.2 miles on US 71. 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.

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: at 0.1 miles (South College Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles (AR 180 / West Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.6 miles (AR 16 / South Razorback Road): Lane positioning matters here.

Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Piney, AR, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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