Skip to main content
US Trip Planner Logo
US Trip Planner

Trip from Lonoke, AR to New Caledonia, AR

Pin this trip

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

Drive Time

3h 10m

Distance

155.9 mi

251 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$24

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min
4 AM
2h 59m ★
6 AM
3h 10m
8 AM
3h 34m
10 AM
3h 19m
12 PM
3h 16m
3 PM
3h 20m
5 PM
3h 33m
8 PM
3h 3m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
city in and county seat of Lonoke County, Arkansas, United States

Lonoke, AR

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown New Caledonia, AR, AR

New Caledonia, AR

Dominik Ruhl

Trip Overview

This 155.9-mile journey from Lonoke, Arkansas, to New Caledonia, Arkansas, is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 3 hours and 10 minutes. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, with 97% of the drive being on interstates and US routes like US 167, I-40, and I-530. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is $24, making it an economical option. This route is a straightforward highway-focused drive, perfect for those looking to get from point A to point B efficiently within the Southeast region of Arkansas. With just one recommended stop, it’s a manageable day trip.

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

77.9 miles from Lonoke, AR

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 31m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 167 113.3 mi 2h 14m
I 40 13.2 mi 13m
I 530 9.7 mi 9m
East Belt Freeway 9.2 mi 10m
US 79 4.1 mi 6m
Caledonia Road 1.8 mi 6m
State Highway 89 1.6 mi 2m
Front Street Southeast 0.9 mi 1m
Longest stretch: US 167 — 113.3 mi, about 2h 14m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lonoke, AR and New Caledonia, AR.

1

Start on this road

23 ft · 3 sec · this road
2

Turn right onto US 70

0.9 mi · 1 min · Front Street Southeast
3

Turn sharp right onto AR 89

0.3 mi · 27 sec · Hwy 89
4

Continue on AR 89

1.6 mi · 2 min · State Highway 89
5

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 48 sec
6

Merge onto I 40

13 mi · 13 min · I 40
7

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec
Toward I 40, AR 440: Jacksonville, Texarkana Use the straight / right lanes.
8

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 1 min
Toward I 440 West: Texarkana
9

Merge onto I 440

9.2 mi · 10 min · East Belt Freeway
10

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 58 sec
Toward I 530 South, US 65 South, US 167 South: Pine Bluff
11

Merge onto I 530; US 65; US 167

9.7 mi · 9 min · I 530; US 65; US 167
12

Take the exit onto US 167

56 mi · 1 hr 5 min · US 167
Toward US 167 South: Sheridan, Fordyce, El Dorado Use the straight / right lanes.
13

Turn right onto US 79; US 167

4.1 mi · 6 min · US 79; US 167
14

Keep slight left at fork onto US 167

42 mi · 50 min · US 167
Toward US 167: El Dorado
15

Take the exit onto US 167

16 mi · 18 min · US 167
Toward US 167 South, AR 7 South: El Dorado, Junction City
16

Turn left onto Caledonia Road

1.8 mi · 6 min · Caledonia Road
17

Arrive at destination

Caledonia Road

Trip Plan

Given the modest 3-hour and 10-minute duration for the 155.9-mile drive, this route is best tackled as a single-day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Plan for your one recommended stop to coincide with a natural break point, perhaps around the 113.3-mile mark where US 167 dominates. The $24 fuel cost suggests you can likely complete the journey on a single tank, but it's always wise to confirm your fuel level before setting out, especially since you'll be on major highways like I-40 and I-530. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as services can be spaced out on certain highway stretches.

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 77.9 miles from Lonoke, AR, or about 1h 31m 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 34 miles or 39m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 77.9 miles or 1h 31m 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 32m

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 Lonoke, 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 Lonoke, AR

This is one driving day of about 155.9 miles and 3h 10m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Lonoke, 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.

city in Arkansas, USA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Walnut Ridge, AR

78 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.

Popular next leg

Walnut Ridge, AR to New Caledonia, AR

109.3 mi · 2h 24m

Pacing Suggestions

Little Rock, AR

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Fordyce, AR

Meal break

The midpoint is around 77.9 miles from Lonoke, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 167 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 113.3 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.

Best meal stop · early in the drive

Jo's Diner

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Sheridan, Arkansas

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch · 1h 8m in 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+18709421345

Yellowjacket Drive-In

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Sheridan, Arkansas

2 mi

Lady Birds Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Sheridan, Arkansas

2 mi

Best coffee break

Cozy Nook Café

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lonoke, Arkansas

Near the start, right off the route

0 mi from route $10 to $20

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

+15012828343

Visit website

Jo's Diner

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Sheridan, Arkansas

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+18709421345

Yellowjacket Drive-In

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Sheridan, Arkansas

Hours: 10:30 am–8 pm

+18709422486

Lady Birds Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Sheridan, Arkansas

Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm

+18709424163

Wright's Ranch House

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Sheridan, Arkansas

Hours: 10:30 am–8:30 pm

+18709172121

Visit website

Uncle Henry’s BBQ

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Sheridan, Arkansas

Hours: 10 am–3 pm

+18709423937

Two Brothers Hibachi

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Sheridan, Arkansas

Hours: 10:30 am–8 pm

+18709410559

El buen sazón 2

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 2 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30

Sheridan, Arkansas

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+18708834848

Rosie's | Pot & Kettle Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Little Rock, Arkansas

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+15017471456

Visit website

Cozy Nook Café

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0 mi from route $10 to $20

Lonoke, Arkansas

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

+15012828343

Visit website

Cravings Coffee Bar and Bistro

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10

Hensley, Arkansas

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+15018608689

Visit website

Lonoke County Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route

Lonoke, Arkansas

Hours: 9 am–4 pm

+15016766750

Visit website

Laredo Grill Restaurant

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

El Dorado, Arkansas

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+18708751722

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 16.3 and 138.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
16.3 mi into trip | ~18m in

Take the exit toward I 40, AR 440: Jacksonville, Texarkana

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 I 40, AR 440: Jacksonville, Texarkana
5
16.6 mi into trip | ~19m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 440 West: Texarkana

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 440 West: Texarkana
5
26.6 mi into trip | ~31m in

Take the exit toward I 530 South, US 65 South, US 167 South: Pine Bluff

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 530 South, US 65 South, US 167 South:...
7
36.7 mi into trip | ~42m 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
138.4 mi into trip | ~2h 45m 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

$23.54 one way

$47.09 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 55 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $25.85 $51.69
premium $4.56 $27.98 $55.96
diesel $5.61 $34.42 $68.84

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$24

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$49–$74

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 54.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 46.8 0 $16.37 $7.48
Efficient EV 39 0 $13.64 $6.24
EV Truck/SUV 62.4 0 $21.83 $9.98

Gas CO2

55 kg

EV CO2

18 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

Lonoke, AR

Morning in Lonoke on Tuesday

Local time

7:42 AM

CDT

Current temp

46°F

Clear

0 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Destination

New Caledonia, AR

Morning in New Caledonia on Tuesday

Local time

7:42 AM

CDT

Current temp

44°F

Mostly Clear

0 mph 0% chance Live forecast

79°F

Walnut Ridge, AR

78 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

3h 10m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience for this 155.9-mile trip. The road will largely consist of high-speed travel on US 167, I-40, and I-530, accounting for 97% of your journey. You'll encounter one significant stretch of 113.3 miles primarily on US 167, offering a consistent pace. This drive is characterized by its efficiency, minimizing detours and maximizing forward momentum. The personality of the road is that of a functional corridor designed for travel between locations within Arkansas.

97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 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 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 16.3 miles in.

Driving Effort 6/10

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 155.9 miles you will encounter 14 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 16.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 26.6 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.

Between Lonoke, AR and New Caledonia, AR, road signs point toward Texarkana, Fordyce, El Dorado and Junction City.

Texarkana

16.3 mi in | ~18m

Fordyce

36.7 mi in | ~42m | via US 167

El Dorado

36.7 mi in | ~42m | via US 167

Junction City

138.4 mi in | ~2h 45m | via US 167

Detours Along the Way

Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.

PJ's Coffee

Cafe

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3 mi from route ~7 min detour

El Dorado, AR

Sonic

Fast_food

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Lonoke, AR

Cuisine: burger

Hours: Mo-Th 06:00-23:00; Fr-Sa 06:00-24:00; Su...

Visit website

McDonald's

Fast_food

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

Cuisine: burger

Visit website

Subway

Fast_food

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

Cuisine: sandwich

McDonald's

Fast_food

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

North Little Rock, AR

Cuisine: burger

Hours: 05:00-23:00

Visit website

Chicken Express

Fast_food

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

Cuisine: chicken

Mariachi Grill

Restaurant

Near the start, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Cuisine: mexican

Ketchum Park

Park

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

El Dorado Recreation Complex

Park

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour

Mellor Park

Park

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Bodenhamer Park

Park

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour

Mosby Park

Park

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Murphy Arts District Park

Park

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour

Hours: 24/7

Lonoke Confederate Monument

Memorial

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route

El Dorado Confederate Monument

Memorial

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3 mi from route ~7 min detour

Perrys

Motel

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour

Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 10m. Total distance: 155.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (97%). 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 16.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 26.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.3 hours — manageable with a long break at New Caledonia, 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.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From New Caledonia, AR

Bella Vista, AR 351.3 mi · 6h 32m Bentonville, AR 342 mi · 6h 20m Fayetteville, AR 317.2 mi · 5h 53m Berryville, AR 296.3 mi · 6h 28m

More from Lonoke, AR

Rogers, AR 228 mi · 4h 1m Fayetteville, AR 207.4 mi · 3h 37m Fort Smith, AR 176.5 mi · 3h 4m Conway, AR 50.2 mi · 57m

More trips to New Caledonia, AR

Goshen, AR 330.3 mi Lincoln, AR 324.3 mi Farmington, AR 320 mi Prairie Grove, AR 318.6 mi Bay, AR 268.6 mi Flippin, AR 266.9 mi
Escape planner: Lonoke, AR Scenic drives in AR

Explore more options from Lonoke, AR or browse trips ending in New Caledonia, AR.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AR road trips.