This 199.7-mile drive from Melbourne to Bentonville in Arkansas is a solid day trip, taking about 4 hours and 15 minutes. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, with 82% of the route being highway driving, making it a straightforward journey. With an estimated fuel cost of around $30, it's an economical option for a weekend adventure. This route is perfect if you're looking for a direct path through the Southeast region of Arkansas, offering a functional way to cover ground without extensive planning. Consider this for a single-day excursion, as it's easily manageable within daylight hours.
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
99.9 miles from Melbourne, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 62
74.4 mi
1h 33m
US 412
61.8 mi
1h 15m
State Highway 9
19.3 mi
28m
Shield-Hopper Bypass
19.1 mi
22m
I 49
7.3 mi
7m
Shied-Hopper Bypass
5.4 mi
6m
Dixon Street
3.9 mi
5m
North Thompson Road
2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
US 62
— 74.4 mi, about 1h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Melbourne, AR and Bentonville, AR.
1
Start on Locus Street
99 ft·9 sec·Locus Street
2
Turn left onto AR 9
440 ft·12 sec·Main Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto AR 9
3.9 mi·5 min·Dixon Street
4
Continue on AR 9
19 mi·28 min·State Highway 9
5
Continue on AR 9
1.5 mi·2 min·South Main Street
6
Turn left onto US 62; US 412
33 mi·37 min·US 62; US 412
7
Turn left onto US 62; US 412
332 ft·4 sec·Shield-Hopper Highway
8
Continue on US 62; US 412
5.4 mi·6 min·Shied-Hopper Bypass
9
Continue on US 62; US 412
19 mi·22 min·Shield-Hopper Bypass
10
Turn right onto US 62; US 412
23 mi·25 min·US 62; US 412
11
At end of road, turn right onto US 62; US 65; US 412
7.2 mi·11 min·US 62; US 65; US 412
12
Take the exit onto US 62; US 65; US 412
5.0 mi·7 min·US 62; US 65; US 412
13
Take the exit onto US 62; US 412
6.1 mi·8 min·US 62; US 412
14
Continue on US 62; US 412
0.5 mi·1 min·US 62; US 412
Use the straight / left lanes.
15
Turn left onto US 412
59 mi·1 hr 10 min·US 412
Use the left lane.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto US 412
3.0 mi·5 min·US 412
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Continue on US 71B
2.0 mi·3 min·North Thompson Road
18
Continue on US 71B
1.0 mi·1 min·South Bloomington Street
19
Turn left onto AR 264
0.6 mi·54 sec·West Monroe Avenue
20
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·28 sec
21
Merge onto I 49; US 62; US 71
7.3 mi·7 min·I 49; US 62; US 71
22
Take the exit onto US 62; AR 12
0.3 mi·39 sec·US 62; AR 12
Toward US 62 East, AR 12 East, AR 102 West: Southeast 14th Street, Hudson Road
23
Turn left onto AR 12; US 62
1.1 mi·2 min·Southeast 14th Street
24
Turn right onto Southeast J Street
1.0 mi·2 min·Southeast J Street
Use the left lane.
25
Turn left onto East Central Avenue
0.7 mi·2 min·East Central Avenue
Use the left lane.
26
Turn right onto North Main Street
185 ft·6 sec·North Main Street
27
Arrive at destination
North Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour, 15-minute duration, starting your journey from Melbourne in the morning allows ample time to reach Bentonville without feeling rushed. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility to determine your own pace. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the longest stretch without significant turnoffs is over 74 miles. The estimated fuel cost of $30 is a good budget to plan around. Since this is a manageable one-day trip, you can depart at your leisure, but an early start is always advisable for longer drives to maximize your day.
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 99.9 miles from Melbourne, AR, or about 2h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 74.4 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 44 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 99.9 miles or 2h 2m 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bentonville, AR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Melbourne, 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 Melbourne, AR
This is one driving day of about 199.7 miles and 4h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Melbourne, 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 62 for about 74.4 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 104.7 and 198 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
104.7 mi into trip|~2h 8m in|US 62; US 65; US 412
At end of road, turn right onto US 62; US 65; US 412
Navigation decision point
5
123.5 mi into trip|~2h 38m in|US 412
Turn left onto US 412
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
182.3 mi into trip|~3h 48m in|US 412
Keep slight right at fork onto US 412
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
196.6 mi into trip|~4h 8m in|US 62; AR 12
Take the exit onto US 62; AR 12 toward US 62 East, AR 12 East, AR 102 West: Southeast 14th Street, Hudson Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 62 East, AR 12 East, AR 102 West: Sou...
6
198 mi into trip|~4h 11m in|Southeast J Street
Turn right onto Southeast J Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.16 one way
$60.32 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg70 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$33.11
$66.22
premium
$4.56
$35.84
$71.69
diesel
$5.61
$44.09
$88.18
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 69.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
59.9
0
$20.97
$9.59
Efficient EV
49.9
0
$17.47
$7.99
EV Truck/SUV
79.9
0
$27.96
$12.78
Gas CO2
70 kg
EV CO2
23 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
Melbourne, AR
Morning
in Melbourne on Tuesday
Local time
8:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bentonville, AR
Morning
in Bentonville on Tuesday
Local time
8:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
73°F
Harrison, AR
100 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 15m 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 a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 199.7-mile trip. The route primarily utilizes US 62, US 412, and State Highway 9, contributing to its 82% highway share. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 74.4 miles on US 62, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent driving. While largely highway, the mix of these main roads offers a varied but generally efficient driving experience. This isn't a winding country road adventure; it's about making good time on established routes.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 74.4 mi on US 62.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 62 and US 412. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 104.7 miles in near US 62; US 65; US 412.
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 199.7 miles you will encounter 16 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 104.7 miles (US 62; US 65; US 412): Navigation decision point; at 123.5 miles (US 412): Lane positioning matters here; at 182.3 miles (US 412): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Bentonville is a city of 51,000 people (2018) in the Northwest region of Arkansas. Widely known as the home to the corporate headquarters of retail giant Walmart, the city was noted by Travel + Leisure magazine as one of the "Hottest Travel Destinations of 2012".
Top landmarks
•Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art — art museum in Bentonville, Arkansas
•Bentonville Confederate Monument — monument in Bentonville, United States of America
•Benton County Courthouse — courthouse in Bentonville, Benton County, Arkansas
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 15m. Total distance: 199.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 74.4 miles on US 62. 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 104.7 miles (US 62; US 65; US 412): Navigation decision point; at 123.5 miles (US 412): Lane positioning matters here; at 182.3 miles (US 412): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Bentonville, AR, but most travelers stay overnight.
