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Trip from New Caledonia, AR to Austin, AR

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 8m

Distance

155.9 mi

251 km

Drive Score

9/10

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 57m ★
6 AM
3h 9m
8 AM
3h 32m
10 AM
3h 17m
12 PM
3h 15m
3 PM
3h 18m
5 PM
3h 31m
8 PM
3h 2m

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

Downtown New Caledonia, AR, AR

New Caledonia, AR

Dominik Ruhl

Downtown Austin, AR, AR

Austin, AR

Elsie Soto

Trip Overview

New Caledonia, AR to Austin, AR is 155.9 miles and takes about 3h 8m via US 167, with a fuel budget near $24 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Arkansas, traversing the Southeast region from start to finish. It's a straightforward, single-day journey that offers a mixed driving experience. Given the relatively short duration and manageable distance, this route is ideal for a quick trip, allowing plenty of flexibility for your schedule.

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 New Caledonia, AR

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 38m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 167 51.3 mi 1h 1m
Lee Street 35.7 mi 43m
I 57 21.6 mi 22m
Sheridan Bypass 17.9 mi 20m
Junction City Highway 15 mi 16m
Calion Highway 9.8 mi 12m
Caledonia Road 1.8 mi 6m
US 67 1.6 mi 2m
Longest stretch: US 167 — 51.3 mi, about 1h 1m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Caledonia Road

1.8 mi · 6 min · Caledonia Road
2

At end of road, turn right onto US 63; US 167

9.0 mi · 10 min · Junction City Highway
3

Continue on US 63; US 167; AR 7

0.3 mi · 18 sec · Barnett Drive
4

Continue on US 63; US 167; AR 7

6.1 mi · 6 min · Junction City Highway
5

Take the exit onto US 167

0.4 mi · 40 sec · US 167
Toward US 167 North, US 167B South: Fordyce, Little Rock
6

Continue on US 167

9.8 mi · 12 min · Calion Highway
7

Merge onto US 167

36 mi · 43 min · Lee Street
8

Turn left onto US 167

36 mi · 44 min · US 167
9

Continue on US 167

18 mi · 20 min · Sheridan Bypass
10

Keep slight left at fork onto US 167

15 mi · 16 min · US 167
Toward I 530 North, US 65 North, US 167 North: Little Rock
11

Keep slight right at fork onto US 67; US 167

1.6 mi · 2 min · US 67; US 167
Exit 143B Toward I 40 East, US 67 North, US 167 North: Jacksonville, Memphis
12

Keep slight left at fork onto I 57; US 167

22 mi · 22 min · I 57; US 167
Toward Saint Louis Use the slight left lane.
13

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 38 sec
Toward AR 305: Austin
14

Keep slight right at fork

201 ft · 5 sec
15

Turn straight onto AR 305

0.4 mi · 50 sec · AR 305
16

Turn right

95 ft · 7 sec
17

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

With a duration of just over 3 hours and a fuel cost around $24, this is a perfect route for a single-day excursion. You can comfortably complete this trip in one go, leaving plenty of time for spontaneity. Consider departing mid-morning to avoid potential rush hour traffic and to have a full day ahead. The route includes one designated stop, but with its short length, you might find you only need one quick fuel or rest break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 51.3-mile stretch on US 167, 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 77.9 miles from New Caledonia, AR, or about 1h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 51.3 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 45m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 77.9 miles or 1h 38m 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 37m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Austin, AR than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving New Caledonia, 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 New Caledonia, AR

This is one driving day of about 155.9 miles and 3h 8m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from New Caledonia, 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 51.3 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Newport, AR

Fuel and coffee

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

Walnut Ridge, AR

Meal break

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

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 10

5 decision points cluster between mile 1.8 and 133.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
1.8 mi into trip | ~6m in | US 63; US 167 / Junction City Highway

At end of road, turn right onto US 63; US 167 / Junction City Highway

Navigation decision point

5
17.1 mi into trip | ~24m in | US 167

Take the exit onto US 167 toward US 167 North, US 167B South: Fordyce, Little Rock

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

Toward US 167 North, US 167B South: Fordyce, Li...
6
117.2 mi into trip | ~2h 25m in | US 167

Keep slight left at fork onto US 167 toward I 530 North, US 65 North, US 167 North: Little Rock

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

Toward I 530 North, US 65 North, US 167 North:...
7
131.9 mi into trip | ~2h 41m in | US 67; US 167

Keep slight right at fork onto US 67; US 167 toward I 40 East, US 67 North, US 167 North: Jacksonville, Memphis

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

Exit 143B Toward I 40 East, US 67 North, US 167 North: Ja...
7
133.5 mi into trip | ~2h 44m in | I 57; US 167

Keep slight left at fork onto I 57; US 167 toward Saint Louis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward Saint Louis

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 15, 2026

Origin

New Caledonia, AR

Late night in New Caledonia on Sunday

Local time

3:01 AM

CDT

Current temp

76°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Austin, AR

Late night in Austin on Sunday

Local time

3:01 AM

CDT

Current temp

77°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

75°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

1 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 8m 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 features a 48% highway share, meaning you'll experience a blend of faster-paced travel and more local road cruising. You'll encounter stretches on US 167 and I 57, offering varied driving conditions. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 51.3 miles on US 167, so be prepared for a sustained period on this particular road. Overall, expect a mixed drive that balances efficiency with local character, rather than a purely interstate grind.

48% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 51.3 mi on US 167.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.8 miles in near US 63; US 167 / Junction City Highway.

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 155.9 miles you will encounter 10 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 1.8 miles (US 63; US 167 / Junction City Highway): Navigation decision point; at 17.1 miles (US 167): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 117.2 miles (US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 New Caledonia, AR and Austin, AR, road signs point toward Little Rock, Memphis and Saint Louis.

Little Rock

17.1 mi in | ~24m | via US 167

Memphis

131.9 mi in | ~2h 41m | via US 67; US 167

Saint Louis

133.5 mi in | ~2h 44m | via I 57; US 167

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 8m. Total distance: 155.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (48%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 51.3 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.

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 1.8 miles (US 63; US 167 / Junction City Highway): Navigation decision point; at 17.1 miles (US 167): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 117.2 miles (US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 3.1 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 Austin, 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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