Origin
New Caledonia, AR
Late night in New Caledonia on Sunday
Local time
3:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
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
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
New Caledonia, AR
Dominik Ruhl
Austin, AR
Elsie Soto
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 .
| 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 |
Step-by-step road directions between New Caledonia, AR and Austin, AR.
Start on Caledonia Road
At end of road, turn right onto US 63; US 167
Continue on US 63; US 167; AR 7
Continue on US 63; US 167; AR 7
Take the exit onto US 167
Continue on US 167
Merge onto US 167
Turn left onto US 167
Continue on US 167
Keep slight left at fork onto US 167
Keep slight right at fork onto US 67; US 167
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57; US 167
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn straight onto AR 305
Turn right
Arrive at destination
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.
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.
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.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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.
A short stop after about 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
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.
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.
At end of road, turn right onto US 63; US 167 / Junction City Highway
Navigation decision point
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
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
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
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57; US 167 toward Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$23.54 one way
$47.09 round trip
| 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in New Caledonia on Sunday
Local time
3:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Austin on Sunday
Local time
3:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Memphis
Saint Louis
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.
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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