Spanning 353.2 miles across Arkansas, this journey takes you from New Caledonia to Bella Vista in approximately 5 hours and 38 minutes. Because the drive is manageable within a single day, you likely won't need an overnight stay unless you prefer a leisurely pace. Budgeting around $48 for fuel is a smart way to prepare for the trip. You will primarily navigate via Junction City Highway, Barnett Drive, and US 167 North. Since both locations are situated within the Southeast region, you can expect a consistent cultural and geographic backdrop throughout your travel.
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
175.6 miles from New Caledonia, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 26m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 65
141 mi
2h 22m
I 49
71.3 mi
1h 14m
US 167
51.3 mi
1h 1m
Lee Street
35.7 mi
43m
Sheridan Bypass
17.9 mi
20m
Junction City Highway
15 mi
16m
Calion Highway
9.8 mi
12m
US 71
4.8 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
US 65
— 141 mi, about 2h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New Caledonia, AR and Bella Vista, 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 left at fork onto US 65
0.3 mi·35 sec·US 65
Exit 143AToward I 40 West, US 65 North, AR 107 North: Conway, Fort Smith
12
Keep slight left at fork onto US 65
141 mi·2 hr 22 min·US 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi·48 sec
Toward I 49 North: Fayetteville
14
Continue on I 49
46 mi·47 min·I 49
Use the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 49; US 62; US 71
19 mi·20 min·I 49; US 62; US 71
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on I 49; US 71
5.7 mi·6 min·I 49; US 71
17
Take the exit onto US 71
0.3 mi·36 sec·US 71
Exit 91Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto US 71
4.6 mi·7 min·US 71
Use the right lane.
19
Turn slight right
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward Lancashire Boulevard
20
Turn left onto AR 340
0.5 mi·1 min·East Lancashire Boulevard
21
Turn right onto Cooper Road
1.1 mi·2 min·Cooper Road
22
Turn left onto Billingsley Drive
205 ft·11 sec·Billingsley Drive
23
Turn left onto Hartsfield Lane
305 ft·13 sec·Hartsfield Lane
24
Arrive at destination
Hartsfield Lane
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 5-hour and 38-minute trip, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the drive. Given the turn-heavy nature of the route, starting your day early helps ensure you are navigating the local roads while visibility is at its best. Keep your $48 fuel budget in mind when planning your refueling intervals, as local roads may offer different gas station availability compared to major interstates. Since you have the flexibility of a single-day trip, focus on maintaining a steady pace rather than rushing through the turns. Always double-check your GPS before departing, as the reliance on local highways like Barnett Drive requires precise navigation.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 175.6 miles from New Caledonia, AR, or about 3h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 141 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 77 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 175.6 miles or 3h 26m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bella Vista, 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 351.3 miles and 6h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 77 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 65 for about 141 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 117.2 and 344.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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 65
Keep slight left at fork onto US 65 toward I 40 West, US 65 North, AR 107 North: Conway, Fort Smith
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 143A
Toward I 40 West, US 65 North, AR 107 North: Co...
6
132.1 mi into trip|~2h 42m in|US 65
Keep slight left at fork onto US 65
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
319.6 mi into trip|~5h 52m in|I 49; US 62; US 71
Keep slight left at fork onto I 49; US 62; US 71
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
344.5 mi into trip|~6h 19m in|US 71
Take the exit onto US 71
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 91
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$54.00 one way
$107.99 round trip
$3.90/gal25.4 MPG avg123 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.32
$59.72
$119.44
premium
$4.65
$64.27
$128.54
diesel
$5.35
$73.99
$147.99
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$54
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 122.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
105.4
1
$36.89
$16.86
Efficient EV
87.8
1
$30.74
$14.05
EV Truck/SUV
140.5
1
$49.18
$22.48
Gas CO2
123 kg
EV CO2
41 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
New Caledonia, AR
Afternoon
in New Caledonia on Wednesday
Local time
2:10 PM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Sunny
0 mph11% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued June 1 at 5:07PM CDT until June 1 at 5:45PM CDT by NWS Little Rock AR
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued June 1 at 4:53PM CDT by NWS Little Rock AR
Destination
Bella Vista, AR
Afternoon
in Bella Vista on Wednesday
Local time
2:10 PM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
N 5 mph15% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued June 1 at 5:07PM CDT until June 1 at 5:45PM CDT by NWS Little Rock AR
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued June 1 at 4:53PM CDT by NWS Little Rock AR
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
6h 32m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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 turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route features a 0% highway share. You will navigate a series of local roads that require your full attention and frequent adjustments behind the wheel. The journey lacks long, uninterrupted stretches, keeping the pace consistent but demanding. Because the path relies on local connectors, the character of the road changes frequently as you transition between segments. It is a hands-on driving experience that prioritizes local navigation over high-speed transit.
76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 141 mi on US 65.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 65 and I 49. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 117.2 miles in near US 167.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 351.3 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 117.2 miles (US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 131.9 miles (US 65): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 132.1 miles (US 65): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,552 ft102 ft
Total Climb
1,522 ft
Total Descent
499 ft
Highest Point
1,552 ft
~301.1 mi in
Elevation Range
1,450 ft
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 New Caledonia, AR to Bella Vista, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Fort Smith along the way.
Clocking in at 6 hours and 32 minutes of driving, this route is a full-day commitment, making it feasible for a weekend escape but consider an early start to maximize your time.
Family Friendly
With a complexity rating of 7/10 and 76% highway driving, this route might be a bit much for families with young kids; plan for at least one break and pack plenty of entertainment for the 6.5-hour journey.
Solo Traveler
This 351.3-mile drive is manageable for a solo traveler, with a 7/10 complexity rating suggesting you'll have enough engaging highway driving to keep things interesting without being overwhelming.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 141 miles on US 65. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 16 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Bella Vista, 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. There are 16 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 117.2 miles (US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 131.9 miles (US 65): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 132.1 miles (US 65): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.5 hours each way, a round trip means 13.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Bella Vista, AR before the return drive.
