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Trip from New Caledonia, AR to Bono, AR

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h

Distance

255.9 mi

412 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$39

one way

EV Charging

Fair

2 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 47m ★
6 AM
5h 0m
8 AM
5h 27m
10 AM
5h 10m
12 PM
5h 7m
3 PM
5h 11m
5 PM
5h 26m
8 PM
4h 52m

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

city in Craighead County, Arkansas, United States

Bono, AR

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Traveling from New Caledonia to Bono covers 255.9 miles across the state of Arkansas. You should plan for a total drive time of 5 hours, making this a very manageable single-day trip. With a fuel budget of approximately $35, it remains an affordable trek through the Southeast region. Because the journey is relatively straightforward, there is no need to split this into an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via Junction City Highway, Barnett Drive, and US 167 North to reach your destination. It is a practical, direct route that keeps you within the same state while moving you across the regional landscape.

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

128 miles from New Caledonia, AR

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 37m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 57 110.1 mi 1h 54m
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
AR 230 10.9 mi 19m
Calion Highway 9.8 mi 12m
Caledonia Road 1.8 mi 6m
Longest stretch: I 57 — 110.1 mi, about 1h 54m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

28 mi · 29 min · I 57; US 167
Toward Saint Louis Use the slight left lane.
13

Continue on I 57; US 64; US 167

82 mi · 1 hr 24 min · I 57; US 64; US 167
14

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 48 sec
15

Turn right onto AR 230

3.0 mi · 5 min · AR 230
16

Turn left onto AR 91; AR 230

1.0 mi · 1 min · AR 91; AR 230
17

Turn right onto AR 230

7.9 mi · 13 min · AR 230
18

Turn right onto US 63B

164 ft · 3 sec · US 63B
19

Arrive at destination

US 63B

Trip Plan

Since this is a five-hour trip, aim to depart early in the morning to avoid midday congestion on local roads. You should build in at least one planned stop to stretch your legs and manage the turn-heavy nature of the drive. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $35 estimate assumes consistent driving conditions; unexpected detours could impact your costs. Because you are navigating local infrastructure, stay alert for changing speed limits and intersections along Junction City Highway and Barnett Drive. Flexibility is your greatest advantage here, so adjust your pace to account for the technical segments that characterize this specific route.

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 128 miles from New Caledonia, AR, or about 2h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 110.1 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 56 miles or 1h 11m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 128 miles or 2h 37m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 3m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bono, 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 255.9 miles and 5h.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 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 I 57 for about 110.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Orion, AR, AR

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Orion, AR

128 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

Calion, AR

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 56 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Little Rock, AR

Meal break

The midpoint is around 128 miles from New Caledonia, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 57 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 110.1 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 · around the midpoint

Rex's Restaurant & Bar

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Little Rock, Arkansas

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset · 2h 30m in / 2h 30m to go 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 4–9 PM

+15012954457

Visit website

Allsopp & Chapple Restaurant + Bar

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Little Rock, Arkansas

2 mi

Capitol Bistro

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Little Rock, Arkansas

2.2 mi

Best coffee break · around the midpoint

The Root Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Little Rock, Arkansas

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset · 2h 30m in / 2h 30m to go 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 8 AM–8 PM

+15014140423

Visit website

SnowBrew Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Jonesboro, Arkansas

1 mi

Rosie's | Pot & Kettle Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Little Rock, Arkansas

1.9 mi

Rex's Restaurant & Bar

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Little Rock, Arkansas

Hours: 4–9 PM

+15012954457

Visit website

Allsopp & Chapple Restaurant + Bar

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Little Rock, Arkansas

Hours: 4–9 PM

+15019024911

Visit website

Capitol Bistro

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10

Little Rock, Arkansas

Hours: 7:30 AM–1:30 PM

+15013719575

Visit website

Hunan Restaurant

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Newport, Arkansas

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18705234600

Town House Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

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

El Dorado, Arkansas

Hours: 10 am–2 pm

+18708634519

Granny's Grill & Family Diner

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~10 min detour

First break 4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20

Hampton, Arkansas

Hours: 6 AM–10 PM

+18707984824

Letty’s Mexican Cuisine LLC

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

First break 3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20

El Dorado, Arkansas

Hours: 11 AM–8 PM

+18705466008

Bulldog Drive-In

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~11 min detour

First break 4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20

Hampton, Arkansas

Hours: 10:30 AM–8 PM

+18707984525

The Root Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Little Rock, Arkansas

Hours: 8 AM–8 PM

+15014140423

Visit website

SnowBrew Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

Jonesboro, Arkansas

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+18707592233

Visit website

Rosie's | Pot & Kettle Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Little Rock, Arkansas

Hours: 6 AM–2 PM

+15017471456

Visit website

Buenos Aires Grill & Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30

Little Rock, Arkansas

Hours: 11 AM–9 PM

+15019042133

Visit website

Reno's Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

North Little Rock, Arkansas

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+15013762900

Visit website

East End Cafe II

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

Hensley, Arkansas

Hours: 6 AM–8 PM

+15018884444

Visit website

Mike's Café

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

Halfway reset 3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20

Little Rock, Arkansas

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15015621515

Visit website

Cafe Bossa Nova

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

Halfway reset 4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $20 to $30

Little Rock, Arkansas

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+15015046360

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.2 mi from route

Newport, Arkansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour

Newport, Arkansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Visit website

Laredo Grill Restaurant

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~10 min detour

First break 3.9 mi from route ~10 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 12

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

$39.33 one way

$78.66 round trip

$3.90/gal 25.4 MPG avg 90 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.32 $43.50 $87.01
premium $4.65 $46.82 $93.64
diesel $5.35 $53.90 $107.80

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$39

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$64–$89

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 89.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.

Driving Electric?

About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 76.8 0 $26.87 $12.28
Efficient EV 64 0 $22.39 $10.24
EV Truck/SUV 102.4 1 $35.83 $16.38

Gas CO2

90 kg

EV CO2

30 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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

2:09 PM

CDT

Current temp

74°F

Mostly Clear

0 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued May 31 at 7:45PM CDT until June 6 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Little Rock AR

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued May 31 at 7:44PM CDT until June 2 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Little Rock AR

Destination

Bono, AR

Afternoon in Bono on Wednesday

Local time

2:09 PM

CDT

Current temp

71°F

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

S 5 mph 27% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued May 31 at 7:45PM CDT until June 6 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Little Rock AR

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued May 31 at 7:44PM CDT until June 2 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Little Rock AR

72°F

Orion, AR

128 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

3 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

5h 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route features a 0% highway share, meaning you will navigate surface roads for the entirety of the 255.9-mile journey. The path requires constant adjustments as you transition between local roads and the primary highway stretches. This technical nature makes the five-hour duration feel active rather than passive. You will find that the road's personality is defined by its winding local segments, which offer a very different experience than standard high-speed travel.

68% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 110.1 mi on I 57.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and US 167. You will hit about 12 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 255.9 miles you will encounter 12 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.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

309 ft 142 ft

Total Climb

263 ft

Total Descent

186 ft

Highest Point

309 ft

~182.8 mi in

Elevation Range

167 ft

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 Bono, 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

About the Cities

Arriving in Bono, AR

Full guide →

Founded 1916

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

This 255.9-mile drive is totally doable as a same-day trip, clocking in around 5 hours without stops. You'll spend about 68% of your time on the highway, making for efficient travel.

Family Friendly

This 255.9-mile trip is manageable for families, but the 5/10 complexity suggests you'll want to plan some entertainment for the 5-hour drive, especially with kids.

Solo Traveler

With a 5-hour drive and 68% highway, this route is a comfortable solo journey. The 11 EV DC fast chargers mean you won't have to worry much about range.

First-Time Driver

This route is great for first-time drivers, with 68% of the 255.9 miles being highway and a straightforward complexity rating of 5/10.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 110.1 miles on I 57. 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.

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 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.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.0 hours each way, a round trip means 10.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Bono, AR before the return drive.

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, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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