Marcela’s Mexican Restaurant
Early in the drive, short detour
Fordyce, Arkansas
Hours: 11 AM–9 PM
+18703520454
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 23m
Distance
220.6 mi
355 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
Sparse
1 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
New Caledonia, AR
Dominik Ruhl
Bryant, AR
cottonbro studio
Traveling from New Caledonia to Bryant covers 220.6 miles and takes approximately 4 hours and 23 minutes behind the wheel. Because this journey stays within the Southeast region of Arkansas, you will experience a consistent landscape throughout your trip. With a total estimated fuel cost of $34, this route is budget-friendly and well-suited for a single-day excursion. You should plan on making at least one stop to break up the drive comfortably. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick getaway, the trip is manageable for most drivers to complete in one go without needing an overnight stay.
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
110.3 miles from New Caledonia, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 17m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 57 | 55 mi | 56m |
| US 167 | 51.3 mi | 1h 1m |
| Lee Street | 35.7 mi | 43m |
| US 64 | 31.2 mi | 41m |
| Sheridan Bypass | 17.9 mi | 20m |
| Junction City Highway | 15 mi | 16m |
| Calion Highway | 9.8 mi | 12m |
| Caledonia Road | 1.8 mi | 6m |
Step-by-step road directions between New Caledonia, AR and Bryant, 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
Continue on I 57; US 64; US 167
Take the exit onto US 64; US 167
Turn left onto US 64; US 167
Turn left onto AR 14; AR 25
Turn right onto Simpson Road
Arrive at destination
To make the most of your 4-hour and 23-minute drive, try to depart early in the morning to avoid peak traffic congestion on the more populated stretches of the highway. Since you have a planned stop, use that time to refuel and stretch your legs, keeping in mind your $34 fuel budget as a baseline for your expenses. Flexibility is your biggest advantage on a trip of this length, allowing you to adjust your pace if you encounter unexpected delays. Keep a close watch on your navigation as you transition from I-57 to US-167 and Lee Street, as these changes in road type require your full attention to stay on track.
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 49 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 110.3 miles or 2h 17m 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 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bryant, 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 220.6 miles and 4h 23m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
110 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 49 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 110.3 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.
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Best meal stop · early in the drive
Fordyce, Arkansas
Early in the drive, short detour
Hours: 11 AM–9 PM
+18703520454
Roundtable Restaurant at Depot 113 west 1st street Fordyce Arkansas 71742
Fordyce, Arkansas
Uncle Henry’s BBQ
Sheridan, Arkansas
Best coffee break · home stretch
Batesville, Arkansas
Near the end, short detour
Hours: 6 am–8 pm
+18707930997
Legends Cafe Fordyce
Fordyce, Arkansas
Lady Birds Cafe
Sheridan, Arkansas
Early in the drive, short detour
Fordyce, Arkansas
Hours: 11 AM–9 PM
+18703520454
Early in the drive, short detour
Fordyce, Arkansas
Hours: 6 AM–2 PM
+18703520355
Around the midpoint, short detour
Sheridan, Arkansas
Hours: 10 AM–3 PM
+18709423937
Around the midpoint, short detour
Sheridan, Arkansas
Hours: 10:30 am–8 pm
+18709422486
Early in the drive, short detour
Fordyce, Arkansas
Hours: 6 AM–9 PM
+18703527803
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Sheridan, Arkansas
Hours: 10:30 AM–8 PM
+18709172121
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Sheridan, Arkansas
Hours: 10:30 am–8 pm
+18709410559
Near the start, short detour
El Dorado, Arkansas
Hours: 10 am–2 pm
+18708634519
Near the end, short detour
Batesville, Arkansas
Hours: 6 am–8 pm
+18707930997
Early in the drive, short detour
Fordyce, Arkansas
+18703522041
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Sheridan, Arkansas
Hours: 10:30 AM–9 PM
+18709424163
Around the midpoint, short detour
Hensley, Arkansas
Hours: 6 AM–8 PM
+15018884444
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Little Rock, Arkansas
Hours: 8 AM–8 PM
+15014140423
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Little Rock, Arkansas
Hours: 6 AM–7 PM
+15018917220
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Little Rock, Arkansas
Hours: 6 AM–2 PM
+15017471456
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Hensley, Arkansas
Hours: 6 am–2 pm
+15018608689
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Batesville, Arkansas
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, right off the route
Fordyce, Arkansas
Hours: 3 AM–10 PM
+18703524000
Near the start, short detour
El Dorado, Arkansas
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+18708751722
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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
$33.91 one way
$67.81 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.32 | $37.50 | $75.00 |
| premium | $4.65 | $40.36 | $80.72 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $46.46 | $92.93 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 66.2 | 0 | $23.16 | $10.59 |
| Efficient EV | 55.2 | 0 | $19.30 | $8.82 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 88.2 | 1 | $30.88 | $14.12 |
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in New Caledonia on Wednesday
Local time
2:57 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Destination
Afternoon in Bryant on Wednesday
Local time
2:57 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
72°F
Orion, AR
110 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
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
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.
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 63% of your journey is spent on major thoroughfares. Your path primarily utilizes I-57, US-167, and Lee Street to bridge the distance between your origin and destination. You will encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 55 miles on I-57, which allows for steady, consistent progress. The transition between these road types keeps the drive from feeling overly monotonous, providing a balance between high-speed interstate travel and local highway navigation. You will find that the road surface and traffic patterns shift as you move from the open interstate sections onto the connecting local routes.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and US 167. You will hit about 11 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 220.6 miles you will encounter 11 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.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
684 ft
Total Descent
358 ft
Highest Point
665 ft
~204.9 mi in
Elevation Range
562 ft
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between New Caledonia, AR and Bryant, AR, road signs point toward Little Rock, Memphis, Saint Louis and Batesville.
Little Rock
Memphis
Saint Louis
Batesville
Bryant is a city of 21,000 people (2020) in Arkansas, just southwest of Little Rock.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 23m. Total distance: 220.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (63%). 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, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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