If you are planning a trip from New Caledonia to Clinton, expect to cover 197.6 miles over the course of about 4 hours and 4 minutes. This drive stays entirely within the Southeast region of Arkansas, making it a manageable day trip for most travelers. You will primarily navigate via Junction City Highway, Barnett Drive, and US 167 North. Budgeting approximately $27 for fuel should cover your needs for the journey. Because the total drive time is relatively short, you can comfortably complete the trip in a single day without needing an overnight stop.
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
98.8 miles from New Caledonia, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 167
51.3 mi
1h 1m
Lee Street
35.7 mi
43m
US 65
28.4 mi
30m
US Highway 65
21.9 mi
30m
Sheridan Bypass
17.9 mi
20m
Junction City Highway
15 mi
16m
South Broadview Street
11.8 mi
16m
Calion Highway
9.8 mi
12m
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 Clinton, 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
28 mi·29 min·US 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit onto US 65
0.4 mi·50 sec·US 65
Toward US 65 North, US 65B South
14
Merge onto US 65
1.3 mi·2 min·Skyline Drive
15
Continue on US 65
3.2 mi·4 min·US Highway 65
16
Continue on US 65
12 mi·16 min·South Broadview Street
17
Continue on US 65
1.5 mi·1 min·US Highway 65
18
Continue on US 65
0.7 mi·56 sec·North Broadview Street
19
Continue on US 65
1.1 mi·1 min·South Broadway
20
Continue on US 65; Hwy 124
17 mi·23 min·US Highway 65
21
Turn left onto US 65B
0.4 mi·46 sec·US 65B
22
Turn left onto Main Street
129 ft·3 sec·Main Street
23
Keep slight left at fork onto Yellowjacket Lane
0.1 mi·16 sec·Yellowjacket Lane
24
Arrive at destination
Yellowjacket Lane
Trip Plan
Since this is a 4-hour journey, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time, though leaving early in the day is always a smart way to maximize your time in Clinton. Plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs, especially since the technical nature of these local roads can be more fatiguing than highway driving. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the initial legs of the trip to ensure you don't run low before reaching your destination. Given the turn-heavy profile of the drive, prioritize comfort and alertness behind the wheel. Use the stop as a chance to reset before tackling the final segments of your 197.6-mile excursion.
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 98.8 miles from New Caledonia, AR, or about 2h 3m 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 43 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 98.8 miles or 2h 3m 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 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clinton, 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 197.6 miles and 4h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 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.
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 132.1 — 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 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.37 one way
$60.74 round trip
$3.90/gal25.4 MPG avg69 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.32
$33.59
$67.18
premium
$4.65
$36.15
$72.30
diesel
$5.35
$41.62
$83.24
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 69.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
59.3
0
$20.75
$9.48
Efficient EV
49.4
0
$17.29
$7.90
EV Truck/SUV
79
0
$27.66
$12.65
Gas CO2
69 kg
EV CO2
23 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 May 23, 2026
Origin
New Caledonia, AR
Afternoon
in New Caledonia on Wednesday
Local time
2:56 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
0 mph27% chanceLive forecast
Dense Fog Advisory
Dense Fog Advisory issued May 22 at 11:36PM CDT until May 23 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Tulsa OK
Dense Fog Advisory
Dense Fog Advisory issued May 22 at 10:30PM CDT until May 23 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Little Rock AR
Destination
Clinton, AR
Afternoon
in Clinton on Wednesday
Local time
2:56 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Chance Rain Showers
0 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Dense Fog Advisory
Dense Fog Advisory issued May 22 at 11:36PM CDT until May 23 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Tulsa OK
Dense Fog Advisory
Dense Fog Advisory issued May 22 at 10:30PM CDT until May 23 at 10:00AM 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
9 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
4h 4m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate cruise. With a 0% highway share, you won't find yourself logging long, monotonous miles on a major expressway. The route is characterized by constant adjustments, as there is essentially no long, uninterrupted stretch; even the section on Junction City Highway requires your full attention. Expect a hands-on driving experience where the road demands focus throughout the entire 197.6-mile trek. It is an ideal route if you prefer navigating local roads over the predictable rhythm of a multi-lane highway.
52% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
24 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?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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 Effort6/10
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 197.6 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
Gently rolling terrain
976 ft111 ft
Total Climb
1,072 ft
Total Descent
698 ft
Highest Point
976 ft
~189.4 mi in
Elevation Range
865 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 Clinton, AR, road signs point toward Little Rock and Fort Smith.
This 197.6-mile drive can be done in about 4 hours, making it a solid choice for a same-day weekend adventure. Just one planned break should be plenty.
Family Friendly
The 4-hour drive with moderate 6/10 complexity is doable for families, but remember to pack entertainment for the kids, especially since it's a one-day trip. Keep an eye out for the national parks nearby for potential stops.
Solo Traveler
With a comfortable 4-hour driving time and only a 6/10 complexity rating, this route is definitely manageable for a solo traveler. You'll find 2 EV DC fast chargers along the way if needed.
Scenic Drive
This route offers a nice mix of highway (52%) and local roads, perfect for a scenic drive. With national parks nearby and gently rolling terrain, it's a good option, though the fair coverage might require some offline map planning.
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.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza 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 Clinton, 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 1 rest area along the route for bathroom stops.
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 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Clinton, AR, but most travelers stay overnight.
