New Caledonia, AR to Earle, AR is 249.8 miles and takes about 4h 50m via I 40 and US 167, with a fuel budget near $38 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, highway-focused journey that's easily manageable in a single day. You'll spend most of your time on major roads, making it a practical option for getting from point A to point B without much fuss.
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
124.9 miles from New Caledonia, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 33m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
100.5 mi
1h 40m
US 167
46.7 mi
55m
Lee Street
35.7 mi
43m
Sheridan Bypass
17.9 mi
20m
Junction City Highway
15 mi
16m
AR 149
9.9 mi
17m
Calion Highway
9.8 mi
12m
East Belt Freeway
9 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 100.5 mi, about 1h 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New Caledonia, AR and Earle, 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
10 mi·10 min·US 167
Toward I 530 North, US 65 North, US 167 North: Little Rock
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 440 East: Memphis, St Louis, Airport
12
Merge onto I 440
9.0 mi·10 min·East Belt Freeway
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 40: Memphis, Fort Smith
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 40 East: Memphis
15
Merge onto I 40
101 mi·1 hr 40 min·I 40
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward AR 149: Earle
17
Keep slight right at fork
129 ft·3 sec
18
Turn straight onto AR 149
9.9 mi·17 min·AR 149
19
Turn left onto AR 149
461 ft·9 sec·Arkansas Street
20
Continue on AR 149
0.3 mi·29 sec·Arkansas Avenue
21
Turn right onto AR 149
0.2 mi·24 sec·Cross Street
22
Continue on AR 149
0.1 mi·17 sec·Park Street
23
Turn left onto US 64B
0.4 mi·49 sec·2nd Street
24
Turn right onto AR 149
0.3 mi·38 sec·Barton Street
25
Turn right onto US 64
0.1 mi·10 sec·US 64
26
Arrive at destination
US 64
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 50m duration, starting in the morning allows ample time to reach Earle before evening. With only one recommended stop on this 249.8-mile journey, you can be flexible with your timing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without services could be up to 100.5 miles on I 40. Aim to fill up before this longer segment to ensure a smooth drive. The estimated fuel cost of $38 makes budgeting straightforward for this single-day trip.
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 124.9 miles from New Caledonia, AR, or about 2h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 100.5 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 55 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124.9 miles or 2h 33m 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 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Earle, 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 249.8 miles and 4h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 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 40 for about 100.5 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.8 and 136.7 — 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:...
5
127.2 mi into trip|~2h 35m in
Take the exit toward I 440 East: Memphis, St Louis, Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 440 East: Memphis, St Louis, Airport
6
136.7 mi into trip|~2h 47m in
Take the exit toward I 40: Memphis, Fort Smith
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 40: Memphis, Fort Smith
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.73 one way
$75.45 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg87 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$41.41
$82.83
premium
$4.56
$44.84
$89.67
diesel
$5.61
$55.15
$110.31
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74.9
0
$26.23
$11.99
Efficient EV
62.5
0
$21.86
$9.99
EV Truck/SUV
99.9
1
$34.97
$15.99
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 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 Apr 18, 2026
Origin
New Caledonia, AR
Night
in New Caledonia on Saturday
Local time
11:38 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 5 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 18 at 4:01AM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
Destination
Earle, AR
Night
in Earle on Saturday
Local time
11:38 PM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Mostly Cloudy
SSW 15 mph43% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 18 at 4:01AM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
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
1 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 50m 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?
This is primarily a highway drive, with 67% of the route utilizing major highways like I 40 and US 167. Expect substantial stretches on I 40, including one uninterrupted segment of 100.5 miles. The road character is focused on efficient travel, so you'll likely experience mostly high-speed driving on well-maintained roads. While it's a highway-centric route, you'll also navigate some local streets, including Lee Street, as you approach your destination.
67% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 100.5 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and US 167. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.8 miles in near US 63; US 167 / Junction City Highway.
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 17 significant decision points across 249.8 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 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.
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 Earle, AR, road signs point toward Little Rock, St Louis, Airport and Fort Smith.
Little Rock
17.1 mi in|~24m|via US 167
St Louis
127.2 mi in|~2h 35m
Airport
127.2 mi in|~2h 35m
Fort Smith
136.7 mi in|~2h 47m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 50m. Total distance: 249.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 100.5 miles on I 40. 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.
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 Earle, 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. 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Earle, AR, but most travelers stay overnight.
