Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 32m
Distance
104.7 mi
169 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Newport, AR
Wikimedia Commons
Benton, AR
Wikimedia Commons
Newport to Benton is 104.7 miles and takes about 2h 32m via US 167, with a fuel budget near $16 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Arkansas, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. Expect a mixed drive experience that balances highway speeds with more local road transitions. With only one recommended stop and a drive time under three hours, this is a straightforward, single-day journey. It's a practical option for a quick trip between these two Arkansas communities without extensive planning.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
52.4 miles from Newport, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 21m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Street | 30.5 mi | 35m |
| US 167 | 29.5 mi | 33m |
| AR 35 | 19.4 mi | 31m |
| Ouachita Road 67 | 10.5 mi | 25m |
| Sheridan Bypass | 6.4 mi | 8m |
| Dr Martin Luther King Expressway | 2.1 mi | 2m |
| Ouachita Road 68 | 1.3 mi | 5m |
| Branyan-Hunnicutt Bypass | 1.3 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Newport, AR and Benton, AR.
Start on Ouachita Road 509
Turn right onto Ouachita Road 68
Turn straight onto Ouachita Road 67
Continue on Fairview Road Southeast
Turn right onto AR 7
Continue on AR 7
Take the exit
Continue on US 79; US 278
Continue on US 79; US 278
Turn left onto US 167
Turn straight onto US 167
Turn left onto AR 35
Turn left onto AR 35
At end of road, turn right onto AR 35
Turn left onto East Ashley Street
Continue on South Main Street
Arrive at destination
Given the relatively short 2h 32m duration, you have plenty of flexibility for when to depart. Leaving in the morning allows you to complete the 104.7-mile trip with ample daylight. There's only one recommended stop, so you can easily manage your breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is around $16, and plan your refueling accordingly, especially before hitting longer stretches. A practical tip for this route is to be aware of the transitions between US 167 and AR 35, as these can sometimes involve more complex intersections or changes in road character.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
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 23 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52.4 miles or 1h 21m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Benton, AR than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Newport, 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 Newport, AR
This is one driving day of about 104.7 miles and 2h 32m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
52 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 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 52.4 miles from Newport, 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.
5 decision points cluster between mile 1 and 104.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right onto Ouachita Road 68
Navigation decision point
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Turn left onto AR 35
Lane positioning matters here
At end of road, turn right onto AR 35 / South East Street
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto East Ashley Street
Navigation decision point
Regular Gas
$15.81 one way
$31.62 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $17.36 | $34.72 |
| premium | $4.56 | $18.79 | $37.58 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $23.12 | $46.23 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 31.4 | 0 | $10.99 | $5.03 |
| Efficient EV | 26.2 | 0 | $9.16 | $4.19 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 41.9 | 0 | $14.66 | $6.70 |
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (68% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Newport on Saturday
Local time
11:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
88°F
Sunny
Destination
Night in Benton on Saturday
Local time
11:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
74°F
Sheridan, AR
52 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
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
National Park
Hot Springs National Park has a rich cultural past. The grand architecture of our historic bathhouses is equally matched by the natural curiosities that have been drawing people here for hundreds of y...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
This 104.7-mile drive features a highway share of 49%, indicating a blend of faster-paced travel and more local road sections. You'll encounter about 30.5 miles on Washington Street as the longest uninterrupted stretch, suggesting a significant portion of the journey will involve navigating through towns or more developed areas. The 'Mixed drive' profile means you'll transition between different types of roads, so be prepared for varying speed limits and traffic conditions. It’s not a constant interstate cruise, but rather a route that connects communities more directly.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in near Ouachita Road 68.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Newport, AR to Benton, AR is easy. At 2h 32m with 49% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles (Ouachita Road 68): Navigation decision point; at 15.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 83.7 miles (AR 35): Lane positioning matters here.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 32m. Total distance: 104.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (49%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
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 NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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