Traveling from Texarkana to Bella Vista covers 269.5 miles across Arkansas, typically taking about 5 hours and 24 minutes of drive time. Because this route is a straightforward highway-focused trip, you can easily complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $41 on fuel for the journey, depending on your vehicle's efficiency. You will be traveling entirely within the Southeast region, moving from the southern border of the state up toward the Ozarks. It is a practical drive that prioritizes efficiency over detours, making it ideal if you want to reach your destination in Bella Vista quickly.
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
134.7 miles from Texarkana, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 49m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 71
91.3 mi
1h 50m
I 49
71.3 mi
1h 14m
North Lakeside Drive
51.2 mi
59m
Main Street
24.3 mi
32m
North State Line Avenue
20.2 mi
27m
US 59
8 mi
11m
Cooper Road
1.1 mi
2m
East Lancashire Boulevard
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 71
— 91.3 mi, about 1h 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Texarkana, AR and Bella Vista, AR.
1
Start on East 20th Street
180 ft·9 sec·East 20th Street
2
Turn right onto County Avenue
0.3 mi·42 sec·County Avenue
3
Turn left onto East 24th Street
0.3 mi·33 sec·East 24th Street
4
At end of road, turn right onto US 71
20 mi·27 min·North State Line Avenue
5
Continue on US 59; US 71
24 mi·32 min·Main Street
6
Continue on US 59; US 70; US 71; US 371
8.0 mi·11 min·US 59; US 70; US 71; US 371
7
Turn right onto US 59; US 71
51 mi·59 min·North Lakeside Drive
8
Continue on US 71; US 270
70 mi·1 hr 23 min·US 71; US 270
9
Take the exit onto US 71
12 mi·14 min·US 71
Toward 540 North
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 71
4.6 mi·4 min·US 71
Toward I 40 East: Little Rock, MemphisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 49 North: FayettevilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 49
46 mi·47 min·I 49
Use the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 49; US 62; US 71
19 mi·20 min·I 49; US 62; US 71
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on I 49; US 71
5.7 mi·6 min·I 49; US 71
15
Take the exit onto US 71
0.3 mi·36 sec·US 71
Exit 91Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto US 71
4.6 mi·7 min·US 71
Use the right lane.
17
Turn slight right
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward Lancashire Boulevard
18
Turn left onto AR 340
0.5 mi·1 min·East Lancashire Boulevard
19
Turn right onto Cooper Road
1.1 mi·2 min·Cooper Road
20
Turn left onto Billingsley Drive
205 ft·11 sec·Billingsley Drive
21
Turn left onto Hartsfield Lane
305 ft·13 sec·Hartsfield Lane
22
Arrive at destination
Hartsfield Lane
Trip Plan
Planning for this 269.5-mile trip is simple since it only requires one planned stop to keep you refreshed. To maximize your daylight hours, aim for an early morning departure to avoid potential traffic fluctuations on the primary corridors. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge during that 91.3-mile stretch on US 71, as services may be more spaced out compared to the interstate sections. Since the total duration is under six hours, you have plenty of flexibility to adjust your pace or take a longer break if needed. Staying mindful of the transition from I-49 to local roads will ensure you arrive in Bella Vista without any unnecessary stress.
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 134.7 miles from Texarkana, AR, or about 2h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 91.3 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 59 miles or 1h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 134.7 miles or 2h 49m 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bella Vista, AR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Texarkana, 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 Texarkana, AR
This is one driving day of about 269.5 miles and 5h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Texarkana, 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 71 for about 91.3 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 186.1 and 263 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
186.1 mi into trip|~3h 50m in|US 71
Keep slight right at fork onto US 71 toward I 40 East: Little Rock, Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 40 East: Little Rock, Memphis
6
190.7 mi into trip|~3h 55m in
Take the exit toward I 49 North: Fayetteville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 49 North: Fayetteville
6
237.7 mi into trip|~4h 44m in|I 49; US 62; US 71
Keep slight left at fork onto I 49; US 62; US 71
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
262.7 mi into trip|~5h 11m in|US 71
Take the exit onto US 71
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 91
6
263 mi into trip|~5h 12m in|US 71
Keep slight right at fork onto US 71
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.70 one way
$81.40 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg94 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$44.68
$89.36
premium
$4.56
$48.37
$96.74
diesel
$5.61
$59.50
$119.00
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 94.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80.9
0
$28.30
$12.94
Efficient EV
67.4
0
$23.58
$10.78
EV Truck/SUV
107.8
1
$37.73
$17.25
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
32 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 14, 2026
Origin
Texarkana, AR
Morning
in Texarkana on Sunday
Local time
6:32 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 5 to 10 mph8% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Bella Vista, AR
Morning
in Bella Vista on Sunday
Local time
6:32 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
77°F
Booneville, AR
135 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
8 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 24m 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?
Expect a mix of road types as you navigate the 63% highway portion of your trip. You will spend your time transitioning between the high-speed flow of I-49 and the more traditional pace of US 71. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 91.3-mile segment on US 71, which requires steady focus. As you transition toward North Lakeside Drive near your destination, the road character shifts from major interstate arteries to local thoroughfares. The drive maintains a consistent pace, balancing the efficiency of modern highways with the necessity of navigating state-level infrastructure.
63% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 91.3 mi on US 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 71 and I 49. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 186.1 miles in near US 71.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 269.5 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 186.1 miles (US 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 190.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 237.7 miles (I 49; US 62; US 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Texarkana, AR to Bella Vista, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Memphis along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 24m. Total distance: 269.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 91.3 miles on US 71. 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 Bella Vista, 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 186.1 miles (US 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 190.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 237.7 miles (I 49; US 62; US 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Bella Vista, AR before the return drive.
