Origin
Van Buren, AR
Late night in Van Buren on Tuesday
Local time
3:05 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Van Buren, AR to Springdale, AR
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 10m
Distance
61.5 mi
99 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 5m
★
6 AM
1h 11m
8 AM
1h 22m
10 AM
1h 15m
12 PM
1h 14m
3 PM
1h 15m
5 PM
1h 22m
8 PM
1h 7m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Van Buren, AR
Tomás Asurmendi
Springdale, AR
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel between Van Buren and Springdale, Arkansas, expect a straightforward 61.5-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes to complete. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to easily complete the drive in one go without needing an overnight stay. With a modest fuel budget of approximately $9, it is an economical connection between these two cities in the Southeast region. The path relies heavily on major thoroughfares, making it a practical choice for those who prioritize efficiency over a winding backroad experience. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a quick visit, this drive offers a reliable and consistent travel experience across the Arkansas landscape.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 49 | 46.4 mi | 47m |
| US 71 | 4.6 mi | 4m |
| South Thompson Street | 3.3 mi | 5m |
| Fulbright Expressway | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| North College Avenue | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| Alma Highway | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| East Main Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| West Johnson Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 49
— 46.4 mi, about 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Van Buren, AR and Springdale, AR.
1
Start on AR 59
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Main Street
2
Continue on US 64; US 71B
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Alma Highway
3
Continue on US 64; US 71B
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
·
Alma Highway
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward I 540 North: Oklahoma City, Little Rock
5
Merge onto I 540; US 71
0.4 mi
·
26 sec
·
I 540; US 71
6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 71
4.6 mi
·
4 min
·
US 71
Toward I 40 East: Little Rock, Memphis
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 49 North: Fayetteville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 49
46 mi
·
47 min
·
I 49
Use the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 71B
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Fulbright Expressway
Exit 67B
Toward US 71B: Fayetteville Business District
Use the slight right lane.
10
Continue on US 71B
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
North College Avenue
11
Continue on US 71B
3.3 mi
·
5 min
·
South Thompson Street
12
Turn right onto West Johnson Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
West Johnson Avenue
13
At end of road, turn left onto North Commercial Street
119 ft
·
5 sec
·
North Commercial Street
14
Arrive at destination
North Commercial Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
31 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 14 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 30.8 miles from Van Buren, 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 75 decision points cluster between mile 1.9 and 61.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.9 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the ramp toward I 540 North: Oklahoma City, Little Rock
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 540 North: Oklahoma City, Little Rock
8
2.5 mi into trip
|
~3m 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
7.1 mi into trip
|
~8m 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
8
54.1 mi into trip
|
~57m in
|
US 71B / Fulbright Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 71B / Fulbright Expressway toward US 71B: Fayetteville Business District
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 67B
Toward US 71B: Fayetteville Business District
4
61.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 10m in
|
North Commercial Street
At end of road, turn left onto North Commercial Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$9.29 one way
$18.58 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
22 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $10.20 | $20.39 |
| premium | $4.56 | $11.04 | $22.08 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $13.58 | $27.16 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$9
Estimated CO2 emission: 21.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 18.5 | 0 | $6.46 | $2.95 |
| Efficient EV | 15.4 | 0 | $5.38 | $2.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 24.6 | 0 | $8.61 | $3.94 |
Gas CO2
22 kg
EV CO2
7 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Springdale, AR
Late night in Springdale on Tuesday
Local time
3:05 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
72°F
Greenland, AR
31 mi in
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
25 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
1h 10m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 87% of your time spent on high-speed roads. You will spend the bulk of your journey on I-49, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 46.4 miles. The transition from the interstate onto US-71 and South Thompson Street marks the shift from open highway cruising to navigating the local approach into Springdale. Because the route is dominated by interstate travel, you can expect a steady pace rather than the technical maneuvering required on smaller, secondary roads. It is a functional, no-nonsense drive designed to get you to your destination with minimal fuss.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 46.4 mi on I 49.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 49 and US 71. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1.9 miles in.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 1h 10m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.9 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.5 miles (US 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Arriving in Springdale, AR
Full guide →Founded 1838
Springdale is in the Ozarks region of Northwest Arkansas.
Top landmarks
- • Shiloh Museum of Ozark History — history museum in Springdale, Arkansas
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 10m. Total distance: 61.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 46.4 miles on I 49. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.9 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.5 miles (US 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Springdale, AR before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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