The drive from Bella Vista, AR to Arkadelphia, AR covers 259.8 miles and takes about 4h 47m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 71, I 40, South State Highway 7 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 71.9 miles on US 71.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $39.24 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
129.9 miles from Bella Vista, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 18m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 47m. Total distance: 259.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 4h 47m highway drive covering 259.8 miles, with most of the trip on US 71 and I 40. The longest continuous stretch is about 71.9 miles on US 71.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 33 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 71 is the longest continuous segment at about 71.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 71 and I 40. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 78.1 miles in.
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 24 significant decision points across 259.8 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 78.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 143.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 221.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 24 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
78.1 mi into trip|~1h 26m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 40 East: Alma, Little Rock
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 40 East: Alma, Little Rock
5
143.5 mi into trip|~2h 32m in
Take the exit toward US 64
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 78
Toward US 64
5
221.7 mi into trip|~4h 4m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
254.7 mi into trip|~4h 40m in
Take the exit toward AR 7: Caddo Valley, Arkadelphia, Hot Springs
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward AR 7: Caddo Valley, Arkadelphia, Hot Spr...
7
255 mi into trip|~4h 40m in
Keep slight left at fork toward AR 7: Caddo Valley, Arkadelphia, Hot Springs
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward AR 7: Caddo Valley, Arkadelphia, Hot Spr...
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 Bella Vista, AR to Arkadelphia, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Little Rock along the way.
Little Rock
78.1 mi in|~1h 26m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 71
71.9 mi
1h 15m
I 40
64.9 mi
1h 4m
South State Highway 7
44.8 mi
50m
I 30
19.9 mi
19m
AR 7 South
14.4 mi
16m
Malvern Road
12.2 mi
13m
Hot Springs Bypass
6.1 mi
6m
South Arkansas Avenue
4.9 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
US 71
— 71.9 mi, about 1h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bella Vista, AR and Arkadelphia, AR.
1
Start on Hartsfield Lane
305 ft·14 sec·Hartsfield Lane
2
Turn right onto Billingsley Drive
205 ft·12 sec·Billingsley Drive
3
Turn right onto Cooper Road
1.1 mi·2 min·Cooper Road
4
At end of road, turn left onto AR 340
0.4 mi·52 sec·West Lancashire Boulevard
5
Turn right onto On Ramp Bella Vista Way
0.2 mi·19 sec·On Ramp Bella Vista Way
6
Turn straight onto US 71
4.3 mi·6 min·Bella Vista Way
7
Take the ramp onto US 71
72 mi·1 hr 15 min·US 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·49 sec
Toward I 40 East: Alma, Little Rock
9
Merge onto I 40; US 71
65 mi·1 hr 4 min·I 40; US 71
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Exit 78Toward US 64
11
Turn left onto US 64
1.6 mi·2 min·US 64
12
Continue on US 64; Hwy 326
3.1 mi·4 min·West Main Street
13
Turn right onto AR 7
4.9 mi·5 min·South Arkansas Avenue
14
At end of road, turn left onto AR 7
0.2 mi·29 sec·North State Highway 7
15
Continue on AR 7
14 mi·16 min·AR 7 South
16
Continue on AR 7; AR 10
0.3 mi·24 sec·South Scenic 7 Drive
17
Turn right onto AR 7
0.2 mi·17 sec·AR 7
18
Turn left onto AR 7
45 mi·50 min·South State Highway 7
19
Enter roundabout onto Hot Springs Bypass
222 ft·2 sec·Hot Springs Bypass
20
Continue on Hot Springs Bypass
6.0 mi·6 min·Hot Springs Bypass
21
Merge onto US 70
1.9 mi·2 min·Doctor Martin Luther King, Junior Expressway
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
23
Keep slight left at fork
81 ft·8 sec
24
Turn left onto US 270
0.6 mi·46 sec·Malvern Avenue
25
Continue on US 270
12 mi·13 min·Malvern Road
26
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
27
Merge onto I 30
20 mi·19 min·I 30
28
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward AR 7: Caddo Valley, Arkadelphia, Hot Springs
29
Keep slight left at fork
135 ft·7 sec
Toward AR 7: Caddo Valley, Arkadelphia, Hot Springs
30
Turn left onto AR 7
0.9 mi·1 min·Valley Street
31
Continue on US 67; AR 7
3.8 mi·5 min·North 10th Street
32
Turn left onto US 67; AR 7; AR 8; AR 51
0.2 mi·17 sec·Caddo Street
33
Arrive at destination
US 67; AR 7; AR 8; AR 51
Trip Plan
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 129.9 miles from Bella Vista, AR, or about 2h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 71.9 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 57 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 129.9 miles or 2h 18m 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 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Arkadelphia, AR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Bella Vista, 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 Bella Vista, AR
This is one driving day of about 259.8 miles and 4h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Bella Vista, 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 71.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 129.9 mi from Bella Vista, AR
· 2h 18m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Hot Springs National Park
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.24 one way
$78.47 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg91 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$43.07
$86.14
premium
$4.56
$46.63
$93.26
diesel
$5.61
$57.36
$114.72
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 90.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
77.9
0
$27.28
$12.47
Efficient EV
65
0
$22.73
$10.39
EV Truck/SUV
103.9
1
$36.37
$16.63
Gas CO2
91 kg
EV CO2
30 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 15, 2026
Origin
Bella Vista, AR
Night
in Bella Vista on Friday
Local time
9:59 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Arkadelphia, AR
Night
in Arkadelphia on Friday
Local time
9:59 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 47m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Bella Vista, AR to Arkadelphia, AR covers 259.8 miles and takes about 4h 47m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 71, I 40, South State Highway 7. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 129.9 miles from Bella Vista, AR. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $39.24 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 259.8 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 78.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 143.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 221.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
On the drive from Bella Vista, AR to Arkadelphia, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Little Rock along the way.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh 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.
