Origin
Benton, AR
Afternoon in Benton on Sunday
Local time
3:25 PM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Benton, AR to Bella Vista, AR
Drive Time
4h 13m
Distance
239.7 mi
386 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 0m
★
6 AM
4h 14m
8 AM
4h 40m
10 AM
4h 23m
12 PM
4h 20m
3 PM
4h 24m
5 PM
4h 39m
8 PM
4h 6m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Benton, AR
Tima Miroshnichenko
Bella Vista, AR
Israyosoy S.
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel from Benton to Bella Vista, prepare for a 239.7-mile journey that typically takes about 3 hours and 33 minutes to complete. This trip is well-suited for a one-day excursion, meaning you can easily make the trek without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $37 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. Navigating through the Southeast corner of Arkansas, the route relies on local roads rather than major interstates, providing a direct transition between these two communities. It is a straightforward drive that offers enough time to reach your destination while still leaving you plenty of daylight for your plans.
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
119.9 miles from Benton, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 4m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise on this route. You will spend your time navigating through Military Road and East Carpenter Street, focusing on steady, localized travel rather than high-speed highway stretches. With a highway share of 0%, the character of this trip is defined by its winding nature and the need for constant driver engagement. Because you are avoiding the main interstate systems, the road requires more attention to turns and transitions. This makes for a more interactive experience behind the wheel, keeping you focused on the road ahead for the duration of the 239.7-mile trip.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 40 is the longest continuous segment at about 134.7 miles.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,620 ft
268 ft
Total Climb
1,573 ft
Total Descent
775 ft
Highest Point
1,620 ft
~189.8 mi in
Elevation Range
1,352 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 49. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 12.9 miles in near US 70.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 239.7 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 12.9 miles (US 70): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 25.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 208 miles (I 49; US 62; US 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
12.9 mi into trip
|
~15m in
|
US 70
Take the exit onto US 70 toward I 430 North, US 70: Fort Smith
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 129
Toward I 430 North, US 70: Fort Smith
7
25.9 mi into trip
|
~30m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 40 West: Fort Smith, Oklahoma City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 13B
Toward I 40 West: Fort Smith, Oklahoma City
6
208 mi into trip
|
~3h 34m 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
233 mi into trip
|
~4h 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
233.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 1m in
|
US 71
Keep slight right at fork onto US 71
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Benton, AR to Bella Vista, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Oklahoma City along the way.
Oklahoma City
25.9 mi in
|
~30m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 134.7 mi | 2h 14m |
| I 49 | 71.3 mi | 1h 14m |
| US 70 | 13.1 mi | 15m |
| I 30 | 11.7 mi | 12m |
| US 71 | 4.8 mi | 7m |
| Cooper Road | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| East Lancashire Boulevard | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| East Carpenter Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 134.7 mi, about 2h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Benton, AR and Bella Vista, AR.
1
Start on North Main Street
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
North Main Street
2
Continue on Military Road
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
Military Road
3
Turn left onto AR 35
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
East Carpenter Street
4
Turn straight
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
5
Turn straight onto AR 5
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
I-30 Frontage Road
6
Take the ramp
516 ft
·
12 sec
7
Merge onto I 30; US 67; US 70
12 mi
·
12 min
·
I 30; US 67; US 70
8
Take the exit onto US 70
13 mi
·
15 min
·
US 70
Exit 129
Toward I 430 North, US 70: Fort Smith
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi
·
49 sec
Exit 13B
Toward I 40 West: Fort Smith, Oklahoma City
10
Merge onto I 40; US 65
135 mi
·
2 hr 14 min
·
I 40; US 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Toward I 49 North: Fayetteville
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 91
Use 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
Because this drive involves a significant number of turns on local roads, plan to depart early to maintain a steady pace throughout the 3-hour and 33-minute duration. While the trip can be done in one go, scheduling at least one stop is recommended to break up the technical nature of the local roads. Keep an eye on your navigation as you transition between Military Road and East Carpenter Street, as these local routes require more frequent adjustments than standard highway driving. Since you will spend about $37 on gas, fueling up before you leave Benton ensures you won't have to worry about finding a station while navigating the more localized sections of the route.
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 119.9 miles from Benton, AR, or about 2h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 134.7 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 80 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119.9 miles or 2h 4m 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 22m
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 Benton, 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 Benton, AR
This is one driving day of about 239.7 miles and 4h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Benton, 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 134.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 119.9 mi from Benton, AR · 2h 4m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
120 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 119.9 miles from Benton, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 134.7 miles.
Arriving in Bella Vista, AR
The final approach into Bella Vista, AR usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Bella Vista, AR.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.64 one way
$73.29 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
84 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $40.19 | $80.38 |
| premium | $4.61 | $43.50 | $87.01 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $53.25 | $106.51 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 71.9 | 0 | $25.17 | $11.51 |
| Efficient EV | 59.9 | 0 | $20.97 | $9.59 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 95.9 | 1 | $33.56 | $15.34 |
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 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.
Destination
Bella Vista, AR
Afternoon in Bella Vista on Sunday
Local time
3:25 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
76°F
Alma, AR
120 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
6 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 13m 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 Benton, AR to Bella Vista, AR covers 239.7 miles and takes about 4h 13m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, I 49, US 70. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 119.9 miles from Benton, AR. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $36.64 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 14 significant decision points across 239.7 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 12.9 miles (US 70): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 25.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 208 miles (I 49; US 62; US 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Benton, AR to Bella Vista, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Oklahoma City along the way.
Gently rolling terrain. The route ranges from 268 ft to 1,620 ft elevation with about 1,573 ft of total climbing.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Bella Vista, AR
More trips to Bella Vista, AR
Explore more options from Benton, AR or browse trips ending in Bella Vista, AR.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AR road trips.
Explore maps for Benton, AR or Bella Vista, AR on MapSof.net.