Origin
Bentonville, AR
Afternoon in Bentonville on Sunday
Local time
2:30 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bentonville, AR to North Little Rock, AR
Drive Time
3h 38m
Distance
210.2 mi
338 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$32
one way
Bentonville, AR
Tima Miroshnichenko
Trip Overview
Connecting Bentonville to North Little Rock is a straightforward 210.2-mile journey that typically takes about 3 hours and 38 minutes to complete. Because this trip is designed as a single-day excursion, you won't need to worry about booking overnight accommodations unless you prefer a slower pace. Expect to spend roughly $32 on fuel, making this an economical trip across Arkansas. You will primarily utilize I-49 and I-40 to navigate between these two hubs in the Southeast region. The route is highly efficient, allowing you to move between the state's northern reaches and the central capital area with minimal logistical overhead.
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
105.1 miles from Bentonville, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 51m into the drive .
Drive Character
With 98% of your travel occurring on major highways, this is a quintessential interstate-focused drive. You will spend the vast majority of your time at highway speeds, characterized by a long, 140-mile stretch on I-40 that demands steady focus. The transition from the local Southeast J Street exit in Bentonville quickly gives way to the wider, faster lanes of the interstate system. While the road lacks the technical challenges of winding mountain passes, the sheer consistency of the highway environment makes it a reliable, high-speed transit. Expect a predictable experience that prioritizes speed and directness over rural sightseeing.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 12 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 140 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 49. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Central Avenue.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h 38m 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: near the start (East Central Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.7 miles (Southeast J Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.8 miles (AR 102 / Southeast 14th Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East Central Avenue
Turn left onto East Central Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
5
0.7 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
Southeast J Street
Turn right onto Southeast J Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
1.8 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
AR 102 / Southeast 14th Street
Turn left onto AR 102 / Southeast 14th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
68.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 14m 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
69.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 15m in
|
I 40; US 71
Merge onto I 40; US 71
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Bentonville, AR to North Little Rock, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Little Rock along the way.
Little Rock
68.7 mi in
|
~1h 14m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 140 mi | 2h 20m |
| I 49 | 65.7 mi | 1h 8m |
| Southeast J Street | 1 mi | 2m |
| Southeast 14th Street | 1 mi | 1m |
| North Main Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| East Central Avenue | 0.7 mi | 2m |
| US 62 | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 140 mi, about 2h 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bentonville, AR and North Little Rock, AR.
1
Start on North Main Street
185 ft
·
13 sec
·
North Main Street
2
Turn left onto East Central Avenue
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
East Central Avenue
Use the none lane.
3
Turn right onto Southeast J Street
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Southeast J Street
Use the right lane.
4
Turn left onto AR 102
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Southeast 14th Street
Use the left lane.
5
Take the ramp onto US 62; AR 12
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
·
US 62; AR 12
Use the right lane.
6
Continue on I 49; US 62; US 71; AR 12
66 mi
·
1 hr 8 min
·
I 49; US 62; US 71; AR 12
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 40 East: Alma, Little Rock
8
Merge onto I 40; US 71
140 mi
·
2 hr 20 min
·
I 40; US 71
Use the none lane.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Use the right lane.
10
Turn slight right
93 ft
·
4 sec
11
Turn slight right onto North Main Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
12
Arrive at destination
North Main Street
Trip Plan
Since the total drive time is under four hours, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though leaving early helps avoid potential congestion near city centers. Plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs, especially during the long 140-mile segment on I-40 where interstate fatigue can set in. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before merging onto the main highway corridors to ensure you avoid higher-priced stops. Given that this is a one-day trip, your best strategy is to pack snacks and drinks ahead of time so you can maintain momentum. Aim to complete the journey in one push to maximize your time once you arrive in North Little Rock.
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 105.1 miles from Bentonville, AR, or about 1h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 140 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 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 105.1 miles or 1h 51m 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 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near North Little Rock, AR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Bentonville, 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 Bentonville, AR
This is one driving day of about 210.2 miles and 3h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Bentonville, 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 140 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 105.1 mi from Bentonville, AR · 1h 51m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
105 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 105.1 miles from Bentonville, 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 140 miles.
Arriving in North Little Rock, AR
The final approach into North Little Rock, 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 North Little Rock, 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
$32.13 one way
$64.27 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
74 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $35.25 | $70.49 |
| premium | $4.61 | $38.15 | $76.30 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $46.70 | $93.40 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 63.1 | 0 | $22.07 | $10.09 |
| Efficient EV | 52.6 | 0 | $18.39 | $8.41 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 84.1 | 1 | $29.43 | $13.45 |
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (66% 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
North Little Rock, AR
Afternoon in North Little Rock on Sunday
Local time
2:30 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°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
13 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
3h 38m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Bentonville, AR to North Little Rock, AR covers 210.2 miles and takes about 3h 38m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, I 49, Southeast J Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 105.1 miles from Bentonville, AR. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $32.13 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 3h 38m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Central Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.7 miles (Southeast J Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.8 miles (AR 102 / Southeast 14th Street): Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Bentonville, AR to North Little Rock, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Little Rock along the way.
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