Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
3h 45m
Distance
215.8 mi
347 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Carlisle, AR
Ollie Craig
This 215.8-mile drive from Carlisle to Fayetteville, Arkansas, is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-40 and then transitioning to I-49, you'll find this route to be 97% highway, making it a fast-paced trip. The estimated fuel cost for this drive is around $33. Given its efficiency, it's an ideal day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure and arrival times. The drive keeps you within the Southeast region of Arkansas, offering a consistent travel experience throughout.
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
107.9 miles from Carlisle, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 51m into the drive .
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive for nearly its entirety, with 97% of the route on major interstates. You'll experience a significant stretch of 169.7 miles on I-40, which provides a consistent and unimpeded pace. While the road is primarily interstate, the transition to I-49 as you approach your destination offers a continuation of this efficient travel. This route is designed for covering distance effectively, rather than for a winding, scenic exploration, with the main roads being I-40 and I-49.
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 around 0.2 miles in near West 4th Street.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h 45m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (West 4th Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.8 miles (AR 13 / Bobby L Glover Highway): Navigation decision point; at 1.8 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
At end of road, turn left onto West 4th Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
At end of road, turn right onto AR 13 / Bobby L Glover Highway
Navigation decision point
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward AR 112, AR 265
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn left onto South School Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 169.7 mi | 2h 52m |
| I 49 | 40.3 mi | 40m |
| South Razorback Road | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| West Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Bobby L Glover Highway | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| South Nelson Hackett Boulevard | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| North Williams Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| South Cato Springs Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Carlisle, AR and Fayetteville, AR.
Start on North Court Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto West 4th Street
Turn right onto North Williams Avenue
Continue on West 10th Street
At end of road, turn right onto AR 13
Continue on AR 13
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 40
Take the exit
Continue on I 49
Take the exit
Turn slight right onto AR 265
Continue on South Razorback Road
Turn right onto AR 180
Turn left onto South School Avenue
Turn slight right onto South Nelson Hackett Boulevard
Continue on South College Avenue
Turn right onto East Center Street
Turn right
Arrive at destination
With a duration of under 4 hours, this drive is perfect for a single-day excursion, offering flexibility for when you want to depart. Consider leaving in the morning to maximize your time in Fayetteville. The longest stretch without a major turn is 169.7 miles on I-40, so plan for a fuel stop before you begin that segment if needed. While there's only one recommended stop implied by the data, you can always pull over at any of the numerous services available along I-40 and I-49 for a break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the long I-40 stretch, as services can be spaced out.
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.
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 47 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107.9 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 3h 2m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fayetteville, AR than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Carlisle, 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 Carlisle, AR
This is one driving day of about 215.8 miles and 3h 45m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 107.9 mi from Carlisle, AR · 1h 51m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
108 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.
A short stop after about 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 107.9 miles from Carlisle, 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 169.7 miles.
The final approach into Fayetteville, 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 Fayetteville, 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.
Regular Gas
$32.59 one way
$65.18 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $35.78 | $71.55 |
| premium | $4.56 | $38.73 | $77.47 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $47.65 | $95.29 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 64.7 | 0 | $22.66 | $10.36 |
| Efficient EV | 54 | 0 | $18.88 | $8.63 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 86.3 | 1 | $30.21 | $13.81 |
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (67% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Carlisle on Wednesday
Local time
11:03 PM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Partly Sunny
Destination
Night in Fayetteville on Wednesday
Local time
11:03 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
57°F
Delaware, AR
108 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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