Origin
Decatur, AR
Afternoon in Decatur on Thursday
Local time
3:33 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Decatur, AR to New Caledonia, AR
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
6h 40m
Distance
356 mi
573 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$54
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 28m
★
6 AM
6h 40m
8 AM
7h 4m
10 AM
6h 48m
12 PM
6h 46m
3 PM
6h 50m
5 PM
7h 3m
8 PM
6h 33m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Decatur, AR
Tima Miroshnichenko
New Caledonia, AR
Dominik Ruhl
Trip Overview
The drive from Decatur, AR to New Caledonia, AR covers 356 miles and takes about 6h 40m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 40, US 167, I 49 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 140.4 miles on I 40. At current regular gas prices, budget about $53.76 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
178 miles from Decatur, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 11m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 40m. Total distance: 356 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 40m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
This is a 6h 40m highway drive covering 356 miles, with most of the trip on I 40 and US 167. The longest continuous stretch is about 140.4 miles on I 40.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 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 140.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and US 167. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 11.7 miles in near US 412.
Driving Effort
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 356 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 11.7 miles (US 412): Lane positioning matters here; at 81.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 226.8 miles (I 530; US 65; US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
11.7 mi into trip
|
~17m in
|
US 412
At end of road, turn left onto US 412
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
81.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 33m 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
6
226.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 1m in
|
I 530; US 65; US 167
Keep slight left at fork onto I 530; US 65; US 167
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
236.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 12m in
|
US 167
Take the exit onto US 167 toward US 167 South: Sheridan, Fordyce, El Dorado
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward US 167 South: Sheridan, Fordyce, El Dora...
7
338.5 mi into trip
|
~6h 15m in
|
US 167
Take the exit onto US 167 toward US 167 South, AR 7 South: El Dorado, Junction City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 167 South, AR 7 South: El Dorado, Jun...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Decatur, AR and New Caledonia, AR, road signs point toward Little Rock, Fordyce and El Dorado.
Little Rock
81.2 mi in
|
~1h 33m
Fordyce
236.8 mi in
|
~4h 12m
|
via US 167
El Dorado
236.8 mi in
|
~4h 12m
|
via US 167
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 140.4 mi | 2h 21m |
| US 167 | 113.3 mi | 2h 14m |
| I 49 | 51.4 mi | 52m |
| US 412 | 17.8 mi | 23m |
| I 530 | 10 mi | 10m |
| North Main Street | 7.3 mi | 11m |
| US 65 | 4.6 mi | 6m |
| AR 59 | 4.4 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 140.4 mi, about 2h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Decatur, AR and New Caledonia, AR.
1
Start on AR 59; AR 102
7.3 mi
·
11 min
·
North Main Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
2
Continue on AR 59
4.3 mi
·
6 min
·
AR 59
3
Continue on AR 59
421 ft
·
14 sec
·
AR 59
Use the straight lane.
4
At end of road, turn left onto US 412
18 mi
·
23 min
·
US 412
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
Use the right lane.
6
Merge onto I 49; US 62; US 71
51 mi
·
52 min
·
I 49; US 62; US 71
Use the straight lane.
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 21 min
·
I 40; US 71
9
Take the exit onto US 65
4.6 mi
·
6 min
·
US 65
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 530; US 65; US 167
10.0 mi
·
10 min
·
I 530; US 65; US 167
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit onto US 167
56 mi
·
1 hr 5 min
·
US 167
Toward US 167 South: Sheridan, Fordyce, El Dorado
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Turn right onto US 79; US 167
4.1 mi
·
6 min
·
US 79; US 167
13
Keep slight left at fork onto US 167
42 mi
·
50 min
·
US 167
Toward US 167: El Dorado
14
Take the exit onto US 167
16 mi
·
18 min
·
US 167
Toward US 167 South, AR 7 South: El Dorado, Junction City
15
Turn left onto Caledonia Road
1.8 mi
·
6 min
·
Caledonia Road
16
Arrive at destination
Caledonia Road
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 178 miles from Decatur, AR, or about 3h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 140.4 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 78 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 178 miles or 3h 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New Caledonia, AR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Decatur, 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 Decatur, AR
This is one driving day of about 356 miles and 6h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 78 miles from Decatur, 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 140.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 178 mi from Decatur, AR · 3h 11m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
178 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 78 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 178 miles from Decatur, 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 140.4 miles.
Arriving in New Caledonia, AR
The final approach into New Caledonia, 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 New Caledonia, 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
$53.76 one way
$107.53 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
125 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $59.02 | $118.04 |
| premium | $4.56 | $63.90 | $127.80 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $78.60 | $157.20 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$54
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 124.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 106.8 | 1 | $37.38 | $17.09 |
| Efficient EV | 89 | 1 | $31.15 | $14.24 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 142.4 | 1 | $49.84 | $22.78 |
Gas CO2
125 kg
EV CO2
42 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
New Caledonia, AR
Afternoon in New Caledonia on Thursday
Local time
3:33 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°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
4 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 40m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Decatur, AR to New Caledonia, AR covers 356 miles and takes about 6h 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, US 167, I 49. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 178 miles from Decatur, AR. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $53.76 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 13 significant decision points across 356 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 11.7 miles (US 412): Lane positioning matters here; at 81.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 226.8 miles (I 530; US 65; US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Decatur, AR and New Caledonia, AR, road signs point toward Little Rock, Fordyce and El Dorado.
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