Trip from Delaware, AR to Fordyce, AR

Drive Time

2h 58m

Distance

157.3 mi

253 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$24

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
2h 47m ★
6 AM
2h 58m
8 AM
3h 21m
10 AM
3h 6m
12 PM
3h 4m
3 PM
3h 7m
5 PM
3h 20m
8 PM
2h 52m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Delaware, AR, AR

Delaware, AR

Christopher Santiago

Downtown Fordyce, AR, AR

Fordyce, AR

SHVETS production

Trip Overview

Traveling from Delaware to Fordyce covers 157.3 miles through the heart of Arkansas. You can expect a total drive time of approximately 2 hours and 58 minutes, making this a very manageable single-day trip. With an estimated fuel cost of $24, it is an affordable journey that keeps you within the Southeast region for the duration of your travel. Because the route is straightforward and focused on efficient transit, there is no need to split this into an overnight excursion. It serves as a practical, direct link between these two points, allowing you to reach your destination without excessive planning or logistical hurdles.

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

78.6 miles from Delaware, AR

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 27m into the drive .

Drive Character

This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 95% of your time spent on major routes like I-40, US-167, and I-530. You will settle into a steady rhythm quickly, highlighted by a longest uninterrupted stretch of 68.7 miles on I-40. The transition between these arteries defines the drive's personality, shifting from the high-speed flow of the interstates to the more localized feel of the connecting highways. Expect a consistent experience behind the wheel that prioritizes speed and efficiency over winding secondary roads. It is the type of drive where you can settle into a comfortable cruising pace for the majority of the journey.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 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 68.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and US 167. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 16.5 miles in near AR 331.

Route Complexity 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

This is a straightforward 2h 58m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 16.5 miles (AR 331): Lane positioning matters here; at 16.7 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 17 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 10 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

6
16.5 mi into trip | ~23m in | AR 331

Turn left onto AR 331

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
6
16.7 mi into trip | ~24m in

Take the ramp toward I-40

Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch

Exit 84 Toward I-40
5
17 mi into trip | ~24m in | I 40

Merge onto I 40

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.
6
90.3 mi into trip | ~1h 40m 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
100.3 mi into trip | ~1h 50m 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...

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Delaware, AR to Fordyce, AR, road signs begin pointing toward El Dorado along the way.

El Dorado

100.3 mi in | ~1h 50m | via US 167

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 40 68.7 mi 1h 9m
US 167 56 mi 1h 5m
I 530 10 mi 10m
AR 22 9.2 mi 13m
Union Street 4.9 mi 5m
US 65 4.6 mi 6m
East Main Street 2.3 mi 3m
Moro 0.8 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 40 — 68.7 mi, about 1h 9m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Delaware, AR and Fordyce, AR.

1

Start on Fire Dept Loop

515 ft · 27 sec · Fire Dept Loop
2

Turn left onto AR 22

9.2 mi · 13 min · AR 22
3

Turn left onto AR 7

4.9 mi · 5 min · Union Street
4

Turn right onto US 64

2.3 mi · 3 min · East Main Street
5

Turn left onto AR 331

0.3 mi · 28 sec · AR 331
Use the left lane.
6

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 33 sec
Exit 84 Toward I-40
7

Merge onto I 40

69 mi · 1 hr 9 min · I 40
Use the none lane.
8

Take the exit onto US 65

4.6 mi · 6 min · US 65
9

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.
10

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.
11

Continue on US 79B

0.8 mi · 1 min · Moro
12

Turn right onto US 79B; AR 8

0.2 mi · 18 sec · East 4th Street
13

Arrive at destination

US 79B; AR 8

Trip Plan

Since this is a sub-three-hour drive, you have plenty of flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule best. Plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs, as this will help break up the highway monotony and keep you refreshed for the final leg. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before leaving the interstate sections, as access to stations can vary once you transition onto US-167. Because your budget for gas is around $24, filling up at your starting point in Delaware is a smart way to avoid mid-trip price fluctuations. Using your single allotted stop to refuel and grab a snack will ensure you reach Fordyce without any unnecessary stress.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 78.6 miles from Delaware, AR, or about 1h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 68.7 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 28m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 78.6 miles or 1h 27m 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 24m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fordyce, AR than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Delaware, 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 Delaware, AR

This is one driving day of about 157.3 miles and 2h 58m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Delaware, 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 68.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 78.6 mi from Delaware, AR · 1h 27m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Haskell, AR

79 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

Haskell, AR

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Haskell, AR

Meal break

The midpoint is around 78.6 miles from Delaware, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 68.7 miles.

Arriving in Fordyce, AR

The final approach into Fordyce, 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 Fordyce, AR.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$24.05 one way

$48.09 round trip

$3.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 55 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.26 $26.38 $52.75
premium $4.61 $28.55 $57.10
diesel $5.64 $34.95 $69.89

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$24

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$49–$74

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 55 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 47.2 0 $16.52 $7.55
Efficient EV 39.3 0 $13.76 $6.29
EV Truck/SUV 62.9 0 $22.02 $10.07

Gas CO2

55 kg

EV CO2

18 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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Delaware, AR

Evening in Delaware on Sunday

Local time

6:19 PM

CDT

Current temp

57°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Fordyce, AR

Evening in Fordyce on Sunday

Local time

6:19 PM

CDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

59°F

Haskell, AR

79 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

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

2h 58m 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 Delaware, AR to Fordyce, AR covers 157.3 miles and takes about 2h 58m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, US 167, I 530. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 78.6 miles from Delaware, AR. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $24.05 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
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 2h 58m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 16.5 miles (AR 331): Lane positioning matters here; at 16.7 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 17 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Delaware, AR to Fordyce, AR, road signs begin pointing toward El Dorado along the way.

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