Origin
Fayetteville, AR
Afternoon in Fayetteville on Sunday
Local time
4:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fayetteville, AR to Bull Shoals, AR
Drive Time
2h 38m
Distance
116.9 mi
188 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 28m
★
6 AM
2h 38m
8 AM
2h 59m
10 AM
2h 45m
12 PM
2h 43m
3 PM
2h 46m
5 PM
2h 58m
8 PM
2h 32m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bull Shoals, AR
Connor Scott McManus
Trip Overview
If you are looking to escape Fayetteville, AR for a change of pace in Bull Shoals, AR, this 116.9-mile journey is a straightforward trek across the state. Expect to spend about 2 hours and 38 minutes behind the wheel, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. You will primarily rely on US 412 and US 62 to navigate between these two Southeast locations. With an estimated fuel cost of $18, the trip is quite budget-friendly for a quick getaway. Because the distance is manageable, you can easily complete the drive in one day without feeling rushed, though you should plan for at least one stop to break up the time.
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
58.5 miles from Fayetteville, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 17m into the drive .
Drive Character
This highway-focused drive keeps you moving efficiently, with 78% of your travel time spent on major thoroughfares. You will experience a variety of road conditions, starting with a significant 40.2-mile stretch on US 412 that serves as the longest uninterrupted portion of your trip. As you transition onto US 62 and West Bowen Boulevard, the road maintains a steady pace but requires your full attention. The personality of this route is functional and direct, favoring consistent highway travel over technical or winding backroads. Expect a reliable, predictable experience that allows you to cover the distance without unnecessary detours.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 412 is the longest continuous segment at about 40.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 412 and US 62. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Center Street.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 116.9 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Center Street): Navigation decision point; near the start (North College Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.4 miles (AR 45 / East Lafayette Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East Center Street
Turn left onto East Center Street
Navigation decision point
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
North College Avenue
Turn right onto North College Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
0.4 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
AR 45 / East Lafayette Street
Turn right onto AR 45 / East Lafayette Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
5
0.9 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
AR 45 / North Mission Boulevard
Turn left onto AR 45 / North Mission Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
5
106.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 20m in
|
AR 178
Turn left onto AR 178
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 412 | 40.2 mi | 46m |
| US 62 | 27.9 mi | 31m |
| West Bowen Boulevard | 12.5 mi | 18m |
| US 65 | 12.4 mi | 20m |
| AR 178 | 10 mi | 17m |
| North Mission Boulevard | 6.4 mi | 11m |
| Main Street | 5.9 mi | 8m |
| US 412B | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 412
— 40.2 mi, about 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fayetteville, AR and Bull Shoals, AR.
1
Start on this road
79 ft
·
11 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto East Center Street
147 ft
·
8 sec
·
East Center Street
3
Turn right onto North College Avenue
0.4 mi
·
58 sec
·
North College Avenue
Use the none lane.
4
Turn right onto AR 45
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
East Lafayette Street
Use the none lane.
5
Turn left onto AR 45
6.4 mi
·
11 min
·
North Mission Boulevard
Use the none lane.
6
Continue on AR 45
12 mi
·
18 min
·
West Bowen Boulevard
7
Turn straight onto US 412B
0.5 mi
·
53 sec
·
US 412B
8
Turn right onto US 412
40 mi
·
46 min
·
US 412
9
Continue on US 62; US 412
5.9 mi
·
8 min
·
Main Street
Use the right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
11
Turn right onto US 65
12 mi
·
20 min
·
US 65
12
Continue on US 62; US 412
28 mi
·
31 min
·
US 62; US 412
Use the left lane.
13
Turn left onto AR 178
10 mi
·
17 min
·
AR 178
Use the left lane.
14
Turn left onto Broadway Avenue
36 ft
·
1 sec
·
Broadway Avenue
15
Arrive at destination
Broadway Avenue
Trip Plan
For the smoothest experience, plan your departure to avoid peak local traffic and ensure you have a comfortable buffer for your one required stop. Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your schedule to match your personal pace, though keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is a smart habit despite the low $18 estimated cost. Given the highway-heavy nature of the route, stay alert during the longer stretches on US 412 where monotony can set in. Prioritize your single planned stop toward the midpoint of the journey to refresh before completing the final leg into Bull Shoals. Taking advantage of the route's simplicity allows you to spend less time navigating and more time enjoying your destination.
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 58.5 miles from Fayetteville, AR, or about 1h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 40.2 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 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58.5 miles or 1h 17m 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 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bull Shoals, AR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fayetteville, 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 Fayetteville, AR
This is one driving day of about 116.9 miles and 2h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Fayetteville, 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 US 412 for about 40.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 58.5 mi from Fayetteville, AR · 1h 17m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
58 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 58.5 miles from Fayetteville, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Bull Shoals, AR
The final approach into Bull Shoals, 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 Bull Shoals, 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
$17.87 one way
$35.74 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
41 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $19.60 | $39.20 |
| premium | $4.61 | $21.22 | $42.43 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $25.97 | $51.94 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35.1 | 0 | $12.27 | $5.61 |
| Efficient EV | 29.2 | 0 | $10.23 | $4.68 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 46.8 | 0 | $16.37 | $7.48 |
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 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
Bull Shoals, AR
Afternoon in Bull Shoals on Sunday
Local time
4:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
57°F
Delaware, AR
58 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
1 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 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 Fayetteville, AR to Bull Shoals, AR covers 116.9 miles and takes about 2h 38m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 412, US 62, West Bowen Boulevard. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 58.5 miles from Fayetteville, AR. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $17.87 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 116.9 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Center Street): Navigation decision point; near the start (North College Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.4 miles (AR 45 / East Lafayette Street): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Fayetteville, AR to Bull Shoals, AR does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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