Origin
Malvern, AR
Afternoon in Malvern on Sunday
Local time
3:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Malvern, AR to Benton, AR
Drive Time
26m
Distance
21.6 mi
35 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 24m
★
6 AM
0h 26m
8 AM
0h 31m
10 AM
0h 28m
12 PM
0h 27m
3 PM
0h 28m
5 PM
0h 30m
8 PM
0h 25m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Malvern, AR
Andrea Piacquadio
Benton, AR
Tima Miroshnichenko
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick connection between Malvern and Benton, this 21.6-mile trip is an efficient way to travel through Arkansas. The drive typically takes about 26 minutes, making it a straightforward day trip that requires no overnight stay. You will primarily utilize US 270, Martin Luther King Boulevard, and I-30 to complete the journey. With an estimated fuel cost of just $3, it is an economical route for commuters or casual travelers. Since both cities are located within the Southeast region of Arkansas, you won't experience significant shifts in geography or climate. It is a practical, no-nonsense path designed for those who value speed and directness over a leisurely pace.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
10.8 miles from Malvern, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 12m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 82% of your time spent on major roads. You will settle into a steady rhythm early on, as the longest uninterrupted stretch covers 16 miles along US 270. Transitioning from the highway segments onto Martin Luther King Boulevard and I-30 provides a blend of road types, though the experience remains consistently efficient. Expect a smooth, functional drive rather than a winding backroads adventure. Because the route is short and lacks planned stops, you can anticipate a streamlined experience behind the wheel that prioritizes getting you to your destination quickly.
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.
US 270 is the longest continuous segment at about 16 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 270 and Martin Luther King Boulevard. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 26m drive. You will face about 5 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: Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (US 270B / South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.6 miles (US 270): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 5 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
4
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 270B / South Main Street
Turn left onto US 270B / South Main Street
Navigation decision point
3
2.6 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
US 270
Take the ramp onto US 270
Navigation decision point
5
19.8 mi into trip
|
~22m in
Take the exit toward Sevier Street, South Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Sevier Street, South Street
4
21.5 mi into trip
|
~25m in
|
North Main Street
Turn left onto North Main Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 270 | 16 mi | 16m |
| Martin Luther King Boulevard | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| I 30 | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| West South Street | 1 mi | 1m |
| South Main Street | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| I-30 Frontage Road | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Oliver Lancaster Boulevard | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Martin Luther King Road | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 270
— 16 mi, about 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Malvern, AR and Benton, AR.
1
Start on this road
206 ft
·
17 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right
79 ft
·
11 sec
3
Turn left onto US 270B
0.6 mi
·
53 sec
·
South Main Street
4
Continue on US 270B
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Martin Luther King Boulevard
5
Continue on US 270B
0.4 mi
·
37 sec
·
Oliver Lancaster Boulevard
6
Continue on US 270B
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
Martin Luther King Road
7
Take the ramp onto US 270
16 mi
·
16 min
·
US 270
8
Continue on I 30; US 67; US 70
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
I 30; US 67; US 70
9
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
43 sec
Toward Sevier Street, South Street
10
Continue on I-30 Frontage Road
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
·
I-30 Frontage Road
11
Turn slight right onto West South Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
West South Street
12
Turn left onto North Main Street
394 ft
·
9 sec
·
North Main Street
13
Arrive at destination
North Main Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a brief 26-minute journey, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You won't need to worry about complex stop planning, as the route is designed to be completed in one go without any necessary pauses. Keep in mind that the majority of your travel occurs on highway infrastructure, so stay alert for typical traffic patterns on I-30. With a low $3 fuel budget, you can easily top off your tank in Malvern before you head out. Use the short duration to your advantage by planning your arrival in Benton around your specific schedule, as the lack of required stops makes it easy to stay on time.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 10.8 miles from Malvern, AR, or about 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 16 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 21.6 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 10.8 miles or 12m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Benton, AR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Malvern, 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 Malvern, AR
This is one driving day of about 21.6 miles and 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Malvern, AR.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on US 270 for about 16 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 10.8 mi from Malvern, AR · 12m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
11 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 21.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 10.8 miles from Malvern, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Benton, AR
The final approach into Benton, 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 Benton, 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
$3.30 one way
$6.60 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
8 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $3.62 | $7.24 |
| premium | $4.61 | $3.92 | $7.84 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $4.80 | $9.60 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$28–$53
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 7.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 6.5 | 0 | $2.27 | $1.04 |
| Efficient EV | 5.4 | 0 | $1.89 | $0.86 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 8.6 | 0 | $3.02 | $1.38 |
Gas CO2
8 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (63% 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
Benton, AR
Afternoon in Benton on Sunday
Local time
3:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
80°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
22 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
26m 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 Malvern, AR to Benton, AR covers 21.6 miles and takes about 26m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 270, Martin Luther King Boulevard, I 30. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 10.8 miles from Malvern, AR. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $3.30 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.
This is a straightforward 26m drive. You will face about 5 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (US 270B / South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.6 miles (US 270): Navigation decision point.
The route from Malvern, AR to Benton, AR does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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