Origin
Malvern, AR
Afternoon in Malvern on Sunday
Local time
2:28 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Malvern, AR to Bentonville, AR
Drive Time
3h 43m
Distance
251.5 mi
405 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
Malvern, AR
Andrea Piacquadio
Bentonville, AR
Tima Miroshnichenko
Trip Overview
Traveling from Malvern to Bentonville spans 251.5 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 43 minutes. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive rather than a highway sprint, it functions best as a focused one-day journey. You should budget approximately $34 for fuel to complete the trip. While both cities are located within the Southeast region of Arkansas, the transition between them requires navigating through various local corridors. It is a manageable distance for a single day, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight split if you manage your time well.
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
125.8 miles from Malvern, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 51m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a technical experience behind the wheel, as this route is defined by its turn-heavy local profile rather than high-speed interstate cruising. You will navigate through local roads like South Main Street, Martin Luther King Boulevard, and Oliver Lancaster Boulevard, which account for the entirety of the trip since the highway share is 0%. Because there is no extended highway stretch, your longest uninterrupted drive occurs on South Main Street, which offers no significant length of straight-line travel. You will need to stay alert throughout the journey, as the constant turns demand your full attention compared to a standard highway haul.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 33 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
South Main Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h 43m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Malvern, AR to Bentonville, AR is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Main Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Martin Luther King Boulevard | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Oliver Lancaster Boulevard | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Martin Luther King Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Malvern Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Doctor Martin Luther King | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Hot Springs Bypass | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| the route | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
South Main Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Malvern, AR and Bentonville, AR.
1
Start on the route
207 ft
·
17 sec
·
the route
2
Turn right
79 ft
·
11 sec
3
Turn left onto South Main Street
0.6 mi
·
54 sec
·
South Main Street
4
Continue on Martin Luther King Boulevard
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Martin Luther King Boulevard
5
Continue on Oliver Lancaster Boulevard
0.4 mi
·
37 sec
·
Oliver Lancaster Boulevard
6
Continue on Martin Luther King Road
13 mi
·
14 min
·
Martin Luther King Road
7
Continue on Malvern Avenue
0.5 mi
·
34 sec
·
Malvern Avenue
8
Take the exit slight right
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
9
Merge slight left onto Doctor Martin Luther King, Junior Expressway
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Doctor Martin Luther King, Junior Expressway
10
Continue on Hot Springs Bypass
5.9 mi
·
6 min
·
Hot Springs Bypass
11
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
184 ft
·
2 sec
·
the route
12
Exit the roundabout
45 mi
·
50 min
13
At the end of the road, turn right
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
14
At the end of the road, turn left onto South Scenic 7 Drive
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
·
South Scenic 7 Drive
15
Continue on 4th Street
14 mi
·
16 min
·
4th Street
16
Continue on North State Highway 7
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
North State Highway 7
17
Continue straight
374 ft
·
9 sec
18
Turn right onto Union Street
4.9 mi
·
5 min
·
Union Street
19
Turn left onto West Main Street
3.1 mi
·
5 min
·
West Main Street
20
Continue on West Main Street
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
West Main Street
21
Turn right onto Mission Road
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Mission Road
22
Continue on Lakewood Drive
367 ft
·
10 sec
·
Lakewood Drive
23
Take the ramp left toward I-40
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
I-40
24
Merge slight left
65 mi
·
1 hr 4 min
25
Take the exit slight right toward I 49 North: Fayetteville
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
·
I 49 North: Fayetteville
26
Continue straight
46 mi
·
47 min
27
Keep slight left
19 mi
·
20 min
28
Take the exit slight right toward US 62 East, AR 12 East, AR 102 West: Southeast 14th Street, Hudson Road
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
US 62 East, AR 12 East, AR 102 West: Southeast 14th Street, Hudson Road
29
Turn left onto Southeast 14th Street
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Southeast 14th Street
30
Turn right onto Southeast J Street
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Southeast J Street
31
Turn left onto East Central Avenue
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
East Central Avenue
32
Turn right onto North Main Street
187 ft
·
6 sec
·
North Main Street
33
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a 251.5-mile drive on local roads, planning your departure time is essential to avoid fatigue from the frequent turns. You have the flexibility to make at least one planned stop to stretch your legs and break up the 3-hour and 43-minute duration. Keep in mind that the lack of highway miles means your average speed will remain lower than on interstates, so factor in extra time for potential local traffic. Before you head out, ensure your fuel tank is ready to handle the $34 cost, as local roads often feature more stop-and-go conditions than open highways. A concrete tip for this trip is to map out your turns in advance, as the reliance on local boulevards makes navigation more complex than a simple interstate route.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 125.8 miles from Malvern, AR, or about 1h 51m into the drive.
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 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 125.8 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 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bentonville, 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 251.5 miles and 3h 43m.
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.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 125.8 mi from Malvern, AR · 1h 51m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
126 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 125.8 miles from Malvern, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Bentonville, AR
The final approach into Bentonville, 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 Bentonville, 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
$38.45 one way
$76.90 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
88 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $42.17 | $84.34 |
| premium | $4.61 | $45.65 | $91.29 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $55.87 | $111.75 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 75.5 | 0 | $26.41 | $12.07 |
| Efficient EV | 62.9 | 0 | $22.01 | $10.06 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 100.6 | 1 | $35.21 | $16.10 |
Gas CO2
88 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Bentonville, AR
Afternoon in Bentonville on Sunday
Local time
2:28 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°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
16 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
3h 43m 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 Bentonville, AR covers 251.5 miles and takes about 3h 43m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are South Main Street, Martin Luther King Boulevard, Oliver Lancaster Boulevard. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 125.8 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 $38.45 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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 3h 43m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Malvern, AR to Bentonville, AR is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Malvern, AR to Bentonville, AR does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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