Origin
Manila, AR
Afternoon in Manila on Sunday
Local time
3:41 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
3h 32m
Distance
186.3 mi
300 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Manila, AR
Kenneth Surillo
Benton, AR
Tima Miroshnichenko
Traveling from Manila to Benton covers 186.3 miles across Arkansas, typically taking about 3 hours and 32 minutes of drive time. Because this journey fits comfortably into a single day, there is no need to worry about overnight accommodations. Budgeting approximately $28 for fuel should cover your needs for the trip. You will navigate primarily through the Southeast region, transitioning between local routes and major interstate corridors. It is a straightforward, practical drive that serves as an efficient connection between these two points in the state.
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
93.2 miles from Manila, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 51m into the drive .
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 95% of your travel occurs on major thoroughfares. You will spend the bulk of your time utilizing Highway 18, I-57, and I-30 to make steady progress toward your destination. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 102.7-mile segment on I-57, which requires sustained attention on the open road. While the route is designed for efficiency rather than leisure, the transition from local highways to the interstate system defines the shifting pace of the drive.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Highway 18. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near US 78; AR 18 / Highway 18.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 186.3 miles you will encounter 11 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: at 0.6 miles (US 78; AR 18 / Highway 18): Navigation decision point; at 54.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 158.8 miles (US 167): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
At end of road, turn right onto US 78; AR 18 / Highway 18
Navigation decision point
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Take the exit onto US 167 toward I 30 West, US 65 South, US 67 South, US 167 South: Little Rock
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto I 30; US 67 toward Texarkana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward AR 5, AR 35: Benton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
On the drive from Manila, AR to Benton, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Texarkana along the way.
Texarkana
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 57 | 102.7 mi | 1h 45m |
| Highway 18 | 34.3 mi | 46m |
| I 30 | 20.8 mi | 23m |
| US 78 | 12.5 mi | 14m |
| Southwest Drive | 7.4 mi | 8m |
| US 167 | 4.9 mi | 6m |
| AR 35 | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| I 40 | 0.9 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Manila, AR and Benton, AR.
Start on West Olympia Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto US 78; AR 18
Turn left onto AR 18
Continue on US 78; AR 226
Take the exit
Merge onto I 57
Merge onto I 40; US 167
Take the exit onto US 167
Keep slight right at fork onto I 30; US 67
Take the exit
Turn straight onto AR 5
Turn slight right onto AR 5
Turn left onto AR 35
Turn right onto East Sevier Street
Turn right onto North Main Street
Arrive at destination
Since this is a manageable one-day excursion, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the 186.3-mile journey and keep your focus sharp behind the wheel. Given that your fuel costs will hover around $28, filling up before you merge onto the longer stretches of I-57 is a smart way to avoid unnecessary detours. Keep a close watch on your navigation as you transition between Highway 18 and the interstate system to ensure you maintain your momentum throughout the trip.
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.
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 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 93.2 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 2h 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Benton, AR than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Manila, 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 Manila, AR
This is one driving day of about 186.3 miles and 3h 32m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 93.2 mi from Manila, AR · 1h 51m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
93 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 93.2 miles from Manila, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 57 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 102.7 miles.
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.
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.
Regular Gas
$28.48 one way
$56.96 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $31.24 | $62.48 |
| premium | $4.61 | $33.81 | $67.63 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $41.39 | $82.78 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 65.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 55.9 | 0 | $19.56 | $8.94 |
| Efficient EV | 46.6 | 0 | $16.30 | $7.45 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 74.5 | 0 | $26.08 | $11.92 |
Gas CO2
65 kg
EV CO2
22 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Manila on Sunday
Local time
3:41 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Benton on Sunday
Local time
3:41 PM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Along the Route
81°F
Bono, AR
93 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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