Origin
Mena, AR
Evening in Mena on Sunday
Local time
6:20 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Mena, AR to Bentonville, AR
Drive Time
3h 6m
Distance
162 mi
261 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 55m
★
6 AM
3h 7m
8 AM
3h 30m
10 AM
3h 15m
12 PM
3h 13m
3 PM
3h 16m
5 PM
3h 29m
8 PM
3h 0m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Mena, AR
Aziz Abdulrahman
Bentonville, AR
Tima Miroshnichenko
Trip Overview
Traveling from Mena to Bentonville covers 162 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 6 minutes of drive time. Because this journey is well under a full day of travel, it works perfectly as a straightforward day trip without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via US 71 and I-49, keeping your transit efficient and direct. Budgeting approximately $25 for fuel should cover the trip comfortably in a standard vehicle. Since both cities are located within the same region of Arkansas, you can expect a consistent transition through the state's landscape rather than a drastic shift in geography.
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
81 miles from Mena, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 37m into the drive .
Drive Character
This highway-focused route is designed for efficiency, with 94% of the trip spent on high-speed roads. You will settle into a rhythm quickly, as the longest uninterrupted stretch covers 86.5 miles along US 71. The experience is defined by a blend of major interstate travel and strategic highway connections, providing a steady pace for the duration of your journey. While the drive remains practical and fast, the mix of I-49 and US 71 keeps the navigation straightforward. You can expect a reliable, consistent road surface that prioritizes speed and directness over technical maneuvers or winding local turns.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 71 is the longest continuous segment at about 86.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 71 and I 49. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 87.9 miles in near US 71.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 162 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 87.9 miles (US 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 92.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 139.6 miles (I 49; US 62; US 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
87.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 45m in
|
US 71
Keep slight right at fork onto US 71 toward I 40 East: Little Rock, Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 40 East: Little Rock, Memphis
6
92.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 50m in
Take the exit toward I 49 North: Fayetteville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 49 North: Fayetteville
6
139.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 38m in
|
I 49; US 62; US 71
Keep slight left at fork onto I 49; US 62; US 71
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
159.1 mi into trip
|
~3h in
|
AR 12; US 62 / Southeast 14th Street
Turn left onto AR 12; US 62 / Southeast 14th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
160.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 2m in
|
Southeast J Street
Turn right onto Southeast J Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Mena, AR to Bentonville, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Memphis along the way.
Memphis
87.9 mi in
|
~1h 45m
|
via US 71
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 71 | 86.5 mi | 1h 42m |
| I 49 | 65.6 mi | 1h 8m |
| Pickering | 5.7 mi | 6m |
| Southeast 14th Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Southeast J Street | 1 mi | 2m |
| East Central Avenue | 0.7 mi | 2m |
| Mena Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| US 62 | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 71
— 86.5 mi, about 1h 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mena, AR and Bentonville, AR.
1
Start on DeQueen Street
80 ft
·
8 sec
·
DeQueen Street
2
Turn left onto Church Avenue
375 ft
·
18 sec
·
Church Avenue
3
Turn right onto AR 88
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
Mena Street
4
Turn left onto US 59; US 71; AR 8
5.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Pickering
5
Continue on US 71; US 270
70 mi
·
1 hr 23 min
·
US 71; US 270
6
Take the exit onto US 71
12 mi
·
14 min
·
US 71
Toward 540 North
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 71
4.6 mi
·
4 min
·
US 71
Toward I 40 East: Little Rock, Memphis
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 49 North: Fayetteville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 49
46 mi
·
47 min
·
I 49
Use the none lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 49; US 62; US 71
19 mi
·
20 min
·
I 49; US 62; US 71
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit onto US 62; AR 12
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
US 62; AR 12
Toward US 62 East, AR 12 East, AR 102 West: Southeast 14th Street, Hudson Road
12
Turn left onto AR 12; US 62
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Southeast 14th Street
Use the none lane.
13
Turn right onto Southeast J Street
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Southeast J Street
Use the none lane.
14
Turn left onto East Central Avenue
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
East Central Avenue
Use the left lane.
15
Turn right onto North Main Street
185 ft
·
6 sec
·
North Main Street
16
Arrive at destination
North Main Street
Trip Plan
To keep your drive smooth, plan for at least one dedicated stop during the 162-mile trek to break up the time behind the wheel. Since the total duration is just over three hours, you have plenty of flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule best. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge early in the journey, though your $25 budget should be more than sufficient for the trip. Making the most of that single recommended stop is the best way to stay alert and comfortable as you transition between these two Arkansas hubs. Because the route relies heavily on major arteries, check for typical highway traffic patterns before you head out to ensure your timing remains accurate.
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 81 miles from Mena, AR, or about 1h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 86.5 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 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 81 miles or 1h 37m 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 32m
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 Mena, 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 Mena, AR
This is one driving day of about 162 miles and 3h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Mena, 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 71 for about 86.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 81 mi from Mena, AR · 1h 37m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
81 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 81 miles from Mena, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 71 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 86.5 miles.
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
$24.77 one way
$49.53 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
57 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $27.16 | $54.33 |
| premium | $4.61 | $29.40 | $58.80 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $35.99 | $71.98 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.7 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 | 48.6 | 0 | $17.01 | $7.78 |
| Efficient EV | 40.5 | 0 | $14.17 | $6.48 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 64.8 | 0 | $22.68 | $10.37 |
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 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.
Destination
Bentonville, AR
Evening in Bentonville on Sunday
Local time
6:20 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
63°F
Garland, TX
81 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
18 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 6m 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 Mena, AR to Bentonville, AR covers 162 miles and takes about 3h 6m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 71, I 49, Pickering. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 81 miles from Mena, AR. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $24.77 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 demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 162 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 87.9 miles (US 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 92.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 139.6 miles (I 49; US 62; US 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Mena, AR to Bentonville, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Memphis along the way.
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