Origin
Morrilton, AR
Afternoon in Morrilton on Sunday
Local time
3:41 PM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Morrilton, AR to Benton, AR
Drive Time
1h 15m
Distance
69 mi
111 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 10m
★
6 AM
1h 16m
8 AM
1h 28m
10 AM
1h 20m
12 PM
1h 19m
3 PM
1h 21m
5 PM
1h 27m
8 PM
1h 12m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Morrilton, AR
Regan Dsouza
Benton, AR
Tima Miroshnichenko
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick and straightforward transit across central Arkansas, the 69-mile trek from Morrilton to Benton is an ideal day trip. You can expect to spend about 1 hour and 15 minutes behind the wheel, making this a highly efficient connection within the Southeast region. With a fuel budget of approximately $11, this drive is very budget-friendly for a solo traveler or a small group. Because the transit time is so brief, there is no need to plan for an overnight stay; you can easily complete the entire journey in a single morning or afternoon. The route relies heavily on major infrastructure, ensuring a consistent pace from start to finish.
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
34.5 miles from Morrilton, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 36m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a highway-focused drive, with 96% of the journey spent on high-speed roads. You will primarily navigate via I-40, I-430, and US-70, which keeps the flow of traffic steady and predictable. The most significant portion of your time will be spent on a 40.3-mile stretch along I-40, which serves as the backbone of this trip. Expect a utilitarian experience that emphasizes speed over scenery, as the transition between the interstate and local highways is designed for efficiency. Being behind the wheel here requires staying alert to merging traffic patterns as you move through the various highway segments.
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.
I 40 is the longest continuous segment at about 40.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 430. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.9 miles in near I 40.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 69 miles you will encounter 9 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 1.9 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 42.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 55.1 miles (US 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1.9 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
I 40
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
42.2 mi into trip
|
~44m in
Take the exit toward I 430: Texarkana
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 430: Texarkana
8
55.1 mi into trip
|
~59m in
|
US 70
Keep slight right at fork onto US 70 toward I 30 West: Texarkana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 129B
Toward I 30 West: Texarkana
5
67.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 12m in
Take the exit toward AR 5, AR 35: Benton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward AR 5, AR 35: Benton
5
68.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 15m in
|
North Main Street
Turn right onto North Main Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 40.3 mi | 40m |
| I 430 | 12.3 mi | 14m |
| US 70 | 12.1 mi | 13m |
| North Oak Street | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| AR 35 | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| South Division Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| I-30 Frontage Road | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Old Hot Springs Highway | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 40.3 mi, about 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Morrilton, AR and Benton, AR.
1
Start on South Moose Street
60 ft
·
7 sec
·
South Moose Street
2
Turn left onto East Church Street
354 ft
·
16 sec
·
East Church Street
3
Turn right onto AR 113
0.5 mi
·
57 sec
·
South Division Street
4
Continue on AR 95
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
North Oak Street
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
6
Merge onto I 40
40 mi
·
40 min
·
I 40
Use the none lane.
7
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 430: Texarkana
Use the slight right lane.
8
Continue on I 430
12 mi
·
14 min
·
I 430
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 70
12 mi
·
13 min
·
US 70
Exit 129B
Toward I 30 West: Texarkana
Use the slight right lane.
10
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
Toward AR 5, AR 35: Benton
11
Turn straight onto AR 5
0.4 mi
·
37 sec
·
I-30 Frontage Road
12
Turn slight right onto AR 5
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
Old Hot Springs Highway
13
Turn left onto AR 35
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
AR 35
14
Turn right onto East Sevier Street
383 ft
·
14 sec
·
East Sevier Street
15
Turn right onto North Main Street
14 ft
·
0 sec
·
North Main Street
16
Arrive at destination
North Main Street
Trip Plan
Because this is a short 1-hour and 15-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule rather than worrying about strict timing. Since there are no mandatory stops scheduled, you can easily tackle the entire 69 miles in one sitting without fatigue. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Morrilton to ensure you stay within your $11 estimated budget for the trip. If you prefer to avoid the heaviest traffic, try to schedule your departure outside of standard rush-hour windows when I-430 may be busier. Remember that since the route is almost entirely highway-based, maintaining a steady speed will help you maximize your fuel efficiency throughout the drive.
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 34.5 miles from Morrilton, AR, or about 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 40.3 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 69 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 34.5 miles or 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 3m
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 Morrilton, 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 Morrilton, AR
This is one driving day of about 69 miles and 1h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Morrilton, 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 I 40 for about 40.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 34.5 mi from Morrilton, AR · 36m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
35 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 69 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 34.5 miles from Morrilton, 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
$10.55 one way
$21.10 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
24 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $11.57 | $23.14 |
| premium | $4.61 | $12.52 | $25.05 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $15.33 | $30.66 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 20.7 | 0 | $7.24 | $3.31 |
| Efficient EV | 17.3 | 0 | $6.04 | $2.76 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 27.6 | 0 | $9.66 | $4.42 |
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 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
Benton, AR
Afternoon in Benton on Sunday
Local time
3:41 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
21 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
1h 15m 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 Morrilton, AR to Benton, AR covers 69 miles and takes about 1h 15m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, I 430, US 70. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 34.5 miles from Morrilton, AR. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $10.55 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 69 miles you will encounter 9 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: at 1.9 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 42.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 55.1 miles (US 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Morrilton, AR to Benton, AR does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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