Origin
New Caledonia, AR
Evening in New Caledonia on Sunday
Local time
6:20 PM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from New Caledonia, AR to Barling, AR
Drive Time
5h 18m
Distance
251.2 mi
404 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 5m
★
6 AM
5h 18m
8 AM
5h 45m
10 AM
5h 28m
12 PM
5h 25m
3 PM
5h 29m
5 PM
5h 44m
8 PM
5h 10m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
New Caledonia, AR
Dominik Ruhl
Barling, AR
www.kaboompics.com
Trip Overview
Spanning 251.2 miles across Arkansas, this trip from New Caledonia to Barling takes approximately 5 hours and 18 minutes to complete. Because the route is categorized as a turn-heavy local drive, you should plan on this being a full day of travel rather than a quick commute. You can expect to spend about $34 on fuel, making it a relatively affordable excursion. Since the entire journey remains within the Southeast region of Arkansas, you won't experience drastic shifts in geography, but the winding nature of the roads requires your full attention. It is perfectly manageable as a one-day trip, though you will want to account for the necessary time behind the wheel.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
125.6 miles from New Caledonia, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 48m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a departure from the typical interstate experience, as this route features zero highway miles. Instead, you will navigate a series of local connectors, relying on Junction City Highway, Barnett Drive, and South Adams Avenue to reach your destination. The driving profile is distinctly turn-heavy, requiring you to stay alert through constant adjustments rather than settling into a cruise-control rhythm. Without any long, uninterrupted highway stretches, the road demands a more engaged, hands-on driving style. This path is ideal if you prefer local infrastructure over the monotony of high-speed transit, though it will certainly keep you busy at the wheel.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 21 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 49.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1.8 miles in near US 63; US 167 / Junction City Highway.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 5h 18m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.8 miles (US 63; US 167 / Junction City Highway): Navigation decision point; at 45.4 miles (US 79B; AR 7 / Van Buren Street Northeast): Navigation decision point; at 46.5 miles (AR 7): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1.8 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
US 63; US 167 / Junction City Highway
At end of road, turn right onto US 63; US 167 / Junction City Highway
Navigation decision point
4
45.4 mi into trip
|
~56m in
|
US 79B; AR 7 / Van Buren Street Northeast
Turn right onto US 79B; AR 7 / Van Buren Street Northeast
Navigation decision point
4
46.5 mi into trip
|
~58m in
|
AR 7
Turn left onto AR 7
Navigation decision point
4
71.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 36m in
|
AR 7
At end of road, turn left onto AR 7
Navigation decision point
5
130.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 54m in
|
US 270B / Albert Pike Road
Turn sharp left onto US 270B / Albert Pike Road
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 71 | 49.5 mi | 58m |
| AR 7 | 47.5 mi | 1h 11m |
| Junction City Highway | 41.9 mi | 47m |
| Albert Pike Road | 32.5 mi | 37m |
| US 270 | 31.7 mi | 39m |
| Valley Street | 26.8 mi | 30m |
| AR 549 | 5.7 mi | 6m |
| North 10th Street | 3.8 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
US 71
— 49.5 mi, about 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New Caledonia, AR and Barling, AR.
1
Start on Caledonia Road
1.8 mi
·
6 min
·
Caledonia Road
2
At end of road, turn right onto US 63; US 167
9.0 mi
·
10 min
·
Junction City Highway
3
Continue on US 63; US 167; AR 7
0.3 mi
·
18 sec
·
Barnett Drive
4
Continue on US 63; US 167; AR 7
33 mi
·
37 min
·
Junction City Highway
5
Continue on AR 7
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
South Adams Avenue
6
Turn right onto US 79B; AR 7
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Van Buren Street Northeast
7
Turn left onto AR 7
25 mi
·
37 min
·
AR 7
8
At end of road, turn left onto AR 7
22 mi
·
33 min
·
AR 7
9
Turn right onto US 67; AR 7; AR 8; AR 51
3.8 mi
·
5 min
·
North 10th Street
10
Continue on US 67; AR 7
27 mi
·
30 min
·
Valley Street
11
Turn left onto AR 88
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Higdon Ferry Road
12
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
13
Merge onto US 70; US 270
3.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Doctor Martin Luther King, Junior Expressway
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
28 sec
15
Turn sharp left onto US 270B
33 mi
·
37 min
·
Albert Pike Road
16
Continue on US 270; AR 27
32 mi
·
39 min
·
US 270; AR 27
17
At end of road, turn right onto US 71
49 mi
·
58 min
·
US 71
18
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward AR 549 North
19
Continue on AR 549
5.7 mi
·
6 min
·
AR 549
20
Turn right onto AR 22
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Fort Street
21
Arrive at destination
AR 22
Trip Plan
Given the technical nature of these local roads, aim to depart early in the morning to ensure you reach Barling before sunset. You are limited to just one recommended stop, so pace yourself carefully to avoid fatigue during the five-hour trek. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $34 estimate assumes a steady flow and could fluctuate depending on local pricing along your specific route. Since the drive is quite hands-on, take advantage of your scheduled stop to stretch and reset before tackling the remaining turns. Staying flexible with your timing is a major advantage here, so don't hesitate to pull over if you need a break from the winding local lanes.
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 125.6 miles from New Caledonia, AR, or about 2h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 49.5 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 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 125.6 miles or 2h 48m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Barling, AR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving New Caledonia, 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 New Caledonia, AR
This is one driving day of about 251.2 miles and 5h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from New Caledonia, 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 49.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 125.6 mi from New Caledonia, AR · 2h 48m 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 125.6 miles from New Caledonia, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Barling, AR
The final approach into Barling, 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 Barling, 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
$38.40 one way
$76.80 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
88 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $42.12 | $84.24 |
| premium | $4.61 | $45.59 | $91.18 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $55.81 | $111.62 |
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: 87.9 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 | 75.4 | 0 | $26.38 | $12.06 |
| Efficient EV | 62.8 | 0 | $21.98 | $10.05 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 100.5 | 1 | $35.17 | $16.08 |
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
Barling, AR
Evening in Barling on Sunday
Local time
6:20 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°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
15 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
5h 18m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from New Caledonia, AR to Barling, AR covers 251.2 miles and takes about 5h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 71, AR 7, Junction City Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 125.6 miles from New Caledonia, AR. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $38.40 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a straightforward 5h 18m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.8 miles (US 63; US 167 / Junction City Highway): Navigation decision point; at 45.4 miles (US 79B; AR 7 / Van Buren Street Northeast): Navigation decision point; at 46.5 miles (AR 7): Navigation decision point.
The route from New Caledonia, AR to Barling, AR does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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