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Trip from New Caledonia, AR to Monticello, AR

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

1h 56m

Distance

78.6 mi

126 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$12

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 26 min
4 AM
1h 48m ★
6 AM
1h 57m
8 AM
2h 14m
10 AM
2h 3m
12 PM
2h 1m
3 PM
2h 4m
5 PM
2h 13m
8 PM
1h 52m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown New Caledonia, AR, AR

New Caledonia, AR

Dominik Ruhl

city in and county seat of Drew County, Arkansas, United States

Monticello, AR

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from New Caledonia, AR to Monticello, AR covers 78.6 miles and takes about 1h 56m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Moro Bay Highway, US 278, Junction City Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 44.1 miles on Moro Bay Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $11.87 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

39.3 miles from New Caledonia, AR

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 58m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 56m. Total distance: 78.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (23%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.

Drive Character

Expect a 1h 56m drive with frequent turns across 78.6 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 11 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Moro Bay Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 44.1 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 1.8 miles in near US 63; US 167 / Junction City Highway.

Driving Effort 1/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The drive from New Caledonia, AR to Monticello, AR is easy. At 1h 56m with 23% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

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 14.1 miles (US 63): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 14.3 miles (US 63 / East Main Street): Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

4 of 4 key points

These 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

5
14.1 mi into trip | ~20m in | US 63

Take the exit onto US 63 toward US 63 North: Warren

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 16 Toward US 63 North: Warren
5
14.3 mi into trip | ~21m in | US 63 / East Main Street

Turn right onto US 63 / East Main Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left / right lanes.
3
60.6 mi into trip | ~1h 30m in | US 278

Turn right onto US 278

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Moro Bay Highway 44.1 mi 1h 5m
US 278 18 mi 26m
Junction City Highway 12 mi 13m
Caledonia Road 1.8 mi 6m
East Main Street 1.2 mi 1m
Moro Bay Road 1 mi 1m
Barnett Drive 0.3 mi <1m
US 63 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Moro Bay Highway — 44.1 mi, about 1h 5m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between New Caledonia, AR and Monticello, 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

3.1 mi · 3 min · Junction City Highway
5

Take the exit onto US 63

0.2 mi · 22 sec · US 63
Exit 16 Toward US 63 North: Warren
6

Turn right onto US 63

1.2 mi · 1 min · East Main Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
7

Continue on US 63

1.0 mi · 1 min · Moro Bay Road
8

Continue on US 63

44 mi · 1 hr 5 min · Moro Bay Highway
9

Turn right onto US 278

2.5 mi · 3 min · US 278
10

Turn slight right onto US 278

15 mi · 23 min · US 278
11

Arrive at destination

US 278; Hwy 83

Trip Plan

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 39.3 miles from New Caledonia, AR, or about 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 44.1 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 17 miles or 25m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 39.3 miles or 58m 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 39m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Monticello, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from New Caledonia, AR

This is one driving day of about 78.6 miles and 1h 56m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from New Caledonia, AR.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Moro Bay Highway for about 44.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 39.3 mi from New Caledonia, AR · 58m into the drive

Downtown Warren, AR, AR

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Warren, AR

39 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

El Dorado, AR

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Warren, AR

Meal break

The midpoint is around 39.3 miles from New Caledonia, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Monticello, AR

The final approach into Monticello, AR usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Town House Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 11.2

El Dorado, Arkansas

Hours: 10 am–2 pm

+18708634519

Laredo Grill Restaurant

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 11.2

El Dorado, Arkansas

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+18708751722

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$11.87 one way

$23.74 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 28 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $13.03 $26.06
premium $4.56 $14.11 $28.22
diesel $5.61 $17.35 $34.71

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$12

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$37–$62

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 27.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 23.6 0 $8.25 $3.77
Efficient EV 19.7 0 $6.88 $3.14
EV Truck/SUV 31.4 0 $11.00 $5.03

Gas CO2

28 kg

EV CO2

9 kg (68% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

New Caledonia, AR

Evening in New Caledonia on Thursday

Local time

8:29 PM

CDT

Current temp

76°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Monticello, AR

Evening in Monticello on Thursday

Local time

8:29 PM

CDT

Current temp

78°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

77°F

Warren, AR

39 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

2 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 56m 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 New Caledonia, AR to Monticello, AR covers 78.6 miles and takes about 1h 56m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Moro Bay Highway, US 278, Junction City Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 39.3 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 $11.87 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.
The drive from New Caledonia, AR to Monticello, AR is easy. At 1h 56m with 23% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.8 miles (US 63; US 167 / Junction City Highway): Navigation decision point; at 14.1 miles (US 63): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 14.3 miles (US 63 / East Main Street): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from New Caledonia, AR to Monticello, AR does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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