The drive from Southside, AR to New Caledonia, AR covers 218.1 miles and takes about 4h 18m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 167, Batesville Boulevard, I 530 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 173.5 miles on US 167.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $32.94 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
109 miles from Southside, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 2m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 18m. Total distance: 218.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 4h 18m highway drive covering 218.1 miles, with most of the trip on US 167 and Batesville Boulevard. The longest continuous stretch is about 173.5 miles on US 167.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 11 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 167 is the longest continuous segment at about 173.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 167 and Batesville Boulevard. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 84 miles in near US 167.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 218.1 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 84 miles (US 167): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 88.9 miles (I 530; US 65; US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 98.9 miles (US 167): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
84 mi into trip|~1h 33m in|US 167
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
Toward I 30 West, US 65 South, US 67 South, US...
6
88.9 mi into trip|~1h 39m in|I 530; US 65; US 167
Keep slight left at fork onto I 530; US 65; US 167
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
98.9 mi into trip|~1h 50m in|US 167
Take the exit onto US 167 toward US 167 South: Sheridan, Fordyce, El Dorado
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward US 167 South: Sheridan, Fordyce, El Dora...
5
158.9 mi into trip|~3h 2m in|US 167
Keep slight left at fork onto US 167 toward US 167: El Dorado
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 167: El Dorado
7
200.6 mi into trip|~3h 53m in|US 167
Take the exit onto US 167 toward US 167 South, AR 7 South: El Dorado, Junction City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 167 South, AR 7 South: El Dorado, Jun...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Southside, AR and New Caledonia, AR, road signs point toward Fordyce, El Dorado and Junction City.
Fordyce
98.9 mi in|~1h 50m|via US 167
El Dorado
98.9 mi in|~1h 50m|via US 167
Junction City
200.6 mi in|~3h 53m|via US 167
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 167
173.5 mi
3h 17m
Batesville Boulevard
27.9 mi
35m
I 530
10 mi
10m
US 79
4.1 mi
6m
Caledonia Road
1.8 mi
6m
I 40
0.9 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 167
— 173.5 mi, about 3h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Southside, AR and New Caledonia, AR.
1
Start on US 167
28 mi·35 min·Batesville Boulevard
2
Take the exit onto US 167
55 mi·56 min·US 167
3
Merge onto I 40; US 167
0.9 mi·1 min·I 40; US 167
4
Take the exit onto US 167
4.9 mi·6 min·US 167
Toward I 30 West, US 65 South, US 67 South, US 167 South: Little Rock
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 530; US 65; US 167
10.0 mi·10 min·I 530; US 65; US 167
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit onto US 167
56 mi·1 hr 5 min·US 167
Toward US 167 South: Sheridan, Fordyce, El DoradoUse the straight / right lanes.
7
Turn right onto US 79; US 167
4.1 mi·6 min·US 79; US 167
8
Keep slight left at fork onto US 167
42 mi·50 min·US 167
Toward US 167: El Dorado
9
Take the exit onto US 167
16 mi·18 min·US 167
Toward US 167 South, AR 7 South: El Dorado, Junction City
10
Turn left onto Caledonia Road
1.8 mi·6 min·Caledonia Road
11
Arrive at destination
Caledonia Road
Trip Plan
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 109 miles from Southside, AR, or about 2h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 173.5 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 48 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 109 miles or 2h 2m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New Caledonia, AR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Southside, 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 Southside, AR
This is one driving day of about 218.1 miles and 4h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Southside, 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 167 for about 173.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 109 mi from Southside, AR
· 2h 2m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.94 one way
$65.88 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg76 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$36.16
$72.32
premium
$4.56
$39.15
$78.29
diesel
$5.61
$48.15
$96.31
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
65.4
0
$22.90
$10.47
Efficient EV
54.5
0
$19.08
$8.72
EV Truck/SUV
87.2
1
$30.53
$13.96
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Southside, AR
Late night
in Southside on Saturday
Local time
1:14 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
New Caledonia, AR
Late night
in New Caledonia on Saturday
Local time
1:14 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°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
2 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 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 Southside, AR to New Caledonia, AR covers 218.1 miles and takes about 4h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 167, Batesville Boulevard, I 530. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 109 miles from Southside, AR. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $32.94 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 218.1 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 84 miles (US 167): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 88.9 miles (I 530; US 65; US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 98.9 miles (US 167): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Southside, AR and New Caledonia, AR, road signs point toward Fordyce, El Dorado and Junction City.
