Origin
Van Buren, AR
Afternoon in Van Buren on Sunday
Local time
3:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Van Buren, AR to Bella Vista, AR
Drive Time
1h 37m
Distance
85.9 mi
138 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 30m
★
6 AM
1h 37m
8 AM
1h 52m
10 AM
1h 42m
12 PM
1h 41m
3 PM
1h 43m
5 PM
1h 51m
8 PM
1h 33m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bella Vista, AR
Israyosoy S.
Trip Overview
The drive from Van Buren, AR to Bella Vista, AR covers 85.9 miles and takes about 1h 37m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 49, US 71, Alma Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 71.3 miles on I 49. At current regular gas prices, budget about $13.13 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.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
42.9 miles from Van Buren, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 46m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a 1h 37m highway drive covering 85.9 miles, with most of the trip on I 49 and US 71. The longest continuous stretch is about 71.3 miles on I 49.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 49 is the longest continuous segment at about 71.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 49 and US 71. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.5 miles in near US 71.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 85.9 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 2.5 miles (US 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 54.1 miles (I 49; US 62; US 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
2.5 mi into trip
|
~3m 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
7.1 mi into trip
|
~8m 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
54.1 mi into trip
|
~57m 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
79.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 24m in
|
US 71
Take the exit onto US 71
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 91
6
79.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 24m in
|
US 71
Keep slight right at fork onto US 71
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 49 | 71.3 mi | 1h 14m |
| US 71 | 9.4 mi | 12m |
| Alma Highway | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| Cooper Road | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| East Main Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| East Lancashire Boulevard | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| I 540 | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Hartsfield Lane | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 49
— 71.3 mi, about 1h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Van Buren, AR and Bella Vista, AR.
1
Start on AR 59
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Main Street
2
Continue on US 64; US 71B
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Alma Highway
3
Continue on US 64; US 71B
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
·
Alma Highway
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward I 540 North: Oklahoma City, Little Rock
5
Merge onto I 540; US 71
0.4 mi
·
26 sec
·
I 540; US 71
6
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.
7
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 49 North: Fayetteville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 49
46 mi
·
47 min
·
I 49
Use the none lane.
9
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.
10
Continue on I 49; US 71
5.7 mi
·
6 min
·
I 49; US 71
11
Take the exit onto US 71
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
US 71
Exit 91
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 71
4.6 mi
·
7 min
·
US 71
Use the right lane.
13
Turn slight right
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward Lancashire Boulevard
14
Turn left onto AR 340
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East Lancashire Boulevard
15
Turn right onto Cooper Road
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Cooper Road
16
Turn left onto Billingsley Drive
205 ft
·
11 sec
·
Billingsley Drive
17
Turn left onto Hartsfield Lane
305 ft
·
13 sec
·
Hartsfield Lane
18
Arrive at destination
Hartsfield Lane
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 42.9 miles from Van Buren, AR, or about 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 71.3 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 80 miles or 1h 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42.9 miles or 46m 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 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bella Vista, AR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Van Buren, 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 Van Buren, AR
This is one driving day of about 85.9 miles and 1h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Van Buren, 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 49 for about 71.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 42.9 mi from Van Buren, AR · 46m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
43 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 42.9 miles from Van Buren, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 49 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 71.3 miles.
Arriving in Bella Vista, AR
The final approach into Bella Vista, 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 Bella Vista, 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
$13.13 one way
$26.26 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
30 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $14.40 | $28.81 |
| premium | $4.61 | $15.59 | $31.18 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $19.08 | $38.17 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25.8 | 0 | $9.02 | $4.12 |
| Efficient EV | 21.5 | 0 | $7.52 | $3.44 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 34.4 | 0 | $12.03 | $5.50 |
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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
Bella Vista, AR
Afternoon in Bella Vista on Sunday
Local time
3:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
82°F
Anderson, MO
43 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
1h 37m 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 Van Buren, AR to Bella Vista, AR covers 85.9 miles and takes about 1h 37m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 49, US 71, Alma Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 42.9 miles from Van Buren, AR. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.13 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 is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 85.9 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 2.5 miles (US 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 54.1 miles (I 49; US 62; US 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Van Buren, AR to Bella Vista, AR does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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