How far is Benton, AR from Alma, AR?

The driving distance from Benton, AR to Alma, AR is about 161.6 miles (260 km), with a travel time of about 02h 47m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 112 miles (180.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 35m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
161.57 mi
02h 47m
Flight
111.98 mi
180.22 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Benton.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
111.98 mi
Kilometers
180.22 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
161.57 mi
Kilometers
260.02 km
Drive Time
02h 47m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 02h 47m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Alma
Sat, Apr 18, 10:17 AM CDT
Return by in Benton
Sat, Apr 18, 1:05 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Benton
2026-04-18T07:30
Arrive Alma
Sat, Apr 18, 10:17 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 47m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:48 AM to 12:48 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
12:54 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Benton
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Atkins
AR

City in Arkansas

From Benton
80.7 mi
01h 23m
To Alma
80.8 mi
01h 23m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
75°F
Saturday

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph WSW
Destination
68°F
Saturday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Benton and Alma.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Benton and Alma.

  1. 1

    Start on North Main Street

    1125 ft · 23 sec · North Main Street

  2. 2

    Continue on Military Road

    760 ft · 20 sec · Military Road

  3. 3

    Turn left onto East Carpenter Street

    1757 ft · 35 sec · East Carpenter Street

  4. 4

    Turn straight

    596 ft · 26 sec

  5. 5

    Turn straight onto I-30 Frontage Road

    1469 ft · 29 sec · I-30 Frontage Road

  6. 6

    Take the ramp slight left

    157 m · 13 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    11.7 mi · 13 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward I 430 North, US 70: Fort Smith

    13.1 mi · 15 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Fort Smith, Oklahoma City

    1.1 km · 49 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    133.6 mi · 2 hr 14 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward US 71: Alma

    1585 ft · 39 sec

  12. 12

    Turn left onto US Highway 71 North

    2419 ft · 50 sec · US Highway 71 North

  13. 13

    Continue on Fayetteville Avenue

    137 m · 12 sec · Fayetteville Avenue

  14. 14

    Keep slight left to continue on Fayetteville Avenue

    1431 ft · 40 sec · Fayetteville Avenue

  15. 15

    Continue on Fayetteville Avenue

    1006 ft · 28 sec · Fayetteville Avenue

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Fayetteville Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Benton and Alma.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
16 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 40 West
134 mi · 83%
I 430 North
13.1 mi · 8%
I-30 Frontage Road
12.1 mi · 7%
Fayetteville Avenue
0.55 mi
US Highway 71 North
0.46 mi
East Carpenter Street
0.33 mi
Longest Stretch

I 40 West

Merge slight left

134 mi · 02h 14m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 47m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 36m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+49.6 mi
112 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Atkins
01h 23m from Benton
Leave By
12:54 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Benton and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Alma.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Benton to Alma?

The road trip is about 161.6 miles (260 km) and usually takes 02h 47m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Atkins is a useful midpoint, sitting about 80.7 miles from Benton and 80.8 miles from Alma.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 112 miles (180.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 49.6 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:54 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.59 one way or $43.17 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Benton and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Alma.

Stop Ideas Near Atkins

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Atkins, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Atkins.

RAIL

Little Rock Union Station

81 mi away
1400 West Markham Street
RAIL

Malvern station

99 mi away
200 East First St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Benton and Alma. Straight-line distance: 111.98 mi (180.22 km).

Benton

#1 Benton

City in Arkansas, USA

Population37,214
Coordinates34.5645400, -92.5868300
Altitude124
CountryUnited States
Alma

#2 Alma

City in Arkansas, USA

Population5,887
Coordinates35.4778700, -94.2218800
Altitude132
CountryUnited States
Start: Benton (-92.58683, 34.56454)
End: Alma (-94.22188, 35.47787)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 260 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 23m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 02m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 13m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 41m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 18m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 00m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.7 gal
21.58 L · about $21.59
Round trip
$43.17
11.4 gal · 43.16 L
Estimated CO2
50.7 kg one way
Round trip: 101.3 kg / 223 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $21.59 $43.17
Mid-grade $4.26 $24.28 $48.55
Premium $4.63 $26.36 $52.73
Diesel $5.42 $30.87 $61.73

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Arkansas · Apr 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Benton and Alma. The current time is 07:30:08.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.