How far is New Caledonia, AR from Van Buren, AR?
The driving distance from New Caledonia, AR to Van Buren, AR is about 280.5 miles (451.4 km), with a travel time of about 05h 14m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 190.5 miles (306.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 28m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 05h 14m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
City in Arkansas, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between New Caledonia and Van Buren.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New Caledonia and Van Buren.
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1
Start on Caledonia Road
1.8 mi · 7 min · Caledonia Road
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2
At the end of the road, turn right onto Junction City Highway
9 mi · 10 min · Junction City Highway
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3
Continue on Barnett Drive
1377 ft · 18 sec · Barnett Drive
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4
Continue on Junction City Highway
6.1 mi · 7 min · Junction City Highway
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5
Take the exit slight right toward US 167 North, US 167B South: Fordyce, Little Rock
2133 ft · 40 sec
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6
Continue on Calion Highway
9.8 mi · 12 min · Calion Highway
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7
Merge slight left onto Lee Street
35.7 mi · 43 min · Lee Street
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8
Turn left
36.2 mi · 44 min
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9
Continue on Sheridan Bypass
17.9 mi · 21 min · Sheridan Bypass
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 530 North, US 65 North, US 167 North: Little Rock
14.7 mi · 17 min
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West, US 65 North, AR 107 North: Conway, Fort Smith
1461 ft · 36 sec
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12
Keep slight left
145.4 mi · 2 hr 27 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 540 South, US 71 South: Fort Smith
1.4 km · 1 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward US 64 West: Van Buren
2159 ft · 52 sec
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15
Turn straight onto Alma Highway
1.6 km · 2 min · Alma Highway
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16
Continue on Main Street
3207 ft · 58 sec · Main Street
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17
Continue on East Main Street
60 m · 4 sec · East Main Street
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between New Caledonia and Van Buren.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 40 West
Keep slight left
145 mi · 02h 27m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Sunny leaving New Caledonia and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Van Buren.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from New Caledonia to Van Buren?
The road trip is about 280.5 miles (451.4 km) and usually takes 05h 14m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Maumelle is a useful midpoint, sitting about 140.2 miles from New Caledonia and 140.3 miles from Van Buren.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 190.5 miles (306.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 90 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:32 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.08 one way or $78.15 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 88 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around New Caledonia and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Van Buren.
Stop Ideas Near Maumelle
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Maumelle.
Little Rock Union Station
Malvern station
Arkadelphia station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between New Caledonia and Van Buren. Straight-line distance: 190.49 mi (306.57 km).
#1 New Caledonia
A town located in Clay County, Arkansas.
| Population | 10 |
| Coordinates | 33.0551400, -92.6676600 |
| Altitude | 56 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Van Buren
8th president of the United States (1782-1862)
| Population | 23,812 |
| Coordinates | 35.4367600, -94.3482700 |
| Altitude | 126 |
| Country | United States |
End: Van Buren (-94.34827, 35.43676)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 451 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 20m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 00m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 36m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 40m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 00m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 29m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.95 | $39.08 | $78.15 |
| Mid-grade | $4.44 | $43.97 | $87.93 |
| Premium | $4.83 | $47.77 | $95.54 |
| Diesel | $5.92 | $58.59 | $117.18 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026