The best routes, convenient stops and clean places to stay

Centrally located and full of charm, Benton is ready to welcome you. First settled in 1833 and officially chartered in 1836, Benton proudly carries the name of Missouri Senator Thomas Hart Benton. As the county seat of Saline County and a growing suburb of Little Rock, the city has seen impressive growth—from a population of 30,681 in 2019 to an estimated 38,088 in 2024.

How to Get Here

If you’re traveling along I-30, you won’t miss Benton, AR. If you’re coming from Little Rock, AR, take I-30 westbound towards Benton. The first Benton exit you will hit is Exit 121: Alcoa Road. This exit leads you to big name shops like TJ Max, Home Goods, Kohl’s, Target, Academy Sports + Outdoors and much more. Several quick service and dine-in restaurants are conveniently located at this exit, like Panda Express, Taco Bueno, Subway, Slim Chickens, McDonald’s, Zaxby’s, Starbucks Tacos 4 Life, Newk’s, La Bamba La Bamba – Restaurant & Cantina, Chicken Salad Chick, Texas Roadhouse, All Aboard, Hideaway Pizza, Purple Cow, Crumble Cookies and much more. This exit will also take you to the Arkansas Heart Hospital and the Encore Medical Clinic.

If you continue along I-30, the next exit in Benton is Exit 118: Congo Road. This exit provides travelers with quick access to Military Road, a stretch of road that runs through the town with endless eating options and attractions. Several staples include Dairy Queen, Burger King, Wendy’s, KFC, Taco Bell, Sonic, Pizza Hut, Rib Crib, 7Brew, Mama B’s Coffee and Tea, McDonald’s, and more.

The next exit you will hit as you continue along I-30 from Little Rock is 117: Arkansas 35 Exit. This exit provides access to the charming downtown Benton and surrounding areas. After taking this exit, you are only minutes away from the quaint, walkable downtown area. This area is full of unique shops, restaurants, and murals all within a few blocks of each other. Restaurants along this exit include Olive Garden, Verona Italian, Baja Grill, Revival: Beer Garden and Restaurant, Rober, Little Italy, Starbucks, Chepe’s Mexican Grill, The Mighty Crab, Rock-N-Roll Sushi and more. This exit is also the quickest access to Saline Memorial Hospital and the Benton Event Center.

As you continue along I-30 the next exit you will hit is Exit at 116 at South Street. If you have furry friends that need to stretch their paws, take this exit and visit the Riverside Dog Park, just minutes off the interstate at 924 Fairfield Road. Nearby the dog park is also a 1-mile loop walking trail around scenic Sunset Lake, and the River Center.

Then finally Exit 114 in Benton is the interchange for U.S. Route 67 (US-67) and Interstate 30 (I-30). It's also the approved location for a new Buc-ee’s travel center, set to open early fall of 2026. With the construction of Buc-ee’s, several restaurants like Chuy’s Tex Mex and Longhorn Steakhouse have already announced their plans to break ground. Follow our social media pages at Discover Benton for more announcements soon.

What About Flights From Benton?

The closest airport to Benton is the Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport in Little Rock. It’s about a twenty to twenty-five minute drive directly down I-30. Catch an uber and you will be in Benton in no time. The Bill and Hillary Clinton Airport in Little Rock offers direct flights to several domestic destinations like Dallas, Chicago, Washington D.C., New York City, Atlanta, Denver, Houston, Las Vegas and Orlando.

There is also the Saline County Regional Airport, located at 1100 Hill Farm Road in Bryant, AR, about 10-15 minutes from Benton. This airport is 100% self-sufficient with 48 T-Hangers, 10 private hangers and 3 large corporate hangers. The airport features a 5001 x 100 ft. runway with a full parallel taxiway, ILS approach, RNAV approaches, and medium intensity runway lights, including strobing runway end identifier lights. KSUZ offers 24-hour self-serve 100LL AV Gas and Jet-A with anti-icing additives at competitive prices. These fuels are available via fuel truck Monday - Friday. The airport does not charge ramp fees or landing fees and allows overnight stays for transient aircraft free of charge.

Where Should I Stay in Benton?

If you’re looking for clean, affordable, spacious rooms, the Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott in Benton is a great choice. This hotel is located at 17320 I-30 in Benton, right off the interstate and neighbors with the Benton Event Center. With an indoor pool, fitness center, hotel bar, meeting space and free hot breakfast, this spot is hard to beat. The Shoppes of Benton and Riverside Park are within minutes of this hotel, and Cinemark Tinseltown movie theater is located just next door. This conveniently located hotel is a top choice for all travelers. View pricing information and other details on their website here.

Need somewhere for the pets to stay? The Best Western Inn in Benton is pet-friendly and ready to welcome you. Located just off the interstate at 17036 I-30 in Benton, this hotel has 65 rooms with many amenities like laundry facilities, free parking, laptop-friendly workspaces and more. Check out room rates and additional details on their website here.

The Residence Inn by Marriott recently announced their plans to break ground in Benton. This extended-stay hotel will be located at 1615 Sharon Road. It will be a four-story hotel with 128 rooms and will include an outdoor pool. Stay tuned for more updates on this development.

There are also confirmed plans for a 99-room Hilton brand hotel coming to a new 17-acre development in Benton next to Encore Medical Center. This development will bring new retail stores, restaurants and more. Stay tuned for further details.

Benton is on the move and attracts visitors from all over the state and the region. We want to make it easy for you to find hotels, restaurants and unique, pleasant experiences. Looking for other Benton resources? Contact our team at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we will be glad to help you.