Relocating to Northwest Arkansas? Will You Be Traveling Frequently?

By: Jen Freeman
Principal Broker, Encompass Real Estate
Published July 2, 2026

In my last blog, we discussed "geography" and the importance of understanding that Northwest Arkansas is made up of several communities that have gradually grown together over the years. We also talked about how some relocators experience buyer's remorse because they become too focused on moving to the city where their office is located instead of asking themselves some really important questions that could help guide them to a home purchase they can truly feel confident in.

Today, I want to focus on one of those important questions you should ask yourself before relocating and purchasing your Northwest Arkansas home: Will you be traveling frequently?

I ask this because our airport, Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA), continues to grow due to increasing demand. According to FareFlightNWA.org, passenger traffic through May has increased 5.9% over last year. They also note that much of this growth is through legacy airlines, which points toward continued corporate travel. Being home to the headquarters of Walmart, Tyson Foods, and J.B. Hunt, along with hundreds of supplier and vendor offices, it's reasonable to believe that much of this business travel is generated by our region's strong corporate presence. The Northwest Arkansas Council and the University of Arkansas also attribute much of our region's continued growth to "strong job creation and a diverse economy." If your answer to this question is "yes," then I encourage you to consider some of the smaller communities surrounding the airport.

This would include Cave Springs, Highfill, Vaughn, and Centerton. All of these communities offer convenient access to the airport while still providing relatively short commutes to the three major corporate headquarters mentioned above.

Highfill

The airport itself is located in Highfill, so let's start there.

Highfill is home to some of the most beautiful farmland in Northwest Arkansas. I remember riding with my mother and brothers on our way from Centerton to Siloam Springs when I was a young child. As we drove just west of where the airport sits today, my brother commented that he thought the Garden of Eden must be located in Highfill. Of course, that brought a chuckle from my mother, but it also inspired me to really take in the view. To this day, I still remember just how beautiful it was.

If you prefer larger lots, more privacy, and a little room to spread out, Highfill is a wonderful place to consider.

According to the Arkansas Economic Development Institute, Highfill experienced the fastest population growth of any Arkansas town with at least 1,000 residents between 2024 and 2025, growing by 30.6%. Savannah Park, Highfill's newest subdivision, offers charming homes with many of today's most sought-after upgrades. Current and pending listings generally fall within the average home price range for Northwest Arkansas while offering homes under 2,000 square feet.

Typical drive times from the heart of Highfill include:

• 7 minutes or less to Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA)
• 18–22 minutes to Walmart's Home Office
• 20–25 minutes to J.B. Hunt Headquarters
• 30–35 minutes to Tyson Foods Headquarters

Of course, please understand that Northwest Arkansas is experiencing growing pains, and our infrastructure is still working to catch up with our incredible growth. Highway 12 and Highway 264 are the primary roads serving Highfill. These are country roads that were once traveled mostly by local residents, farmers, and those simply enjoying the scenic route. My recommendation? Give yourself a little extra time, sit back, and enjoy the scenery.

Cave Springs

Cave Springs is probably one of the most centrally located communities in Northwest Arkansas. It offers larger homes, spacious lots, and beautiful custom-built properties. Many of its neighborhoods have a different feel than a traditional subdivision. Home prices are among the highest in the region, but many buyers are willing to pay a premium for larger homes, larger lots, custom architecture, and a centrally located community.

Typical drive times from Cave Springs include:

• Approximately 8–10 minutes to Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA)
• 15–20 minutes to Walmart's Home Office
• 10–15 minutes to J.B. Hunt Headquarters
• 20–25 minutes to Tyson Foods Headquarters

These commute times are possible because Cave Springs sits just a hop and a jump from Interstate 49, providing convenient access north and south through Bentonville, Rogers, Springdale, and Fayetteville. It's easy to see why so many buyers are drawn to this community. You know us Realtors... we always say, "Location, location, location!"

Vaughn and Centerton

The final area I'd recommend considering if you travel frequently is the Vaughn/Centerton area. I'm grouping these together because Vaughn connects to the southern side of Centerton.

Centerton has been growing steadily for years and has long been connected to Bentonville. In fact, I spent much of my childhood in Centerton while attending Bentonville schools. Today, Centerton is home to Bentonville West High School and the Wolverines, while Bentonville now has two high schools serving the district.

This area offers a wide variety of housing options, from affordable neighborhoods to upscale homes in both newer and established subdivisions. Located north of the airport along Highway 12, homes on the Vaughn side of Centerton can often reach the airport in approximately 5–10 minutes.

Typical drive times include:

• 20–25 minutes to Walmart's Home Office
• 20–30 minutes to J.B. Hunt Headquarters
• 30–35 minutes to Tyson Foods Headquarters

One word of caution: this side of the airport can experience some of the heaviest traffic delays because many commuters are traveling toward Bentonville, one of the busiest employment centers in our metropolitan area.

One of the biggest messages I hope you'll take away from this series is not to assume that the city where you work is automatically the best place for you to live. Just because your office has a Bentonville address doesn't necessarily mean a Bentonville address will provide the shortest commute—or the lifestyle you're hoping for. Depending on where your office is located and where you choose to live, you may actually have a similar commute, or even a shorter one, from neighboring communities.

Every buyer's priorities are different. For some, being close to the airport may save hours of travel each month. For others, larger lots, custom homes, excellent schools, outdoor recreation, or proximity to family may matter much more. The important thing is to identify what matters most to you before narrowing your search to a single zip code.

My hope is that this series gives you more than information about Northwest Arkansas. I hope it gives you the confidence to ask the right questions, explore the communities that best fit your lifestyle, and make a decision you'll be happy with for years to come.

At Encompass Real Estate, we believe real estate is about so much more than buying a house. It's about finding the right place to build your life, create memories, and establish a legacy for generations to come. That's why we're committed to providing trusted guidance, building lasting relationships, and helping our clients make confident real estate decisions that create generational opportunity.