The drive from Arkadelphia, AR to Fort Smith, AR covers 161.1 miles and takes about 3h 18m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 71, Albert Pike Road, US 270 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 56 miles on US 71.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $22.80 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
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
80.5 miles from Arkadelphia, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 36m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 18m. Total distance: 161.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from Arkadelphia, AR to Fort Smith, AR covers 161.1 miles and takes about 3h 18m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 71 is the longest continuous segment at about 56 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near US 67; AR 7; AR 8; AR 51 / North 10th Street.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 18m drive. You will face about 13 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (US 67; AR 7; AR 8; AR 51 / North 10th Street): Navigation decision point; at 36.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 36.4 miles (US 270B / Albert Pike Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|US 67; AR 7; AR 8; AR 51 / North 10th Street
Turn right onto US 67; AR 7; AR 8; AR 51 / North 10th Street
Navigation decision point
4
36.3 mi into trip|~44m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
36.4 mi into trip|~45m in|US 270B / Albert Pike Road
Turn sharp left onto US 270B / Albert Pike Road
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
4
100.7 mi into trip|~2h 1m in|US 71
At end of road, turn right onto US 71
Navigation decision point
4
155.1 mi into trip|~3h 7m in|US 71
Take the exit onto US 71 toward 540 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward 540 North
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 71
56 mi
1h 8m
Albert Pike Road
32.5 mi
37m
US 270
31.7 mi
39m
Valley Street
26.8 mi
30m
North 10th Street
3.8 mi
5m
Doctor Martin Luther King, Junior Expressway
3.7 mi
3m
Old Greenwood Road
2.3 mi
4m
Higdon Ferry Road
1.6 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
US 71
— 56 mi, about 1h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arkadelphia, AR and Fort Smith, AR.
1
Start on US 67; AR 7; AR 8; AR 51
0.2 mi·21 sec·Caddo Street
2
Turn right onto US 67; AR 7; AR 8; AR 51
3.8 mi·5 min·North 10th Street
3
Continue on US 67; AR 7
27 mi·30 min·Valley Street
4
Turn left onto AR 88
1.6 mi·3 min·Higdon Ferry Road
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·34 sec
6
Merge onto US 70; US 270
3.7 mi·3 min·Doctor Martin Luther King, Junior Expressway
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·28 sec
8
Turn sharp left onto US 270B
33 mi·37 min·Albert Pike Road
9
Continue on US 270; AR 27
32 mi·39 min·US 270; AR 27
10
At end of road, turn right onto US 71
54 mi·1 hr 6 min·US 71
11
Take the exit onto US 71
1.6 mi·2 min·US 71
Toward 540 North
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·37 sec
Toward Greenwood Road
13
Turn left onto AR 45
2.1 mi·3 min·Old Greenwood Road
14
Continue on South 31st Street
0.5 mi·54 sec·South 31st Street
15
Continue on Old Greenwood Road
0.2 mi·27 sec·Old Greenwood Road
16
Turn left onto AR 22
0.3 mi·45 sec·Rogers Avenue
17
Turn right onto North Greenwood Avenue
0.7 mi·1 min·North Greenwood Avenue
18
Turn right onto Grand Avenue
0.3 mi·27 sec·Grand Avenue
19
Arrive at destination
Grand Avenue
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 80.5 miles from Arkadelphia, AR, or about 1h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 56 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 35 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80.5 miles or 1h 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fort Smith, AR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Arkadelphia, 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 Arkadelphia, AR
This is one driving day of about 161.1 miles and 3h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Arkadelphia, AR.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 71 for about 56 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 80.5 mi from Arkadelphia, AR
· 1h 36m into the drive
4.1 mi from route
~10 min detour
$10 to $20
mile 161.1
Fort Smith, Arkansas
Hours: 6 am–3 pm
+14796464309
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Hot Springs National Park
National Park
Hot Springs National Park has a rich cultural past. The grand architecture of our historic bathhouses is equally matched by the natural curiosities that have been drawing people here for hundreds of y...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 33.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.80 one way
$45.61 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg53 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$25.03
$50.07
premium
$4.56
$27.10
$54.21
diesel
$5.61
$33.34
$66.68
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
7 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Southwest Chrysler - AR
Arkadelphia, AR
EVGATEWAY
2 DCFC
Gregg Orr Cadillac Of Hot Springs
Hot Springs, AR
EV Connect
2 DCFC
Orr Cadillac
Fort Smith, AR
EV Connect
2 DCFC
Harry Robinson Buick-GMC
FORT SMITH, AR
EV Connect
2 DCFC
ZAP HELIOS ZAP LLC
Hot Springs, AR
ChargePoint Network
1 DCFC
FRANKLINS 3-4 FRANKLIN HS2
Hot Springs, AR
ChargePoint Network
1 DCFC
FRANKLINS 3-4 FRANKLIN HS1
Hot Springs, AR
ChargePoint Network
1 DCFC
EV Connect: 3
ChargePoint Network: 3
EVGATEWAY: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
48.3
0
$16.92
$7.73
Efficient EV
40.3
0
$14.10
$6.44
EV Truck/SUV
64.4
0
$22.55
$10.31
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Arkadelphia, AR
Afternoon
in Arkadelphia on Friday
Local time
3:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Fort Smith, AR
Afternoon
in Fort Smith on Friday
Local time
3:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
74°F
Murfreesboro, AR
81 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
2 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
3h 18m 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 Arkadelphia, AR to Fort Smith, AR covers 161.1 miles and takes about 3h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 71, Albert Pike Road, US 270. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 80.5 miles from Arkadelphia, AR. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $24.33 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 3h 18m drive. You will face about 13 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (US 67; AR 7; AR 8; AR 51 / North 10th Street): Navigation decision point; at 36.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 36.4 miles (US 270B / Albert Pike Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach.
The route from Arkadelphia, AR to Fort Smith, AR does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
