Origin
Beebe, AR
Afternoon in Beebe on Friday
Local time
3:41 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Beebe, AR to Fort Smith, AR
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 57m
Distance
162.6 mi
262 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 47m
★
6 AM
2h 58m
8 AM
3h 20m
10 AM
3h 6m
12 PM
3h 4m
3 PM
3h 7m
5 PM
3h 19m
8 PM
2h 51m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Beebe, AR
Tima Miroshnichenko
Trip Overview
The drive from Beebe, AR to Fort Smith, AR covers 162.6 miles and takes about 2h 57m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 40, US 64, US 71 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 118.6 miles on I 40. At current regular gas prices, budget about $24.56 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
81.3 miles from Beebe, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 33m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 57m. Total distance: 162.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 57m highway drive covering 162.6 miles, with most of the trip on I 40 and US 64. The longest continuous stretch is about 118.6 miles on I 40.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 9 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 40 is the longest continuous segment at about 118.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and US 64. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 34.9 miles in.
Driving Effort
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Beebe, AR to Fort Smith, AR is easy. At 2h 57m with 97% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 34.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 35.3 miles (I 40; US 65): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 154 miles (US 71): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 5 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
3
34.9 mi into trip
|
~46m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
3
35.3 mi into trip
|
~47m in
|
I 40; US 65
Merge onto I 40; US 65
Merge point - match speed before joining
5
154 mi into trip
|
~2h 45m in
|
US 71
Take the exit onto US 71 toward I 540 South, US 71 South: Fort Smith
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 540 South, US 71 South: Fort Smith
5
160.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 53m in
Take the exit toward Grand Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 6
Toward Grand Avenue
3
160.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 54m in
|
Grand Avenue
Turn right onto Grand Avenue
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 118.6 mi | 1h 58m |
| US 64 | 32.5 mi | 41m |
| US 71 | 6.5 mi | 7m |
| Grand Avenue | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| East Center Street | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| I 57 Business | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 118.6 mi, about 1h 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Beebe, AR and Fort Smith, AR.
1
Start on East Center Street
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
East Center Street
2
Continue on I 57 Business
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
I 57 Business
3
Continue on US 64
32 mi
·
41 min
·
US 64
4
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
5
Merge onto I 40; US 65
119 mi
·
1 hr 58 min
·
I 40; US 65
6
Take the exit onto US 71
6.5 mi
·
7 min
·
US 71
Toward I 540 South, US 71 South: Fort Smith
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 6
Toward Grand Avenue
8
Turn right onto Grand Avenue
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Grand Avenue
9
Arrive at destination
Grand Avenue
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 81.3 miles from Beebe, AR, or about 1h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 118.6 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 36 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 81.3 miles or 1h 33m 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 25m
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 Beebe, 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 Beebe, AR
This is one driving day of about 162.6 miles and 2h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Beebe, 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 I 40 for about 118.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 81.3 mi from Beebe, AR · 1h 33m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
81 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 81.3 miles from Beebe, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 118.6 miles.
Arriving in Fort Smith, AR
The final approach into Fort Smith, AR usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Fort Smith, AR.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.56 one way
$49.11 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
57 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $26.96 | $53.91 |
| premium | $4.56 | $29.18 | $58.37 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $35.90 | $71.80 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 48.8 | 0 | $17.07 | $7.80 |
| Efficient EV | 40.7 | 0 | $14.23 | $6.50 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 65 | 0 | $22.76 | $10.41 |
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Fort Smith, AR
Afternoon in Fort Smith on Friday
Local time
3:41 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 57m 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 Beebe, AR to Fort Smith, AR covers 162.6 miles and takes about 2h 57m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, US 64, US 71. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 81.3 miles from Beebe, AR. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $24.56 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
The drive from Beebe, AR to Fort Smith, AR is easy. At 2h 57m with 97% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 34.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 35.3 miles (I 40; US 65): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 154 miles (US 71): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Beebe, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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