Origin
Blytheville, AR
Afternoon in Blytheville on Monday
Local time
1:01 PM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Blytheville, AR to Fort Smith, AR
Drive Time
5h 44m
Distance
307.6 mi
495 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$47
one way
EV Charging
None
0 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 32m
★
6 AM
5h 45m
8 AM
6h 11m
10 AM
5h 54m
12 PM
5h 52m
3 PM
5h 55m
5 PM
6h 10m
8 PM
5h 37m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Blytheville, AR
Jonathan Fuentes
Trip Overview
The drive from Blytheville, AR to Fort Smith, AR covers 307.6 miles and takes about 5h 44m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 40, I 57, Highway 18 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 $47.02 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
153.8 miles from Blytheville, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 59m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a 5h 44m highway drive covering 307.6 miles, with most of the trip on I 40 and I 57. 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 14 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 I 57. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 72 miles in.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 307.6 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 72 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 146.9 miles (US 64): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 147.3 miles (US 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
72 mi into trip
|
~1h 33m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
5
146.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 50m in
|
US 64
Take the exit onto US 64 toward US 64 West, I 57 Business North: Beebe, Conway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 64 West, I 57 Business North: Beebe,...
5
147.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 51m in
|
US 64
Keep slight right at fork onto US 64 toward US 64 West: Conway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 64 West: Conway
5
298.9 mi into trip
|
~5h 32m 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
305.5 mi into trip
|
~5h 40m in
Take the exit toward Grand Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 6
Toward Grand Avenue
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Blytheville, AR to Fort Smith, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Conway along the way.
Conway
146.9 mi in
|
~2h 50m
|
via US 64
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 118.6 mi | 1h 58m |
| I 57 | 74.5 mi | 1h 16m |
| Highway 18 | 50.8 mi | 1h 7m |
| US 64 | 33 mi | 42m |
| US 78 | 12.5 mi | 14m |
| Southwest Drive | 7.4 mi | 8m |
| US 71 | 6.5 mi | 7m |
| Grand Avenue | 1.9 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 118.6 mi, about 1h 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Blytheville, AR and Fort Smith, AR.
1
Start on US 78; AR 18
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
2
Continue on US 78; AR 18
51 mi
·
1 hr 7 min
·
Highway 18
3
Turn left onto AR 18
7.4 mi
·
8 min
·
Southwest Drive
4
Continue on US 78; AR 226
13 mi
·
14 min
·
US 78; AR 226
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
6
Merge onto I 57
75 mi
·
1 hr 16 min
·
I 57
7
Take the exit onto US 64
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
US 64
Toward US 64 West, I 57 Business North: Beebe, Conway
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 64
33 mi
·
41 min
·
US 64
Toward US 64 West: Conway
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
10
Merge onto I 40; US 65
119 mi
·
1 hr 58 min
·
I 40; US 65
11
Take the exit onto US 71
6.5 mi
·
7 min
·
US 71
Toward I 540 South, US 71 South: Fort Smith
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 6
Toward Grand Avenue
13
Turn right onto Grand Avenue
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Grand Avenue
14
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 153.8 miles from Blytheville, AR, or about 2h 59m 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 80 miles or 1h 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 153.8 miles or 2h 59m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 46m
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 Blytheville, 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 Blytheville, AR
This is one driving day of about 307.6 miles and 5h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Blytheville, 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 153.8 mi from Blytheville, AR · 2h 59m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
154 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 153.8 miles from Blytheville, 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
$47.02 one way
$94.05 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
108 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $51.58 | $103.15 |
| premium | $4.61 | $55.83 | $111.66 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $68.34 | $136.68 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$47
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 107.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 92.3 | 1 | $32.30 | $14.76 |
| Efficient EV | 76.9 | 0 | $26.92 | $12.30 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 123 | 1 | $43.06 | $19.69 |
Gas CO2
108 kg
EV CO2
36 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Monday
Local time
1:01 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°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
26 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
5h 44m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Blytheville, AR to Fort Smith, AR covers 307.6 miles and takes about 5h 44m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, I 57, Highway 18. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 153.8 miles from Blytheville, AR. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $47.02 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 307.6 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 72 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 146.9 miles (US 64): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 147.3 miles (US 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
On the drive from Blytheville, AR to Fort Smith, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Conway along the way.
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