Origin
Caraway, AR
Night in Caraway on Tuesday
Local time
10:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Caraway, AR to Fort Smith, AR
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
5h 17m
Distance
283 mi
455 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$43
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 4m
★
6 AM
5h 18m
8 AM
5h 44m
10 AM
5h 27m
12 PM
5h 24m
3 PM
5h 28m
5 PM
5h 43m
8 PM
5h 10m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Caraway, AR
Patrick
Trip Overview
This approximately 283-mile drive from Caraway, Arkansas, to Fort Smith, Arkansas, will take about 5 hours and 17 minutes of pure driving time. Given its duration and the fact that you'll be spending 94% of your time on highways, this route is perfectly manageable as a single-day trip. You can expect a fuel cost of around $43 for this journey. The drive is primarily a highway-focused experience, making it a straightforward transit between these two Arkansas locations. Since both your origin and destination are in the Southeast region, you'll remain within familiar territory throughout the trip, allowing for a smooth and predictable travel day.
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
141.5 miles from Caraway, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 48m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 94% of your travel occurring on major roadways. You'll primarily navigate on I-40 and I-57, with US-64 also playing a role. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is an impressive 118.6 miles on I-40, offering a significant period of consistent cruising. This highway-centric profile suggests a drive where maintaining speed is generally easy, allowing you to cover ground efficiently. The road character remains largely consistent, focusing on efficient travel rather than varied landscapes.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 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 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 47.4 miles in.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 283 miles you will encounter 12 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 47.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 122.3 miles (US 64): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 122.7 miles (US 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
47.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 5m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
5
122.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 23m 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
122.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 24m 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
274.3 mi into trip
|
~5h 5m 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
280.9 mi into trip
|
~5h 13m in
Take the exit toward Grand Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 6
Toward Grand Avenue
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Caraway, AR to Fort Smith, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Conway along the way.
Conway
122.3 mi in
|
~2h 23m
|
via US 64
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 118.6 mi | 1h 58m |
| I 57 | 74.5 mi | 1h 16m |
| US 64 | 33 mi | 42m |
| Highway 18 | 19.4 mi | 28m |
| US 78 | 12.5 mi | 14m |
| Southwest Drive | 7.4 mi | 8m |
| US 71 | 6.5 mi | 7m |
| East State Street | 5.7 mi | 10m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 118.6 mi, about 1h 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Caraway, AR and Fort Smith, AR.
1
Start on AR 158
5.7 mi
·
10 min
·
East State Street
2
Continue on AR 135
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
AR 135
3
Turn left onto AR 135
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
West Rogers
4
Turn left onto US 78; AR 18
19 mi
·
28 min
·
Highway 18
5
Turn left onto AR 18
7.4 mi
·
8 min
·
Southwest Drive
6
Continue on US 78; AR 226
13 mi
·
14 min
·
US 78; AR 226
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
8
Merge onto I 57
75 mi
·
1 hr 16 min
·
I 57
9
Take the exit onto US 64
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
US 64
Toward US 64 West, I 57 Business North: Beebe, Conway
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 64
33 mi
·
41 min
·
US 64
Toward US 64 West: Conway
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
12
Merge onto I 40; US 65
119 mi
·
1 hr 58 min
·
I 40; US 65
13
Take the exit onto US 71
6.5 mi
·
7 min
·
US 71
Toward I 540 South, US 71 South: Fort Smith
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 6
Toward Grand Avenue
15
Turn right onto Grand Avenue
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Grand Avenue
16
Arrive at destination
Grand Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour and 17-minute drive, starting early in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and minimize traffic, especially as you approach Fort Smith. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing yourself, but consider a break around the halfway point to stretch and refuel. Keep in mind the longest stretch without a significant change in road is over 118 miles, so plan your breaks accordingly before you feel the need. The estimated fuel cost of $43 is a good baseline, but always have a little extra for unexpected detours or price fluctuations.
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 141.5 miles from Caraway, AR, or about 2h 48m 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 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 141.5 miles or 2h 48m 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 23m
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 Caraway, 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 Caraway, AR
This is one driving day of about 283 miles and 5h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Caraway, 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 141.5 mi from Caraway, AR · 2h 48m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
142 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 141.5 miles from Caraway, 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
$42.74 one way
$85.48 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
99 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $46.92 | $93.84 |
| premium | $4.56 | $50.80 | $101.59 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $62.48 | $124.97 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 99 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 84.9 | 1 | $29.71 | $13.58 |
| Efficient EV | 70.8 | 0 | $24.76 | $11.32 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 113.2 | 1 | $39.62 | $18.11 |
Gas CO2
99 kg
EV CO2
33 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
Night in Fort Smith on Tuesday
Local time
10:07 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
4 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 17m 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 Caraway, AR to Fort Smith, AR covers 283 miles and takes about 5h 17m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, I 57, US 64. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 141.5 miles from Caraway, AR. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $42.74 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 283 miles you will encounter 12 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 47.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 122.3 miles (US 64): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 122.7 miles (US 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
On the drive from Caraway, AR to Fort Smith, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Conway along the way.
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