Origin
Clinton, AR
Evening in Clinton on Sunday
Local time
6:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Clinton, AR to Fort Smith, AR
Drive Time
2h 26m
Distance
147.3 mi
237 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 16m
★
6 AM
2h 26m
8 AM
2h 46m
10 AM
2h 33m
12 PM
2h 31m
3 PM
2h 34m
5 PM
2h 45m
8 PM
2h 20m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clinton, AR
Alexander Krivitskiy
Trip Overview
Spanning 147.3 miles through the heart of Arkansas, this route from Clinton to Fort Smith typically takes about 2 hours and 26 minutes behind the wheel. Because the duration is relatively short, you can easily complete this journey in a single day, making it a straightforward trip without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $23 for fuel to cover the distance. Navigating through the Southeast, the drive connects two distinct Arkansas communities via a combination of Highway 65, Highway 9, and I-40 West. While there are no formal, planned stops included in this itinerary, the flexibility of the route allows you to manage your own pace. It serves as a practical, efficient connection for those moving between these two regional hubs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
73.6 miles from Clinton, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 13m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. You will spend your time navigating a mix of local roads, as the route features a highway share of 0% on the primary segments, shifting gears from Highway 65 and Highway 9 before transitioning onto I-40 West. The road demands your attention, requiring you to stay focused on the curves and changes in elevation throughout the 147.3-mile trip. Because this is a technical drive, you will find it quite different from a standard highway sprint. Keep in mind that the character of the road changes as you move from the local Arkansas corridors onto the interstate system, providing a varied experience for the driver.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 10 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Highway 65 is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Clinton, AR to Fort Smith, AR is easy. At 2h 26m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Clinton, AR to Fort Smith, AR is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Highway 65 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway 9 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 40 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 540 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Grand Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
Highway 65
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clinton, AR and Fort Smith, AR.
1
Start on Yellowjacket Lane
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
Yellowjacket Lane
2
Turn right
0.4 mi
·
42 sec
3
At the end of the road, turn right onto US Highway 65
4.5 mi
·
7 min
·
US Highway 65
4
Turn right onto State Highway 9
33 mi
·
58 min
·
State Highway 9
5
Take the ramp right toward I 40 West
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
I 40 West
6
Merge slight left
100 mi
·
1 hr 39 min
7
Take the exit slight right toward I 540 South, US 71 South: Fort Smith
6.5 mi
·
7 min
·
I 540 South, US 71 South: Fort Smith
8
Take the exit slight right toward Grand Avenue
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
Grand Avenue
9
Turn right onto Grand Avenue
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Grand Avenue
10
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable 2-hour and 26-minute drive, you have the flexibility to depart whenever it best suits your schedule. Try to time your departure to avoid heavy traffic, especially when transitioning onto I-40 West, where congestion can occasionally occur. With a fuel budget of $23, it is wise to fill your tank before leaving Clinton to ensure you have enough range for the entire 147.3-mile stretch. Because the route is turn-heavy, prioritize comfort and stay alert, as you will be navigating local roads for the majority of the time. If you find the technical turns tiring, take advantage of the transition to the interstate to reset your pace before arriving in Fort Smith.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 73.6 miles from Clinton, AR, or about 1h 13m into the drive.
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 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 73.6 miles or 1h 13m 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
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 Clinton, 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 Clinton, AR
This is one driving day of about 147.3 miles and 2h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Clinton, AR.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 73.6 mi from Clinton, AR · 1h 13m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
74 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 73.6 miles from Clinton, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.52 one way
$45.04 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
52 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $24.70 | $49.40 |
| premium | $4.61 | $26.73 | $53.47 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $32.72 | $65.45 |
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: 51.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 44.2 | 0 | $15.47 | $7.07 |
| Efficient EV | 36.8 | 0 | $12.89 | $5.89 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 58.9 | 0 | $20.62 | $9.43 |
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
17 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
Evening in Fort Smith on Sunday
Local time
6:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
59°F
Haskell, AR
74 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
1 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
2h 26m 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 Clinton, AR to Fort Smith, AR covers 147.3 miles and takes about 2h 26m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Highway 65, Highway 9, I 40 West. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 73.6 miles from Clinton, AR. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.52 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.
The drive from Clinton, AR to Fort Smith, AR is easy. At 2h 26m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Clinton, AR to Fort Smith, AR is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Clinton, AR to Fort Smith, AR does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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