Origin
Des Arc, AR
Afternoon in Des Arc on Sunday
Local time
3:41 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Des Arc, AR to Fort Smith, AR
Drive Time
3h 42m
Distance
189.5 mi
305 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 29m
★
6 AM
3h 42m
8 AM
4h 7m
10 AM
3h 51m
12 PM
3h 48m
3 PM
3h 52m
5 PM
4h 6m
8 PM
3h 34m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Des Arc, AR
Eren Li
Trip Overview
If you are looking to traverse Arkansas from Des Arc to Fort Smith, expect a 189.1-mile journey that typically takes about 3 hours and 10 minutes. This route is best suited as a comfortable single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can anticipate a fuel budget of approximately $29 for the drive. Since the entire trip takes place within the Southeast region of Arkansas, you will remain in familiar territory throughout your travels. It serves as a straightforward option for those prioritizing local roads over major interstates, providing a practical alternative for your transit across the state.
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
94.8 miles from Des Arc, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 3m into the drive .
Drive Character
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this path relies on Main Street, North 5th Street, and Highway 13 to navigate you toward your destination. Because the highway share is 0%, you should be ready for a more traditional driving experience that prioritizes local connections over high-speed travel. The road demands your full attention as you transition through various local segments, making it feel less like a highway commute and more like a deliberate, hands-on navigation through the Arkansas landscape.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
561 ft
245 ft
Total Climb
642 ft
Total Descent
451 ft
Highest Point
561 ft
~150 mi in
Elevation Range
316 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and US 64. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near AR 323 / Main Street.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h 42m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (AR 323 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (North 5th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (AR 38): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
AR 323 / Main Street
Turn right onto AR 323 / Main Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
North 5th Street
Turn right onto North 5th Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.4 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
AR 38
At end of road, turn left onto AR 38
Navigation decision point
5
180.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 30m 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
187.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 37m in
Take the exit toward Grand Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 6
Toward Grand Avenue
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 118.6 mi | 1h 58m |
| US 64 | 32.5 mi | 41m |
| AR 38 | 14.1 mi | 20m |
| US 71 | 6.5 mi | 7m |
| State Highway 13 | 5.8 mi | 10m |
| Cypress Lake Road | 4.3 mi | 7m |
| West Center Street | 2.4 mi | 4m |
| 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 Des Arc, AR and Fort Smith, AR.
1
Start on North 3rd
36 ft
·
3 sec
·
North 3rd
2
Turn right onto AR 323
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
Main Street
3
Turn right onto North 5th Street
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
·
North 5th Street
4
At end of road, turn left onto AR 38
3.8 mi
·
5 min
·
AR 38
5
Turn right onto AR 38
10 mi
·
15 min
·
AR 38
6
Turn right onto AR 13
5.8 mi
·
10 min
·
State Highway 13
7
Continue on AR 13
4.3 mi
·
7 min
·
Cypress Lake Road
8
At end of road, turn right onto AR 31
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
State Highway 31
9
Continue on AR 31
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
South Main Street
10
Continue on AR 31
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
11
Turn left onto I 57 Business
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
West Center Street
12
Continue on US 64
32 mi
·
41 min
·
US 64
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
14
Merge onto I 40; US 65
119 mi
·
1 hr 58 min
·
I 40; US 65
15
Take the exit onto US 71
6.5 mi
·
7 min
·
US 71
Toward I 540 South, US 71 South: Fort Smith
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 6
Toward Grand Avenue
17
Turn right onto Grand Avenue
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Grand Avenue
18
Arrive at destination
Grand Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively quick 3-hour and 10-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time. Plan for at least one stop to break up the drive, as the turn-heavy nature of the roads requires more focus than a standard highway route. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before you head out, ensuring you have your $29 budget allocated for the trip. A helpful tip for this specific route is to stay vigilant with your navigation through the turns on Highway 13, as local roads can change rhythm quickly compared to major thoroughfares. Staying alert and pacing yourself will make the 189.1-mile journey much more manageable.
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 94.8 miles from Des Arc, AR, or about 2h 3m 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 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 94.8 miles or 2h 3m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 4m
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 Des Arc, 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 Des Arc, AR
This is one driving day of about 189.5 miles and 3h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Des Arc, 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 94.8 mi from Des Arc, AR · 2h 3m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
95 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 94.8 miles from Des Arc, 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
$28.97 one way
$57.94 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
66 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $31.77 | $63.55 |
| premium | $4.61 | $34.39 | $68.79 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $42.10 | $84.20 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 66.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 56.9 | 0 | $19.90 | $9.10 |
| Efficient EV | 47.4 | 0 | $16.58 | $7.58 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 75.8 | 0 | $26.53 | $12.13 |
Gas CO2
66 kg
EV CO2
22 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 Sunday
Local time
3:41 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
6 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
3h 42m 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 Des Arc, AR to Fort Smith, AR covers 189.5 miles and takes about 3h 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, US 64, AR 38. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 94.8 miles from Des Arc, AR. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $28.97 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 42m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (AR 323 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (North 5th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (AR 38): Navigation decision point.
The route from Des Arc, AR to Fort Smith, AR does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Fort Smith, AR
More from Des Arc, AR
More trips to Fort Smith, AR
Explore more options from Des Arc, AR or browse trips ending in Fort Smith, AR.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AR road trips.
Explore maps for Des Arc, AR or Fort Smith, AR on MapSof.net.