Origin
Fordyce, AR
Afternoon in Fordyce on Thursday
Local time
3:28 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fordyce, AR to Fort Smith, AR
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
4h 2m
Distance
224.3 mi
361 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 49m
★
6 AM
4h 3m
8 AM
4h 29m
10 AM
4h 12m
12 PM
4h 9m
3 PM
4h 13m
5 PM
4h 27m
8 PM
3h 55m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fordyce, AR
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Fordyce, AR to Fort Smith, AR covers 224.3 miles and takes about 4h 2m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 65, US 167, Sheridan Bypass for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 145.7 miles on US 65. At current regular gas prices, budget about $33.87 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
112.2 miles from Fordyce, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 6m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 2m. Total distance: 224.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
This is a 4h 2m highway drive covering 224.3 miles, with most of the trip on US 65 and US 167. The longest continuous stretch is about 145.7 miles on US 65.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 11 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 65 is the longest continuous segment at about 145.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 65 and US 167. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 55.2 miles in near US 167.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 2m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 55.2 miles (US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 69.9 miles (US 65): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 70.2 miles (US 65): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
55.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 6m in
|
US 167
Keep slight left at fork onto US 167 toward I 530 North, US 65 North, US 167 North: Little Rock
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 530 North, US 65 North, US 167 North:...
7
69.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 23m in
|
US 65
Keep slight left at fork onto US 65 toward I 40 West, US 65 North, AR 107 North: Conway, Fort Smith
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 143A
Toward I 40 West, US 65 North, AR 107 North: Co...
6
70.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 23m in
|
US 65
Keep slight left at fork onto US 65
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
215.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 50m 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
222.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 58m 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 |
|---|---|---|
| US 65 | 145.7 mi | 2h 27m |
| US 167 | 50.9 mi | 1h |
| Sheridan Bypass | 17.9 mi | 20m |
| US 71 | 6.5 mi | 7m |
| Grand Avenue | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| Moro | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| East 4th Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 65
— 145.7 mi, about 2h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fordyce, AR and Fort Smith, AR.
1
Start on US 79B; AR 8
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
East 4th Street
2
Turn left onto US 79B
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Moro
3
Continue on US 167
36 mi
·
44 min
·
US 167
4
Continue on US 167
18 mi
·
20 min
·
Sheridan Bypass
5
Keep slight left at fork onto US 167
15 mi
·
16 min
·
US 167
Toward I 530 North, US 65 North, US 167 North: Little Rock
6
Keep slight left at fork onto US 65
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
US 65
Exit 143A
Toward I 40 West, US 65 North, AR 107 North: Conway, Fort Smith
7
Keep slight left at fork onto US 65
145 mi
·
2 hr 26 min
·
US 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit onto US 71
6.5 mi
·
7 min
·
US 71
Toward I 540 South, US 71 South: Fort Smith
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 6
Toward Grand Avenue
10
Turn right onto Grand Avenue
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Grand Avenue
11
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 112.2 miles from Fordyce, AR, or about 2h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 145.7 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 49 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 112.2 miles or 2h 6m 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 18m
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 Fordyce, 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 Fordyce, AR
This is one driving day of about 224.3 miles and 4h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Fordyce, 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 US 65 for about 145.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 112.2 mi from Fordyce, AR · 2h 6m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
112 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 49 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 112.2 miles from Fordyce, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 65 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 145.7 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
$33.87 one way
$67.75 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
79 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $37.19 | $74.37 |
| premium | $4.56 | $40.26 | $80.52 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $49.52 | $99.05 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 78.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 67.3 | 0 | $23.55 | $10.77 |
| Efficient EV | 56.1 | 0 | $19.63 | $8.97 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 89.7 | 1 | $31.40 | $14.36 |
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Thursday
Local time
3:28 PM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 10 mph
32% chance
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
5 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
4h 2m 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 Fordyce, AR to Fort Smith, AR covers 224.3 miles and takes about 4h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 65, US 167, Sheridan Bypass. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 112.2 miles from Fordyce, AR. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $33.87 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 is a straightforward 4h 2m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 55.2 miles (US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 69.9 miles (US 65): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 70.2 miles (US 65): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Fordyce, AR to Fort Smith, AR does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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