Origin
Fort Smith, AR
Afternoon in Fort Smith on Sunday
Local time
3:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fort Smith, AR to Bentonville, AR
Drive Time
1h 18m
Distance
82.4 mi
133 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 13m
★
6 AM
1h 19m
8 AM
1h 31m
10 AM
1h 23m
12 PM
1h 22m
3 PM
1h 24m
5 PM
1h 31m
8 PM
1h 15m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bentonville, AR
Tima Miroshnichenko
Trip Overview
Connecting Fort Smith to Bentonville is a straightforward 82.4-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 18 minutes. Since this is a relatively short trip within the Southeast region, it works perfectly as a quick day trip without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $11 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Arkansas cities. By utilizing a combination of I-40 East, I-49 North, and I-540 North, you can navigate the path efficiently. This route is ideal for travelers looking for a direct transit between these two hubs, offering a balance of practicality and convenience for your schedule.
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
41.2 miles from Fort Smith, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 39m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy, local driving experience as you make your way north. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route requires more active attention behind the wheel due to the nature of the local road profile. While you will transition through various segments of I-40, I-49, and I-540, there is no significant stretch of highway driving, as the longest uninterrupted segment on I-540 North is effectively zero miles. The road’s personality is defined by these constant shifts and turns rather than long, flat straightaways. Prepare for a dynamic drive that keeps you engaged from start to finish.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 540 North 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 Fort Smith, AR to Bentonville, AR is easy. At 1h 18m 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 Fort Smith, AR to Bentonville, AR is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 540 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 40 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 49 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 62 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Southeast 14th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Southeast J Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Central Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North Main Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
I 540 North
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Smith, AR and Bentonville, AR.
1
Start on Grand Avenue
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Grand Avenue
2
Turn left onto I 540 North, US 71 North
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
I 540 North, US 71 North
3
Merge slight left
5.7 mi
·
6 min
4
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Little Rock, Memphis
4.6 mi
·
4 min
·
I 40 East: Little Rock, Memphis
5
Take the exit slight right toward I 49 North: Fayetteville
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
I 49 North: Fayetteville
6
Continue straight
46 mi
·
47 min
7
Keep slight left
19 mi
·
20 min
8
Take the exit slight right toward US 62 East, AR 12 East, AR 102 West: Southeast 14th Street, Hudson Road
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
US 62 East, AR 12 East, AR 102 West: Southeast 14th Street, Hudson Road
9
Turn left onto Southeast 14th Street
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Southeast 14th Street
10
Turn right onto Southeast J Street
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Southeast J Street
11
Turn left onto East Central Avenue
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
East Central Avenue
12
Turn right onto North Main Street
187 ft
·
6 sec
·
North Main Street
13
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
With a travel time of just over an hour, you have plenty of flexibility when planning your departure from Fort Smith. Since there are no mandatory stops built into this 82.4-mile itinerary, you can easily complete the drive in one go without needing to schedule long breaks. Keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of the route makes it wise to stay alert and pace yourself appropriately, especially if you are hauling gear or driving during peak local traffic hours. Because fuel costs remain low at around $11, you won't need to stress about frequent refueling stops. Use the time saved on this efficient route to maximize your arrival plans in Bentonville.
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 41.2 miles from Fort Smith, AR, or about 39m 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 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.2 miles or 39m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bentonville, AR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fort Smith, 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 Fort Smith, AR
This is one driving day of about 82.4 miles and 1h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Fort Smith, 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 41.2 mi from Fort Smith, AR · 39m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
41 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 41.2 miles from Fort Smith, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Bentonville, AR
The final approach into Bentonville, 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 Bentonville, 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
$12.60 one way
$25.19 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
29 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $13.82 | $27.63 |
| premium | $4.61 | $14.96 | $29.91 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $18.31 | $36.61 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 24.7 | 0 | $8.65 | $3.96 |
| Efficient EV | 20.6 | 0 | $7.21 | $3.30 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 33 | 0 | $11.54 | $5.27 |
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (66% 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
Bentonville, AR
Afternoon in Bentonville on Sunday
Local time
3:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°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
17 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
1h 18m 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 Fort Smith, AR to Bentonville, AR covers 82.4 miles and takes about 1h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 540 North, I 40 East, I 49 North. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 41.2 miles from Fort Smith, AR. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.60 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 Fort Smith, AR to Bentonville, AR is easy. At 1h 18m 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 Fort Smith, AR to Bentonville, AR is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Fort Smith, AR to Bentonville, AR does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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