Trip from Fort Smith, AR to Brookland, AR

Drive Time

4h 51m

Distance

265.8 mi

428 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$41

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min

4 AM

4h 38m ★

6 AM

4h 52m

8 AM

5h 19m

10 AM

5h 1m

12 PM

4h 58m

3 PM

5h 2m

5 PM

5h 17m

8 PM

4h 44m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Brookland, AR

Md Jawadur Rahman

Trip Overview

Traveling from Fort Smith to Brookland covers 265.8 miles across Arkansas, making it a manageable journey that fits perfectly into a single day of driving. You should anticipate approximately 4 hours and 51 minutes of time behind the wheel, depending on your pace and traffic conditions. With a fuel budget of roughly $41, this trip is quite economical for a solo traveler or a small group. Since the route stays entirely within the Southeast region of the state, you won't experience drastic climate or topographical shifts, but you will cross a significant portion of the Arkansas landscape. It is a straightforward highway-focused drive that doesn't require an overnight stay, allowing you to reach your destination comfortably before sunset if you depart early.

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

132.9 miles from Fort Smith, AR

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 19m into the drive .

Drive Character

This journey is defined by a heavy reliance on major thoroughfares, with 82% of the route consisting of highway travel. You will spend the bulk of your time navigating via US 71, US 64, and the Vilonia Bypass, which keeps the flow of traffic consistent. Be prepared for a significant initial leg, as your longest uninterrupted stretch spans 119.2 miles along US 71. The character of the road remains relatively predictable throughout the drive, shifting away from the more congested corridors as you transition toward the northeastern part of the state. It is a practical, no-nonsense path designed for efficiency rather than leisurely cruising.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

US 71 is the longest continuous segment at about 119.2 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

530 ft 201 ft

Total Climb

453 ft

Total Descent

625 ft

Highest Point

530 ft

~44.3 mi in

Elevation Range

330 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 71 and US 64. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2 miles in.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 265.8 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8 miles (US 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 127.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 14 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

2 mi into trip | ~3m in

Turn left toward I 540 North, US 71 North

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 540 North, US 71 North

8 mi into trip | ~11m in | US 71

Keep slight right at fork onto US 71 toward I 40 East: Little Rock, Memphis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 40 East: Little Rock, Memphis

127.4 mi into trip | ~2h 11m in

Keep slight left at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

257.4 mi into trip | ~4h 38m in | US 49; AR 1 / Red Wolf Boulevard

Turn left onto US 49; AR 1 / Red Wolf Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

265.1 mi into trip | ~4h 50m in | US 49B / South Holman Street

Turn right onto US 49B / South Holman Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
US 71	119.2 mi	1h 59m
US 64	74.6 mi	1h 17m
Vilonia Bypass	25.9 mi	32m
US 78	12.1 mi	13m
Southwest Drive	7.4 mi	9m
I 540	5.7 mi	6m
State Highway 64	5.4 mi	6m
East Johnson Avenue	5.3 mi	8m

Longest stretch: US 71 — 119.2 mi, about 1h 59m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Fort Smith, AR and Brookland, AR.

Start on Grand Avenue

2.0 mi · 3 min · Grand Avenue

Turn left

0.3 mi · 40 sec

Toward I 540 North, US 71 North

Merge onto I 540; US 71

5.7 mi · 6 min · I 540; US 71

Keep slight right at fork onto US 71

119 mi · 1 hr 59 min · US 71

Toward I 40 East: Little Rock, Memphis Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 30 sec

Toward US 64

Keep slight left at fork

212 ft · 8 sec

Turn left onto US 64

1.8 mi · 3 min · East Oak Street

Continue on US 64

5.4 mi · 6 min · State Highway 64

Continue on US 64

26 mi · 32 min · Vilonia Bypass

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit onto US 64

75 mi · 1 hr 17 min · US 64

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward AR 226: Jonesboro

Keep slight right at fork

346 ft · 8 sec

Merge onto US 78; AR 226

12 mi · 13 min · US 78; AR 226

Continue on US 49; US 63; US 78

7.4 mi · 9 min · Southwest Drive

Turn right onto AR 18

2.1 mi · 3 min · East Highland Drive

Turn left onto US 49; AR 1

2.4 mi · 3 min · Red Wolf Boulevard

Use the straight lane.

Continue on US 49; AR 1

5.3 mi · 8 min · East Johnson Avenue

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn right onto US 49B

0.7 mi · 1 min · South Holman Street

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn left onto West Hinkley Avenue

189 ft · 8 sec · West Hinkley Avenue

Arrive at destination

West Hinkley Avenue

Trip Plan

To make the most of your time, try to depart early in the morning to avoid midday traffic fluctuations on the busier highway sections. Since the trip requires only one planned stop, you have plenty of flexibility to stretch your legs whenever you feel the need. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during that long 119.2-mile stretch on US 71, as services may be spaced out depending on your exact timing. If you find yourself getting fatigued, remember that you have nearly five hours of travel ahead and should prioritize safety over speed. A helpful tip for this specific route is to keep your navigation apps updated, as the Vilonia Bypass can significantly impact your arrival time by helping you navigate around local traffic.

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 132.9 miles from Fort Smith, AR, or about 2h 19m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 119.2 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 23m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 132.9 miles or 2h 19m 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 53m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brookland, 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 265.8 miles and 4h 51m.

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.

Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on US 71 for about 119.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 132.9 mi from Fort Smith, AR · 2h 19m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Conway, AR

133 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

Texarkana, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Memphis, TN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 132.9 miles from Fort Smith, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 71 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 119.2 miles.

Arriving in Brookland, AR

The final approach into Brookland, 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 Brookland, 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

$40.63 one way

$81.27 round trip

$3.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 93 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.26	$44.57	$89.14
premium	$4.61	$48.24	$96.48
diesel	$5.64	$59.05	$118.10

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$41

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$66–$91

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 93 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	79.7	0	$27.91	$12.76
Efficient EV	66.5	0	$23.26	$10.63
EV Truck/SUV	106.3	1	$37.21	$17.01

Gas CO2

93 kg

EV CO2

31 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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Fort Smith, AR

Evening in Fort Smith on Sunday

Local time

6:20 PM

CDT

Current temp

57°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Brookland, AR

Evening in Brookland on Sunday

Local time

6:20 PM

CDT

Current temp

61°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 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 51m 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 Fort Smith, AR to Brookland, AR covers 265.8 miles and takes about 4h 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are US 71, US 64, Vilonia 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 132.9 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 $40.63 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.

The route from Fort Smith, AR to Brookland, AR does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 201 ft to 530 ft elevation with about 453 ft of total climbing.

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Trip from Fort Smith, AR to Brookland, AR

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

Elevation Profile

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Brookland, AR

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Fort Smith, AR

Brookland, AR

Same local time

4 degrees warmer at arrival

4h 51m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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