Origin
Fort Smith, AR
Afternoon in Fort Smith on Sunday
Local time
3:41 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fort Smith, AR to Clinton, AR
Drive Time
2h 59m
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 48m
★
6 AM
2h 59m
8 AM
3h 22m
10 AM
3h 7m
12 PM
3h 5m
3 PM
3h 9m
5 PM
3h 21m
8 PM
2h 53m
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
If you are planning to travel from Fort Smith to Clinton, expect a straightforward journey covering 147.3 miles across Arkansas. This trip typically takes about 2 hours and 59 minutes, making it an ideal candidate for a single-day excursion. You will rely heavily on US 71, I 540, and State Highway 9 to navigate between these two Southeast locations. With an estimated fuel cost of $23, it is a relatively affordable route for a quick getaway. Since the entire drive is manageable in one sitting, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. It is a practical, efficient connection that gets you from point A to point B without unnecessary complexity.
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
73.7 miles from Fort Smith, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 16m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a drive defined by its highway-focused profile, as 98% of your travel time will be spent on major roads. The experience is dominated by a significant 100.4-mile stretch along US 71, which serves as the backbone of your journey. Because the route is so heavily oriented toward high-speed travel, you can anticipate a steady, consistent pace behind the wheel. The road transitions seamlessly between interstate sections and state highways, maintaining a functional flow throughout the 147.3-mile distance. You won't face many technical challenges, as the infrastructure is designed for direct, efficient transit rather than winding, slow-speed exploration.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 12 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 100.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 71 and State Highway 9. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2 miles in.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 147.3 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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 108.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
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
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
4
108.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 52m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
4
142.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 51m in
|
US 65; AR 9 / US Highway 65
Turn left onto US 65; AR 9 / US Highway 65
Navigation decision point
5
147.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 59m in
|
Yellowjacket Lane
Keep slight left at fork onto Yellowjacket Lane
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Fort Smith, AR to Clinton, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Memphis along the way.
Memphis
8 mi in
|
~11m
|
via US 71
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 71 | 100.4 mi | 1h 40m |
| State Highway 9 | 33.5 mi | 58m |
| I 540 | 5.7 mi | 6m |
| US Highway 65 | 4.5 mi | 6m |
| Grand Avenue | 2 mi | 3m |
| US 65B | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Yellowjacket Lane | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Main Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 71
— 100.4 mi, about 1h 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Smith, AR and Clinton, AR.
1
Start on Grand Avenue
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Grand Avenue
2
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward I 540 North, US 71 North
3
Merge onto I 540; US 71
5.7 mi
·
6 min
·
I 540; US 71
4
Keep slight right at fork onto US 71
100 mi
·
1 hr 40 min
·
US 71
Toward I 40 East: Little Rock, Memphis
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
6
Keep slight left at fork
149 ft
·
3 sec
7
Turn straight onto AR 9
33 mi
·
58 min
·
State Highway 9
8
Turn left onto US 65; AR 9
4.5 mi
·
6 min
·
US Highway 65
9
Turn left onto US 65B
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
US 65B
10
Turn left onto Main Street
129 ft
·
3 sec
·
Main Street
11
Keep slight left at fork onto Yellowjacket Lane
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
Yellowjacket Lane
12
Arrive at destination
Yellowjacket Lane
Trip Plan
To make the most of this three-hour drive, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Since the route is efficient, you have plenty of flexibility to adjust your departure time based on your personal schedule rather than worrying about heavy traffic delays. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, especially before hitting the longer 100.4-mile segment on US 71, to ensure you don't need to deviate from your path for gas. Because the trip is well under the three-hour mark, you can easily complete it in a single morning or afternoon. Use the $23 budget estimate as a baseline for your trip planning to keep your travel costs predictable.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 73.7 miles from Fort Smith, AR, or about 1h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 100.4 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 73.7 miles or 1h 16m 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 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clinton, 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 147.3 miles and 2h 59m.
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 100.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 73.7 mi from Fort Smith, AR · 1h 16m 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 73.7 miles from Fort Smith, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 71 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 100.4 miles.
Arriving in Clinton, AR
The final approach into Clinton, 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 Clinton, 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
$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
Clinton, AR
Afternoon in Clinton on Sunday
Local time
3:41 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 59m 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 Clinton, AR covers 147.3 miles and takes about 2h 59m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 71, State Highway 9, I 540. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 73.7 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 $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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 147.3 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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 108.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
On the drive from Fort Smith, AR to Clinton, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Memphis along the way.
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