Origin
Fort Smith, AR
Afternoon in Fort Smith on Sunday
Local time
3:43 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fort Smith, AR to Coal Hill, AR
Drive Time
1h
Distance
52.7 mi
85 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 56m
★
6 AM
1h 0m
8 AM
1h 10m
10 AM
1h 4m
12 PM
1h 3m
3 PM
1h 4m
5 PM
1h 10m
8 PM
0h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick and straightforward transit across Arkansas, this 52.7-mile connection from Fort Smith to Coal Hill is an efficient choice. The drive takes approximately one hour, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day trip that requires no overnight stops. With a fuel budget of about $8, it is a very economical journey for solo travelers or families alike. Because the route is entirely contained within the Southeast region, you will experience a consistent geographical feel from start to finish. It is a practical, no-nonsense path designed for those who prioritize speed and simplicity over detours. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a short excursion, the predictable nature of this drive makes it easy to fit into any busy 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
26.4 miles from Fort Smith, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 29m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a high-speed experience, as 95% of this journey is comprised of highway driving. You will spend the bulk of your time navigating via US 71, I-540, and Highway 164, which keeps the pace steady and the navigation simple. The longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on US 71, where you will cover 39 miles of highway before transitioning to the next leg of the trip. Behind the wheel, you will find this to be a highway-focused drive that favors efficiency over technical maneuvering. It is the type of route where you can settle into a consistent rhythm, as the transitions between the major thoroughfares are designed to keep traffic moving smoothly toward your destination.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 10 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 39 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 71 and I 540. You will hit about 8 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 52.7 miles you will encounter 8 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 47 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 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
5
47 mi into trip
|
~50m in
Take the exit toward AR 164: Coal Hill, Hartman
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward AR 164: Coal Hill, Hartman
4
47.3 mi into trip
|
~50m in
|
AR 164 / Highway 164
Keep slight right at fork onto AR 164 / Highway 164
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
52.7 mi into trip
|
~1h in
|
Oak Street
Turn right onto Oak Street
Navigation decision point
Towns Along This Route
Between Fort Smith, AR and Coal Hill, AR, road signs point toward Memphis and Hartman.
Memphis
8 mi in
|
~11m
|
via US 71
Hartman
47 mi in
|
~50m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 71 | 39 mi | 39m |
| I 540 | 5.7 mi | 6m |
| Highway 164 | 4.4 mi | 7m |
| Grand Avenue | 2 mi | 3m |
| US 64 | 1 mi | 1m |
| 3rd Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Oak Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 71
— 39 mi, about 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Smith, AR and Coal Hill, 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
39 mi
·
39 min
·
US 71
Toward I 40 East: Little Rock, Memphis
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Toward AR 164: Coal Hill, Hartman
6
Keep slight right at fork onto AR 164
4.4 mi
·
7 min
·
Highway 164
7
Turn right onto US 64
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
US 64
8
Turn left onto 3rd Street
248 ft
·
13 sec
·
3rd Street
9
Turn right onto Oak Street
80 ft
·
3 sec
·
Oak Street
10
Arrive at destination
Oak Street
Trip Plan
Because this is a short one-hour drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, allowing you to easily avoid peak traffic hours if you prefer. Since there are no designated stops required for a trip of this length, you can complete the 52.7-mile distance in a single, comfortable push. Keep in mind that your primary transit will rely on US 71, so monitor local traffic reports for that stretch before you head out. Budgeting roughly $8 for fuel should cover your needs, but filling up in Fort Smith before you hit the highway is a smart way to ensure you have a full tank for the duration. Use this convenience to your advantage by planning your arrival in Coal Hill to align perfectly with your daily itinerary.
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 26.4 miles from Fort Smith, AR, or about 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 39 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 52.7 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 26.4 miles or 29m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Coal Hill, 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 52.7 miles and 1h.
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.
The longest stretch is on US 71 for about 39 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 26.4 mi from Fort Smith, AR · 29m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
26 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 52.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 26.4 miles from Fort Smith, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Coal Hill, AR
The final approach into Coal Hill, 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 Coal Hill, 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
$8.06 one way
$16.11 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
18 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $8.84 | $17.67 |
| premium | $4.61 | $9.56 | $19.13 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $11.71 | $23.42 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$33–$58
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 18.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 15.8 | 0 | $5.53 | $2.53 |
| Efficient EV | 13.2 | 0 | $4.61 | $2.11 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 21.1 | 0 | $7.38 | $3.37 |
Gas CO2
18 kg
EV CO2
6 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
Coal Hill, AR
Afternoon in Coal Hill on Sunday
Local time
3:43 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°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
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
1h 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 Coal Hill, AR covers 52.7 miles and takes about 1h without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 71, I 540, Highway 164. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 26.4 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 $8.06 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 52.7 miles you will encounter 8 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 47 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Fort Smith, AR and Coal Hill, AR, road signs point toward Memphis and Hartman.
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