Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 40m
Distance
88.6 mi
143 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pea Ridge, AR
The Traveling Photo Experiment
The drive from Fort Smith, AR to Pea Ridge, AR covers 88.6 miles and takes about 1h 40m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 49, I 540, State Highway 72 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 67.7 miles on I 49. At current regular gas prices, budget about $13.38 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
44.3 miles from Fort Smith, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 49m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 40m. Total distance: 88.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
This is a 1h 40m highway drive covering 88.6 miles, with most of the trip on I 49 and I 540. The longest continuous stretch is about 67.7 miles on I 49.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 49 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.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 88.6 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 12.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left toward I 540 North, US 71 North
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
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
Take the exit toward I 49 North: Fayetteville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto I 49; US 62; US 71
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto AR 72 / East Central Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Fort Smith, AR to Pea Ridge, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Memphis along the way.
Memphis
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 49 | 67.7 mi | 1h 10m |
| I 540 | 5.7 mi | 6m |
| State Highway 72 | 4.6 mi | 7m |
| US 71 | 4.6 mi | 4m |
| Grand Avenue | 2 mi | 3m |
| Slack Street | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| North Curtis Avenue | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| East Central Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Smith, AR and Pea Ridge, AR.
Start on Grand Avenue
Turn left
Merge onto I 540; US 71
Keep slight right at fork onto US 71
Take the exit
Continue on I 49
Keep slight left at fork onto I 49; US 62; US 71
Continue on I 49; US 71
Take the exit
Turn right onto AR 72
Continue on AR 72
Continue on AR 72
Turn left onto AR 94
Arrive at destination
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.
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 19 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44.3 miles or 49m 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 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pea Ridge, AR than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Fort Smith, AR so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Fort Smith, AR
This is one driving day of about 88.6 miles and 1h 40m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 44.3 mi from Fort Smith, AR · 49m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
44 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.
A short stop after about 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 44.3 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 I 49 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 67.7 miles.
The final approach into Pea Ridge, AR usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$13.38 one way
$26.76 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $14.69 | $29.38 |
| premium | $4.56 | $15.90 | $31.81 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $19.56 | $39.12 |
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: 31 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 26.6 | 0 | $9.30 | $4.25 |
| Efficient EV | 22.2 | 0 | $7.75 | $3.54 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 35.4 | 0 | $12.40 | $5.67 |
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (68% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Fort Smith on Thursday
Local time
5:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Destination
Evening in Pea Ridge on Thursday
Local time
5:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
72°F
Fayetteville, AR
44 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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