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 Springdale, AR
Drive Time
1h 18m
Distance
67.1 mi
108 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 12m
★
6 AM
1h 18m
8 AM
1h 30m
10 AM
1h 22m
12 PM
1h 21m
3 PM
1h 23m
5 PM
1h 30m
8 PM
1h 14m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Springdale, AR
Choco Kitty
Trip Overview
Connecting Fort Smith to Springdale is a straightforward 67.1-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 18 minutes. Because of the manageable distance, this route functions perfectly as a quick day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless your schedule demands it. You can expect to spend approximately $10 on fuel for the trip, making it a very cost-effective way to navigate between these two Arkansas hubs. Since both cities are located within the Southeast region, the driving conditions remain consistent throughout your transit. It is a practical, no-nonsense path designed for efficiency rather than leisure, ideal for travelers who prioritize getting 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
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
33.5 miles from Fort Smith, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 38m into the drive .
Drive Character
This drive is heavily highway-focused, with 88% of your journey spent on high-speed roads like I-49, I-540, and US-71. You will find yourself settling into a steady rhythm quickly, especially during the longest uninterrupted stretch of 46.4 miles along I-49. Do not expect much in the way of technical local roads or winding side streets; instead, prepare for a professional, interstate-heavy experience. The road character is defined by its speed and directness, allowing you to cover the miles efficiently. It is a utilitarian route that keeps you moving consistently toward your destination without the frequent stop-and-go interruptions found on secondary highways.
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.
I 49 is the longest continuous segment at about 46.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 49 and I 540. You will hit about 7 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 67.1 miles you will encounter 7 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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 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
6
12.6 mi into trip
|
~15m in
Take the exit toward I 49 North: Fayetteville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 49 North: Fayetteville
8
59.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 4m in
|
US 71B / Fulbright Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 71B / Fulbright Expressway toward US 71B: Fayetteville Business District
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 67B
Toward US 71B: Fayetteville Business District
4
67 mi into trip
|
~1h 17m in
|
North Commercial Street
At end of road, turn left onto North Commercial Street
Navigation decision point
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Fort Smith, AR to Springdale, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Memphis along the way.
Memphis
8 mi in
|
~11m
|
via US 71
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 49 | 46.4 mi | 47m |
| I 540 | 5.7 mi | 6m |
| US 71 | 4.6 mi | 4m |
| South Thompson Street | 3.3 mi | 5m |
| Fulbright Expressway | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| Grand Avenue | 2 mi | 3m |
| North College Avenue | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| West Johnson Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 49
— 46.4 mi, about 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Smith, AR and Springdale, 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
4.6 mi
·
4 min
·
US 71
Toward I 40 East: Little Rock, Memphis
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 49 North: Fayetteville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 49
46 mi
·
47 min
·
I 49
Use the none lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 71B
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Fulbright Expressway
Exit 67B
Toward US 71B: Fayetteville Business District
Use the slight right lane.
8
Continue on US 71B
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
North College Avenue
Use the none lane.
9
Continue on US 71B
3.3 mi
·
5 min
·
South Thompson Street
10
Turn right onto West Johnson Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
West Johnson Avenue
11
At end of road, turn left onto North Commercial Street
119 ft
·
5 sec
·
North Commercial Street
12
Arrive at destination
North Commercial Street
Trip Plan
Given the short 1 hour and 18 minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though hitting the road outside of peak traffic hours will ensure the smoothest transit. Since there are zero formal stops required by the length of this trip, you have the freedom to push through the entire 67.1 miles in one go or pull over whenever you feel like stretching your legs. Make sure your tank is ready for the $10 fuel expense before you head out to avoid unnecessary errands once you are on the interstate. As a specific tip for this route, keep a close eye on your GPS as you transition between I-49 and the other arterial roads, as the highway signage can change rapidly during the final approach to Springdale.
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 33.5 miles from Fort Smith, AR, or about 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 46.4 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 67.1 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 33.5 miles or 38m 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 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Springdale, 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 67.1 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.
The longest stretch is on I 49 for about 46.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 33.5 mi from Fort Smith, AR · 38m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
34 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 67.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 33.5 miles from Fort Smith, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Springdale, AR
The final approach into Springdale, 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 Springdale, 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
$10.26 one way
$20.52 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
24 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $11.25 | $22.50 |
| premium | $4.61 | $12.18 | $24.36 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $14.91 | $29.81 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$35–$60
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 23.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 20.1 | 0 | $7.05 | $3.22 |
| Efficient EV | 16.8 | 0 | $5.87 | $2.68 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 26.8 | 0 | $9.39 | $4.29 |
Gas CO2
23 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (65% 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
Springdale, AR
Afternoon in Springdale on Sunday
Local time
3:41 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
63°F
Garland, TX
34 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
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 Springdale, AR covers 67.1 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 49, I 540, US 71. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 33.5 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 $10.26 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 67.1 miles you will encounter 7 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 12.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Fort Smith, AR to Springdale, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Memphis along the way.
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