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Trip from Fort Smith, AR to Bull Shoals, AR

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 41m

Distance

174.4 mi

281 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$26

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
3h 29m ★
6 AM
3h 42m
8 AM
4h 7m
10 AM
3h 51m
12 PM
3h 48m
3 PM
3h 52m
5 PM
4h 6m
8 PM
3h 34m

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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Downtown Bull Shoals, AR, AR

Bull Shoals, AR

Connor Scott McManus

Trip Overview

The drive from Fort Smith, AR to Bull Shoals, AR covers 174.4 miles and takes about 3h 41m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 49, US 412, US 62 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 40.3 miles on I 49. At current regular gas prices, budget about $26.34 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.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

87.2 miles from Fort Smith, AR

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 48m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 41m. Total distance: 174.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 3h 41m highway drive covering 174.4 miles, with most of the trip on I 49 and US 412. The longest continuous stretch is about 40.3 miles on I 49.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 24 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 40.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 49 and US 412. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2 miles in.

Driving Effort 6/10

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 174.4 miles you will encounter 14 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 14 key points

These 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
5
53.6 mi into trip | ~57m in

Take the exit toward AR 112, AR 265

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward AR 112, AR 265
5
58.4 mi into trip | ~1h 7m in | AR 265 / South Crossover Road

Turn left onto AR 265 / South Crossover Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 49 40.3 mi 40m
US 412 40.2 mi 46m
US 62 27.9 mi 31m
West Bowen Boulevard 12.5 mi 18m
US 65 12.4 mi 20m
AR 178 10 mi 17m
Main Street 5.9 mi 8m
I 540 5.7 mi 6m
Longest stretch: I 49 — 40.3 mi, about 40m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Fort Smith, AR and Bull Shoals, 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

40 mi · 40 min · I 49
Use the slight right lane.
7

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 43 sec
Toward AR 112, AR 265
8

Turn slight right onto AR 265

0.2 mi · 23 sec · South Cato Springs Road
9

Continue on South Razorback Road

0.8 mi · 1 min · South Razorback Road
10

Turn right onto AR 16

2.5 mi · 5 min · West 15th Street
11

Continue on AR 16

0.3 mi · 43 sec · South Happy Hollow Road
12

Continue on AR 16

0.5 mi · 1 min · East Huntsville Road
Use the left lane.
13

Turn left onto AR 265

2.4 mi · 4 min · South Crossover Road
Use the left lane.
14

Turn right onto AR 45

3.9 mi · 5 min · East Mission Boulevard
15

Continue on AR 45

12 mi · 18 min · West Bowen Boulevard
16

Turn straight onto US 412B

0.5 mi · 53 sec · US 412B
17

Turn right onto US 412

40 mi · 46 min · US 412
18

Continue on US 62; US 412

5.9 mi · 8 min · Main Street
Use the right lane.
19

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 22 sec
20

Turn right onto US 65

12 mi · 20 min · US 65
21

Continue on US 62; US 412

28 mi · 31 min · US 62; US 412
Use the left lane.
22

Turn left onto AR 178

10 mi · 17 min · AR 178
Use the left lane.
23

Turn left onto Broadway Avenue

36 ft · 1 sec · Broadway Avenue
24

Arrive at destination

Broadway Avenue

Trip Plan

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 87.2 miles from Fort Smith, AR, or about 1h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 40.3 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 38 miles or 42m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 87.2 miles or 1h 48m 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 59m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bull Shoals, 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 174.4 miles and 3h 41m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 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 I 49 for about 40.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 87.2 mi from Fort Smith, AR · 1h 48m into the drive

seat of Boone County, Arkansas, USA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Harrison, AR

87 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

Prairie Grove, AR

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Berryville, AR

Meal break

The midpoint is around 87.2 miles from Fort Smith, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Bull Shoals, AR

The final approach into Bull Shoals, 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 Bull Shoals, AR.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

George's Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Fort Smith, Arkansas

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+14797851199

Visit website

Phở Việtnam

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Fort Smith, Arkansas

0.8 mi

Neumeier's Whippoorwill Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Fort Smith, Arkansas

1.5 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Crossy Coffee

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Fort Smith, Arkansas

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+14792858615

Visit website

Panini Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Fort Smith, Arkansas

2.6 mi

West Fork Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

West Fork, Arkansas

2.9 mi

George's Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Fort Smith, Arkansas

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+14797851199

Visit website

Phở Việtnam

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Fort Smith, Arkansas

Hours: 10:30 am–8 pm

+14797823227

Visit website

Neumeier's Whippoorwill Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Fort Smith, Arkansas

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+14797692095

Visit website

Taste & See Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Fort Smith, Arkansas

Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm

+14797557414

Gallegos La Hacienda Mexican Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 87.2

Huntsville, Arkansas

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14797382000

Visit website

Garibaldi Mexican Restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 87.2

Huntsville, Arkansas

Hours: 11 am–8:30 pm

+14797381266

Visit website

Jamie's Local Flavor

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 124.6

Harrison, Arkansas

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+18703650421

Visit website

Lewis' Family Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20

Fort Smith, Arkansas

Hours: 6 am–3 pm

+14796464309

Crossy Coffee

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Fort Smith, Arkansas

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+14792858615

Visit website

Panini Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10

Fort Smith, Arkansas

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+14797631047

West Fork Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 49.8

West Fork, Arkansas

Hours: 6 am–3 pm

+14792943041

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$26.34 one way

$52.68 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 61 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $28.91 $57.83
premium $4.56 $31.30 $62.61
diesel $5.61 $38.51 $77.01

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$26

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$51–$76

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 61 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 52.3 0 $18.31 $8.37
Efficient EV 43.6 0 $15.26 $6.98
EV Truck/SUV 69.8 0 $24.42 $11.16

Gas CO2

61 kg

EV CO2

20 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Fort Smith, AR

Morning in Fort Smith on Saturday

Local time

7:38 AM

CDT

Current temp

76°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Bull Shoals, AR

Morning in Bull Shoals on Saturday

Local time

7:38 AM

CDT

Current temp

76°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

75°F

Harrison, AR

87 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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

3h 41m 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 Bull Shoals, AR covers 174.4 miles and takes about 3h 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 49, US 412, US 62. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 87.2 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 $26.34 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 174.4 miles you will encounter 14 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.

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

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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