Drive Time
5h 3m
Distance
274.2 mi
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
The drive from Fort Smith, AR to El Dorado, AR covers 274.2 miles and takes about 5h 3m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 540 North, I 40 East, US 167 South for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $37.24 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
137.1 miles from Fort Smith, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 31m into the drive .
Expect a 5h 3m drive with frequent turns across 274.2 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 540 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 40 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 167 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 167 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North West Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West Hillsboro Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Barton Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Smith, AR and El Dorado, AR.
Start on Grand Avenue
Turn left onto I 540 North, US 71 North
Merge slight left
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Little Rock, Memphis
Take the exit slight right
Keep slight left
Take the exit slight right toward US 167 South: Sheridan, Fordyce, El Dorado
Turn right
Keep slight left to continue on US 167: El Dorado
At the end of the road, turn left onto North West Avenue
Turn right onto West Hillsboro Street
Turn right onto Barton Street
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 137.1 miles or 2h 31m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near El Dorado, AR than in the middle of the route.
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 274.2 miles and 5h 3m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 137.1 mi from Fort Smith, AR · 2h 31m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
137 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 137.1 miles from Fort Smith, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into El Dorado, 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 El Dorado, AR.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$37.24 one way
$74.49 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.85 | $41.56 | $83.12 |
| premium | $4.15 | $44.80 | $89.60 |
| diesel | $3.75 | $40.48 | $80.96 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95.9 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 82.3 | 1 | $28.79 | $13.16 |
| Efficient EV | 68.6 | 0 | $23.99 | $10.97 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 109.7 | 1 | $38.39 | $17.55 |
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Fort Smith on Saturday
Local time
7:14 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in El Dorado on Saturday
Local time
7:14 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
65°F
Texarkana, TX
137 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
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Fort Smith, AR or browse trips ending in El Dorado, AR.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AR road trips.
Explore maps for Fort Smith, AR or El Dorado, AR on MapSof.net.