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Trip from Fort Smith, AR to Highland, AR

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

Drive Time

3h 24m

Distance

145.3 mi

234 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$22

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
3h 12m ★
6 AM
3h 25m
8 AM
3h 49m
10 AM
3h 33m
12 PM
3h 31m
3 PM
3h 34m
5 PM
3h 48m
8 PM
3h 17m

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 Highland, AR, AR

Highland, AR

Rámon van Raaij

Trip Overview

The drive from Fort Smith, AR to Highland, AR covers 145.3 miles and takes about 3h 24m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 71, US 270, AR 27 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 54.9 miles on US 71. At current regular gas prices, budget about $21.94 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

72.7 miles from Fort Smith, AR

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 30m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 24m. Total distance: 145.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (77%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

This is a 3h 24m highway drive covering 145.3 miles, with most of the trip on US 71 and US 270. The longest continuous stretch is about 54.9 miles on US 71.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 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 54.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 71 and US 270. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 7.4 miles in near US 71.

Driving Effort 2/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The drive from Fort Smith, AR to Highland, AR is easy. At 3h 24m with 77% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 7.4 miles (US 71): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 94.3 miles (AR 27 / Bridge Street): Navigation decision point; at 115.8 miles (US 70B; AR 8 / West Broadway Street): Navigation decision point.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 9 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

4
7.4 mi into trip | ~10m in | US 71

Take the exit onto US 71 toward US 71 South: Texarkana

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward US 71 South: Texarkana
4
94.3 mi into trip | ~1h 57m in | AR 27 / Bridge Street

Turn right onto AR 27 / Bridge Street

Navigation decision point

4
115.8 mi into trip | ~2h 34m in | US 70B; AR 8 / West Broadway Street

Turn right onto US 70B; AR 8 / West Broadway Street

Navigation decision point

5
116.2 mi into trip | ~2h 35m in | US 70; AR 8 / Elm Street

At end of road, turn right onto US 70; AR 8 / Elm Street

Navigation decision point

4
145.3 mi into trip | ~3h 24m in | Pike County 210 Road/Gyp Mine Road

Turn left onto Pike County 210 Road/Gyp Mine Road

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 71 54.9 mi 1h 7m
US 270 32 mi 39m
AR 27 18.8 mi 33m
East Main Street 13 mi 22m
Elm Street 9.2 mi 13m
Bridge Street 8.2 mi 14m
I 540 5.2 mi 5m
Grand Avenue 1.9 mi 3m
Longest stretch: US 71 — 54.9 mi, about 1h 7m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Fort Smith, AR and Highland, AR.

1

Start on Grand Avenue

1.9 mi · 3 min · Grand Avenue
2

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 37 sec
3

Merge onto I 540; US 71

5.2 mi · 5 min · I 540; US 71
4

Take the exit onto US 71

0.3 mi · 44 sec · US 71
Toward US 71 South: Texarkana
5

Turn left onto US 71

55 mi · 1 hr 6 min · US 71
6

Turn left onto US 270

32 mi · 39 min · US 270
7

Turn right onto AR 27

8.2 mi · 14 min · Bridge Street
8

Continue on AR 27

0.3 mi · 35 sec · North Main Street
9

Turn left onto AR 8

13 mi · 22 min · East Main Street
10

Turn right onto US 70B; AR 8

361 ft · 7 sec · West Broadway Street
11

Continue on US 70B; AR 8

0.3 mi · 33 sec · Elm Street
12

At end of road, turn right onto US 70; AR 8

8.9 mi · 13 min · Elm Street
13

Continue on AR 27

19 mi · 33 min · AR 27
14

Turn right onto AR 26

1.5 mi · 2 min · State Highway 26
15

Turn left onto Pike County 210 Road/Gyp Mine Road

29 ft · 1 sec · Pike County 210 Road/Gyp Mine Road
16

Arrive at destination

Pike County 210 Road/Gyp Mine Road

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 72.7 miles from Fort Smith, AR, or about 1h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.9 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 32 miles or 40m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 72.7 miles or 1h 30m 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 40m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Highland, 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 145.3 miles and 3h 24m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 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 US 71 for about 54.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 72.7 mi from Fort Smith, AR · 1h 30m into the drive

city in Polk County, Arkansas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Mena, AR

73 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

Greenwood, AR

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Mena, AR

Meal break

The midpoint is around 72.7 miles from Fort Smith, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Highland, AR

The final approach into Highland, 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 Highland, 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

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

Lewis' Family Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 10.4

Fort Smith, Arkansas

Hours: 6 am–3 pm

+14796464309

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$21.94 one way

$43.89 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 51 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $24.09 $48.18
premium $4.56 $26.08 $52.16
diesel $5.61 $32.08 $64.16

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$22

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$47–$72

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 50.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 43.6 0 $15.26 $6.97
Efficient EV 36.3 0 $12.71 $5.81
EV Truck/SUV 58.1 0 $20.34 $9.30

Gas CO2

51 kg

EV CO2

17 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 16, 2026

Origin

Fort Smith, AR

Morning in Fort Smith on Saturday

Local time

7:49 AM

CDT

Current temp

80°F

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

S 10 mph 32% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 1:49PM CDT by NWS Little Rock AR

Destination

Highland, AR

Morning in Highland on Saturday

Local time

7:49 AM

CDT

Current temp

73°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

7 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

3h 24m on the road

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Fort Smith, AR to Highland, AR covers 145.3 miles and takes about 3h 24m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are US 71, US 270, AR 27. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 72.7 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 $21.94 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.

The drive from Fort Smith, AR to Highland, AR is easy. At 3h 24m with 77% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

The main spots that need attention: at 7.4 miles (US 71): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 94.3 miles (AR 27 / Bridge Street): Navigation decision point; at 115.8 miles (US 70B; AR 8 / West Broadway Street): Navigation decision point.

The route from Fort Smith, AR to Highland, 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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