Trip from Gosnell, AR to Fort Smith, AR

Data updated 0 seconds ago

Drive Time

5h 50m

Distance

310.7 mi

500 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$47

one way

EV Charging

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station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

5h 37m ★

6 AM

5h 51m

8 AM

6h 17m

10 AM

6h 0m

12 PM

5h 57m

3 PM

6h 1m

5 PM

6h 15m

8 PM

5h 43m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

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Trip Overview

This 310.7-mile drive from Gosnell, Arkansas, to Fort Smith, Arkansas, will take approximately 5 hours and 50 minutes. It's a straightforward journey primarily utilizing I-40 and I-57, with a small portion on Highway 18. Given the duration and distance, this route is perfectly manageable as a single-day trip. You can expect to spend around $47 on fuel for this drive. The route stays within the Southeast region, making it a consistent experience without major regional shifts. It's a practical option for getting from point A to point B efficiently.

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

155.3 miles from Gosnell, AR

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 3m into the drive .

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Drive Character

This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 95% of the journey on interstates. You'll experience long, uninterrupted stretches, including one segment of 118.6 miles on I-40. The character of the drive is largely defined by these high-speed highway conditions, offering a consistent pace. While the majority is interstate, the brief involvement of Highway 18 might offer a slight change of scenery before rejoining the main arteries. Expect a functional and direct driving experience.

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.

I 40 is the longest continuous segment at about 118.6 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 57. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 3.7 miles in near US 78; AR 18 / West Main Street.

Route Complexity 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 310.7 miles you will encounter 12 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 3.7 miles (US 78; AR 18 / West Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 75.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 150 miles (US 64): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 12 key points

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

5

3.7 mi into trip | ~6m in | US 78; AR 18 / West Main Street

At end of road, turn right onto US 78; AR 18 / West Main Street

Navigation decision point

5

75.1 mi into trip | ~1h 38m in

Take the exit

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

5

150 mi into trip | ~2h 56m in | US 64

Take the exit onto US 64 toward US 64 West, I 57 Business North: Beebe, Conway

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

Toward US 64 West, I 57 Business North: Beebe,...

5

150.3 mi into trip | ~2h 57m in | US 64

Keep slight right at fork onto US 64 toward US 64 West: Conway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward US 64 West: Conway

5

302 mi into trip | ~5h 38m in | US 71

Take the exit onto US 71 toward I 540 South, US 71 South: Fort Smith

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

Toward I 540 South, US 71 South: Fort Smith

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Gosnell, AR to Fort Smith, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Conway along the way.

Conway

150 mi in | ~2h 56m | via US 64

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 40	118.6 mi	1h 58m
I 57	74.5 mi	1h 16m
Highway 18	50.8 mi	1h 7m
US 64	33 mi	42m
US 78	12.5 mi	14m
Southwest Drive	7.4 mi	8m
US 71	6.5 mi	7m
South Air Base Highway	3.3 mi	5m

Longest stretch: I 40 — 118.6 mi, about 1h 58m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Bevill Avenue

0.4 mi · 1 min · Bevill Avenue

2

At end of road, turn right onto AR 151

3.3 mi · 5 min · South Air Base Highway

3

At end of road, turn right onto US 78; AR 18

0.7 mi · 1 min · West Main Street

4

Continue on US 78; AR 18

51 mi · 1 hr 7 min · Highway 18

5

Turn left onto AR 18

7.4 mi · 8 min · Southwest Drive

6

Continue on US 78; AR 226

13 mi · 14 min · US 78; AR 226

7

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 47 sec

8

Merge onto I 57

75 mi · 1 hr 16 min · I 57

9

Take the exit onto US 64

0.4 mi · 49 sec · US 64

Toward US 64 West, I 57 Business North: Beebe, Conway

10

Keep slight right at fork onto US 64

33 mi · 41 min · US 64

Toward US 64 West: Conway

11

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 57 sec

12

Merge onto I 40; US 65

119 mi · 1 hr 58 min · I 40; US 65

13

Take the exit onto US 71

6.5 mi · 7 min · US 71

Toward I 540 South, US 71 South: Fort Smith

14

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 33 sec

Exit 6 Toward Grand Avenue

15

Turn right onto Grand Avenue

1.9 mi · 3 min · Grand Avenue

16

Arrive at destination

Grand Avenue

Trip Plan

For this 5 hour and 50 minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Gosnell to maximize your daylight and arrive in Fort Smith with time to spare. With just one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before embarking on the longest stretch of 118.6 miles on I-40, as services can be spread out. The $47 fuel cost is an estimate, so it's wise to budget slightly more. This route is well-suited for a single day, so you don't need to plan an overnight stay unless you wish to break up the journey.

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 155.3 miles from Gosnell, AR, or about 3h 3m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 118.6 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 80 miles or 1h 44m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 155.3 miles or 3h 3m 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 51m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fort Smith, AR than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Gosnell, 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 Gosnell, AR

This is one driving day of about 310.7 miles and 5h 50m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Gosnell, 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 40 for about 118.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 155.3 mi from Gosnell, AR · 3h 3m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Conway, AR

155 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

Bono, AR

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Conway, AR

Meal break

The midpoint is around 155.3 miles from Gosnell, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 118.6 miles.

Arriving in Fort Smith, AR

The final approach into Fort Smith, 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 Fort Smith, AR.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$46.92 one way

$93.85 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 109 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.21	$51.51	$103.02
premium	$4.56	$55.77	$111.53
diesel	$5.61	$68.60	$137.20

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$47

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$72–$97

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 108.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	93.2	1	$32.62	$14.91
Efficient EV	77.7	0	$27.19	$12.43
EV Truck/SUV	124.3	1	$43.50	$19.88

Gas CO2

109 kg

EV CO2

36 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.

Forecast data refreshed 5 hours ago

Origin

Gosnell, AR

Morning in Gosnell on Wednesday

Local time

7:16 AM

CDT

Current temp

77°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Fort Smith, AR

Morning in Fort Smith on Wednesday

Local time

7:16 AM

CDT

Current temp

76°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

1 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

5h 50m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Gosnell, AR to Fort Smith, AR covers 310.7 miles and takes about 5h 50m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 40, I 57, Highway 18. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 155.3 miles from Gosnell, AR. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $46.92 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 310.7 miles you will encounter 12 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 3.7 miles (US 78; AR 18 / West Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 75.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 150 miles (US 64): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

On the drive from Gosnell, AR to Fort Smith, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Conway along the way.