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Trip from Highland, AR to Fort Smith, AR

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

3h 24m

Distance

143.3 mi

231 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$22

one way

EV Charging

Fair

2 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
3h 13m ★
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 Highland, AR to Fort Smith, AR covers 143.3 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 56 miles on US 71. At current regular gas prices, budget about $21.64 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

71.7 miles from Highland, AR

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 53m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 24m. Total distance: 143.3 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 (88%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

This is a 3h 24m highway drive covering 143.3 miles, with most of the trip on US 71 and US 270. The longest continuous stretch is about 56 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 19 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 56 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 early in the drive near AR 26 / State Highway 26.

Driving Effort 2/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The drive from Highland, AR to Fort Smith, AR is easy. At 3h 24m with 88% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (AR 26 / State Highway 26): Navigation decision point; at 1.5 miles (AR 27): Navigation decision point; at 29.5 miles (AR 8 / North 1st Street): Navigation decision point.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 12 key points

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

4
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | AR 26 / State Highway 26

Turn right onto AR 26 / State Highway 26

Navigation decision point

4
1.5 mi into trip | ~2m in | AR 27

At end of road, turn left onto AR 27

Navigation decision point

4
29.5 mi into trip | ~49m in | AR 8 / North 1st Street

Turn left onto AR 8 / North 1st Street

Navigation decision point

4
51 mi into trip | ~1h 27m in | US 270; AR 27

Turn left onto US 270; AR 27

Navigation decision point

4
83 mi into trip | ~2h 7m in | US 71

At end of road, turn right onto US 71

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 71 56 mi 1h 8m
US 270 32 mi 39m
AR 27 27.2 mi 47m
North 1st Street 13 mi 22m
US 70 8.9 mi 13m
Old Greenwood Road 2.3 mi 4m
State Highway 26 1.5 mi 2m
North Greenwood Avenue 0.7 mi 1m
Longest stretch: US 71 — 56 mi, about 1h 8m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Pike County 210 Road/Gyp Mine Road

29 ft · 6 sec · Pike County 210 Road/Gyp Mine Road
2

Turn right onto AR 26

1.5 mi · 2 min · State Highway 26
3

At end of road, turn left onto AR 27

19 mi · 32 min · AR 27
4

Continue on US 70

8.9 mi · 13 min · US 70
5

Continue on US 70B; AR 8

0.3 mi · 31 sec · Elm Street
6

Continue on US 70B; AR 8

361 ft · 14 sec · West Broadway Street
7

Turn left onto AR 8

13 mi · 22 min · North 1st Street
8

Turn right onto AR 27

8.5 mi · 14 min · AR 27
9

Turn left onto US 270; AR 27

32 mi · 39 min · US 270; AR 27
10

At end of road, turn right onto US 71

54 mi · 1 hr 6 min · US 71
11

Take the exit onto US 71

1.6 mi · 2 min · US 71
Toward 540 North
12

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 37 sec
Toward Greenwood Road
13

Turn left onto AR 45

2.1 mi · 3 min · Old Greenwood Road
14

Continue on South 31st Street

0.5 mi · 54 sec · South 31st Street
15

Continue on Old Greenwood Road

0.2 mi · 27 sec · Old Greenwood Road
16

Turn left onto AR 22

0.3 mi · 45 sec · Rogers Avenue
17

Turn right onto North Greenwood Avenue

0.7 mi · 1 min · North Greenwood Avenue
18

Turn right onto Grand Avenue

0.3 mi · 27 sec · Grand Avenue
19

Arrive at destination

Grand 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 71.7 miles from Highland, AR, or about 1h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 56 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 54m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 71.7 miles or 1h 53m 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 49m

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 Highland, 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 Highland, AR

This is one driving day of about 143.3 miles and 3h 24m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Highland, 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 56 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 71.7 mi from Highland, AR · 1h 53m into the drive

city in Polk County, Arkansas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Mena, AR

72 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

Murfreesboro, 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 71.7 miles from Highland, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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.

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 end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 143.3

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 end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 143.3

Fort Smith, Arkansas

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+14797851199

Visit website

Phở Việtnam

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 143.3

Fort Smith, Arkansas

Hours: 10:30 am–8 pm

+14797823227

Visit website

Neumeier's Whippoorwill Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 143.3

Fort Smith, Arkansas

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+14797692095

Visit website

Lewis' Family Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 143.3

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

$21.64 one way

$43.28 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 50 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $23.76 $47.51
premium $4.56 $25.72 $51.44
diesel $5.61 $31.64 $63.28

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: 50.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

2 DC fast chargers · Coverage: fair

Orr Cadillac

Fort Smith, AR

EV Connect

2 DCFC

Harry Robinson Buick-GMC

FORT SMITH, AR

EV Connect

2 DCFC

EV Connect: 2

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 43 0 $15.05 $6.88
Efficient EV 35.8 0 $12.54 $5.73
EV Truck/SUV 57.3 0 $20.06 $9.17

Gas CO2

50 kg

EV CO2

17 kg (66% 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

Highland, AR

Afternoon in Highland on Thursday

Local time

3:42 PM

CDT

Current temp

73°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Fort Smith, AR

Afternoon in Fort Smith on Thursday

Local time

3:42 PM

CDT

Current temp

80°F

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

S 10 mph 32% chance 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 warmer 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 Highland, AR to Fort Smith, AR covers 143.3 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 71.7 miles from Highland, AR. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $21.64 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 Highland, AR to Fort Smith, AR is easy. At 3h 24m with 88% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (AR 26 / State Highway 26): Navigation decision point; at 1.5 miles (AR 27): Navigation decision point; at 29.5 miles (AR 8 / North 1st Street): Navigation decision point.
The route from Highland, AR to Fort Smith, AR does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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