Origin
Hot Springs, AR
Evening in Hot Springs on Sunday
Local time
7:32 PM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Hot Springs, AR to Fort Smith, AR
Drive Time
2h 39m
Distance
128.2 mi
206 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 29m
★
6 AM
2h 39m
8 AM
3h 1m
10 AM
2h 47m
12 PM
2h 45m
3 PM
2h 48m
5 PM
2h 59m
8 PM
2h 33m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hot Springs, AR
Siarhei Nester
Trip Overview
The drive from Hot Springs, AR to Fort Smith, AR covers 128.2 miles and takes about 2h 39m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 71, Albert Pike Road, US 270 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 $19.60 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
64.1 miles from Hot Springs, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 17m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a 2h 39m highway drive covering 128.2 miles, with most of the trip on US 71 and Albert Pike Road. 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 14 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.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,033 ft
436 ft
Total Climb
1,029 ft
Total Descent
1,184 ft
Highest Point
1,033 ft
~59.8 mi in
Elevation Range
598 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 71 and Albert Pike Road. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 67.9 miles in near US 71.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Hot Springs, AR to Fort Smith, AR is easy. At 2h 39m with 68% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 67.9 miles (US 71): Navigation decision point; at 122.3 miles (US 71): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 123.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
67.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 22m in
|
US 71
At end of road, turn right onto US 71
Navigation decision point
4
122.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 28m in
|
US 71
Take the exit onto US 71 toward 540 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward 540 North
4
123.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 30m in
Take the exit toward Greenwood Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward Greenwood Road
4
124.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 31m in
|
AR 45 / Old Greenwood Road
Turn left onto AR 45 / Old Greenwood Road
Navigation decision point
3
127 mi into trip
|
~2h 36m in
|
AR 22 / Rogers Avenue
Turn left onto AR 22 / Rogers Avenue
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 71 | 56 mi | 1h 8m |
| Albert Pike Road | 34.9 mi | 40m |
| US 270 | 31.7 mi | 39m |
| Old Greenwood Road | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| West Grand Avenue | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| North Greenwood Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| South 31st Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Rogers Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 71
— 56 mi, about 1h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hot Springs, AR and Fort Smith, AR.
1
Start on US 70B; US 270B
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
West Grand Avenue
2
Turn left onto US 70B; US 270B
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
Summer Street
3
Turn straight onto US 70B; US 270B
35 mi
·
40 min
·
Albert Pike Road
4
Continue on US 270; AR 27
32 mi
·
39 min
·
US 270; AR 27
5
At end of road, turn right onto US 71
54 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
US 71
6
Take the exit onto US 71
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
US 71
Toward 540 North
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
Toward Greenwood Road
8
Turn left onto AR 45
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Old Greenwood Road
9
Continue on South 31st Street
0.5 mi
·
54 sec
·
South 31st Street
10
Continue on Old Greenwood Road
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Old Greenwood Road
11
Turn left onto AR 22
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
Rogers Avenue
12
Turn right onto North Greenwood Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North Greenwood Avenue
13
Turn right onto Grand Avenue
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
Grand Avenue
14
Arrive at destination
Grand Avenue
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 64.1 miles from Hot Springs, AR, or about 1h 17m 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 80 miles or 1h 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 64.1 miles or 1h 17m 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 7m
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 Hot Springs, 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 Hot Springs, AR
This is one driving day of about 128.2 miles and 2h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Hot Springs, 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 64.1 mi from Hot Springs, AR · 1h 17m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
64 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 64.1 miles from Hot Springs, 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.60 one way
$39.20 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
45 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $21.50 | $42.99 |
| premium | $4.61 | $23.27 | $46.54 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $28.48 | $56.96 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 38.5 | 0 | $13.46 | $6.15 |
| Efficient EV | 32.1 | 0 | $11.22 | $5.13 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 51.3 | 0 | $17.95 | $8.20 |
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 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.
Destination
Fort Smith, AR
Evening in Fort Smith on Sunday
Local time
7:32 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°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
2 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
2h 39m 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 Hot Springs, AR to Fort Smith, AR covers 128.2 miles and takes about 2h 39m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 71, Albert Pike Road, US 270. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 64.1 miles from Hot Springs, AR. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.60 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
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 Hot Springs, AR to Fort Smith, AR is easy. At 2h 39m with 68% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 67.9 miles (US 71): Navigation decision point; at 122.3 miles (US 71): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 123.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
The route from Hot Springs, AR to Fort Smith, AR does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Gently rolling terrain. The route ranges from 436 ft to 1,033 ft elevation with about 1,029 ft of total climbing.
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