Drive Time
2h 58m
Distance
151.4 mi
244 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
Photo: Shea B
The drive from Malvern, AR to Fort Smith, AR covers 151.4 miles and takes about 2h 58m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on South Main Street, Martin Luther King Boulevard, Oliver Lancaster Boulevard for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $20.56 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
75.7 miles from Malvern, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 29m into the drive .
Expect a 2h 58m drive with frequent turns across 151.4 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Main Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Martin Luther King Boulevard | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Oliver Lancaster Boulevard | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Martin Luther King Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Malvern Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Doctor Martin Luther King | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Albert Pike Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 540 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Malvern, AR and Fort Smith, AR.
Start on the route
Turn right
Turn left onto South Main Street
Continue on Martin Luther King Boulevard
Continue on Oliver Lancaster Boulevard
Continue on Martin Luther King Road
Continue on Malvern Avenue
Take the exit left
Merge slight left onto Doctor Martin Luther King, Junior Expressway
Keep slight right
Turn sharp left onto Albert Pike Road
Continue straight
At the end of the road, turn right
Take the exit slight right toward 540 North
Take the exit slight right toward Greenwood Road
Turn left onto Old Greenwood Road
Continue on South 31st Street
Continue on Old Greenwood Road
Turn left onto Rogers Avenue
Turn right onto North Greenwood Avenue
Turn right onto Grand Avenue
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 75.7 miles or 1h 29m 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 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fort Smith, AR than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Malvern, 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 Malvern, AR
This is one driving day of about 151.4 miles and 2h 58m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 75.7 mi from Malvern, AR · 1h 29m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
76 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 75.7 miles from Malvern, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$20.56 one way
$41.13 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.85 | $22.95 | $45.90 |
| premium | $4.15 | $24.74 | $49.47 |
| diesel | $3.75 | $22.35 | $44.70 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 45.4 | 0 | $15.90 | $7.27 |
| Efficient EV | 37.9 | 0 | $13.25 | $6.06 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 60.6 | 0 | $21.20 | $9.69 |
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Malvern on Saturday
Local time
9:17 AM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Fort Smith on Saturday
Local time
9:17 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
65°F
Texarkana, TX
76 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
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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