Origin
Mulberry, AR
Late night in Mulberry on Monday
Local time
3:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Mulberry, AR to Fort Smith, AR
Drive Time
31m
Distance
25.3 mi
41 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Excellent
4 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 29m
★
6 AM
0h 31m
8 AM
0h 37m
10 AM
0h 33m
12 PM
0h 33m
3 PM
0h 34m
5 PM
0h 36m
8 PM
0h 30m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Mulberry, AR
Chris F
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick transition between Mulberry and Fort Smith, Arkansas, this 25.3-mile trip is a straightforward task. Expect to spend about 31 minutes behind the wheel, making it an ideal day trip that requires no overnight planning. With an estimated fuel cost of just $4, it is an incredibly budget-friendly way to move across the Southeast region. The route is highly efficient, relying primarily on major thoroughfares to get you from point A to point B. Whether you are commuting or just passing through, this short stretch is designed for utility and speed rather than leisure. You can easily complete this journey in a single morning or afternoon, leaving you plenty of flexibility for the rest of your day.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
12.6 miles from Mulberry, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 15m into the drive .
Drive Character
This highway-focused drive keeps you moving, with 78% of your journey spent on high-speed roads. You will rely on a combination of I-40, US-71, and Mulberry Highway West to navigate the 25.3-mile distance. The longest uninterrupted stretch occurs during your 12-mile run on I-40, where you can maintain a steady pace. As you transition between these main roads, the character of the drive shifts from regional highway driving to the more structured environment of the interstate. It is a functional, no-nonsense route that prioritizes efficiency over technical winding roads, ensuring a predictable experience for any driver.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 12 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 12 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
535 ft
402 ft
Total Climb
223 ft
Total Descent
189 ft
Highest Point
535 ft
~14.4 mi in
Elevation Range
133 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and US 71. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near AR 917 / North Main Street.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 31m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (AR 917 / North Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (US 64 / West 6th Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.8 miles (Georgia Ridge Drive): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
AR 917 / North Main Street
Turn right onto AR 917 / North Main Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 64 / West 6th Street
Turn left onto US 64 / West 6th Street
Navigation decision point
3
3.8 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
Georgia Ridge Drive
Turn right onto Georgia Ridge Drive
Navigation decision point
5
16.6 mi into trip
|
~19m 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
5
23.1 mi into trip
|
~27m in
Take the exit toward Grand Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 6
Toward Grand Avenue
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 12 mi | 11m |
| US 71 | 6.5 mi | 7m |
| Mulberry Highway West | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| Grand Avenue | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| Mulberry Highway 64 West | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Georgia Ridge Drive | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| West 6th Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| North Main Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 12 mi, about 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mulberry, AR and Fort Smith, AR.
1
Start on East 5th Street
89 ft
·
6 sec
·
East 5th Street
2
Turn right onto North Main Street
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
North Main Street
3
Turn left onto West 6th Street
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
West 6th Street
4
Turn straight onto Mulberry Highway 64 West
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Mulberry Highway 64 West
5
Continue on Mulberry Highway West
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Mulberry Highway West
6
Turn right onto Georgia Ridge Drive
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
Georgia Ridge Drive
7
Take the ramp left
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
8
Merge slight left
12 mi
·
12 min
9
Take the exit slight right toward I 540 South, US 71 South: Fort Smith
6.5 mi
·
7 min
·
I 540 South, US 71 South: Fort Smith
10
Take the exit slight right toward Grand Avenue
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
Grand Avenue
11
Turn right onto Grand Avenue
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Grand Avenue
12
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a short 31-minute excursion, you have the advantage of total schedule flexibility. You do not need to worry about planning formal stops, as the entire route is easily manageable in one go. Keep in mind that with I-40 serving as your primary artery, traffic patterns on the interstate will be the biggest factor in your total travel time. Budgeting approximately $4 for fuel should be more than enough to cover the distance, but checking your tire pressure before departing is a smart way to ensure that fuel efficiency stays high. Because there are no mandatory stops required for a drive of this length, you can focus on timing your departure to avoid local rush hour congestion in the Fort Smith area.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 12.6 miles from Mulberry, AR, or about 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 12 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 25.3 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 12.6 miles or 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 25m
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 Mulberry, 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 Mulberry, AR
This is one driving day of about 25.3 miles and 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Mulberry, AR.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 12 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 12.6 mi from Mulberry, AR · 15m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
13 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 25.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 12.6 miles from Mulberry, 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
$3.87 one way
$7.74 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
9 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $4.24 | $8.48 |
| premium | $4.61 | $4.59 | $9.18 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $5.62 | $11.24 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$29–$54
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 8.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
EV Charging Along Route
4 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent
Harps - Tesla Supercharger
Alma, AR
Tesla
12 DCFC
Van Buren, AR - Tesla Supercharger
Van Buren, AR
Tesla
6 DCFC
Harry Robinson Buick-GMC
FORT SMITH, AR
EV Connect
2 DCFC
Orr Cadillac
Fort Smith, AR
EV Connect
2 DCFC
Tesla: 2
EV Connect: 2
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 7.6 | 0 | $2.66 | $1.21 |
| Efficient EV | 6.3 | 0 | $2.21 | $1.01 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 10.1 | 0 | $3.54 | $1.62 |
Gas CO2
9 kg
EV CO2
3 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
Late night in Fort Smith on Monday
Local time
3:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 5 to 10 mph
15% chance
Live forecast
Along the Route
63°F
Garland, TX
13 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
10 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
31m 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 Mulberry, AR to Fort Smith, AR covers 25.3 miles and takes about 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, US 71, Mulberry Highway West. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 12.6 miles from Mulberry, AR. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $3.87 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.
This is a straightforward 31m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (AR 917 / North Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (US 64 / West 6th Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.8 miles (Georgia Ridge Drive): Navigation decision point.
The route from Mulberry, AR to Fort Smith, AR does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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