Trip from North Crossett, AR to Fort Smith, AR

Drive Time

5h 11m

Distance

284.6 mi

458 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$44

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 58m ★
6 AM
5h 11m
8 AM
5h 38m
10 AM
5h 21m
12 PM
5h 18m
3 PM
5h 22m
5 PM
5h 37m
8 PM
5h 3m

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

Downtown North Crossett, AR, AR

North Crossett, AR

Wolfgang Weiser

Trip Overview

The drive from North Crossett, AR to Fort Smith, AR covers 284.6 miles and takes about 5h 11m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 65, US 425, Wiley A Branton Sr Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 145.7 miles on US 65. At current regular gas prices, budget about $43.51 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

142.3 miles from North Crossett, AR

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 44m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 5h 11m highway drive covering 284.6 miles, with most of the trip on US 65 and US 425. The longest continuous stretch is about 145.7 miles on US 65.

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.
US 65 is the longest continuous segment at about 145.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 65 and US 425. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 81.7 miles in.

Route Complexity 5/10

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

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 284.6 miles you will encounter 10 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 81.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 130.2 miles (US 65): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 130.5 miles (US 65): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 10 key points

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

6
81.7 mi into trip | ~1h 40m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 530 North, US 65 North

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 530 North, US 65 North
7
130.2 mi into trip | ~2h 31m in | US 65

Keep slight left at fork onto US 65 toward I 40 West, US 65 North, AR 107 North: Conway, Fort Smith

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 143A Toward I 40 West, US 65 North, AR 107 North: Co...
6
130.5 mi into trip | ~2h 32m in | US 65

Keep slight left at fork onto US 65

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
276 mi into trip | ~4h 59m 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
282.5 mi into trip | ~5h 7m 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
US 65 145.7 mi 2h 27m
US 425 41.4 mi 49m
Wiley A Branton Sr Highway 26.9 mi 28m
Highway 530 23.4 mi 27m
I 530 16.8 mi 16m
US 82 7.7 mi 9m
AR 52 7.4 mi 13m
US 71 6.5 mi 7m
Longest stretch: US 65 — 145.7 mi, about 2h 27m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on West Pierce Street

8 ft · 1 sec · West Pierce Street
2

Turn slight left onto AR 52

7.4 mi · 13 min · AR 52
3

At end of road, turn left onto US 82; US 425

7.7 mi · 9 min · US 82; US 425
4

Continue on US 425; AR 8

41 mi · 49 min · US 425; AR 8
5

Turn left onto AR 11

1.7 mi · 1 min · Highway 11
6

Turn right onto AR 530

23 mi · 27 min · Highway 530
7

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 38 sec
Toward I 530 North, US 65 North
8

Merge onto I 530; US 63; US 65; US 79

27 mi · 28 min · Wiley A Branton Sr Highway
9

Continue on I 530; US 65

17 mi · 16 min · I 530; US 65
10

Continue on I 30; US 65; US 67; US 167

4.2 mi · 5 min · I 30; US 65; US 67; US 167
11

Keep slight left at fork onto US 65

0.3 mi · 35 sec · US 65
Exit 143A Toward I 40 West, US 65 North, AR 107 North: Conway, Fort Smith
12

Keep slight left at fork onto US 65

145 mi · 2 hr 26 min · US 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
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

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 142.3 miles from North Crossett, AR, or about 2h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 145.7 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 38m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 142.3 miles or 2h 44m 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 16m

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 North Crossett, 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 North Crossett, AR

This is one driving day of about 284.6 miles and 5h 11m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from North Crossett, 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 65 for about 145.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 142.3 mi from North Crossett, AR · 2h 44m into the drive

Downtown Texarkana, TX, TX

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Texarkana, TX

142 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

Memphis, TN

Fuel and coffee

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

Texarkana, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 142.3 miles from North Crossett, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 65 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 145.7 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

$43.51 one way

$87.02 round trip

$3.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 100 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.26 $47.72 $95.44
premium $4.61 $51.65 $103.31
diesel $5.64 $63.23 $126.46

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$44

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$69–$94

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 99.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 85.4 1 $29.88 $13.66
Efficient EV 71.2 0 $24.90 $11.38
EV Truck/SUV 113.8 1 $39.84 $18.21

Gas CO2

100 kg

EV CO2

33 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 4 days ago

Origin

North Crossett, AR

Morning in North Crossett on Monday

Local time

11:41 AM

CDT

Current temp

63°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Fort Smith, AR

Morning in Fort Smith on Monday

Local time

11:41 AM

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

6 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 11m 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 North Crossett, AR to Fort Smith, AR covers 284.6 miles and takes about 5h 11m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 65, US 425, Wiley A Branton Sr Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 142.3 miles from North Crossett, AR. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $43.51 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 284.6 miles you will encounter 10 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 81.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 130.2 miles (US 65): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 130.5 miles (US 65): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from North Crossett, AR to Fort Smith, AR does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Return Trip

Fort Smith, AR to North Crossett, AR

Plan the drive back the other way.

284.5 mi 5h 10m

Explore more options from North Crossett, AR or browse trips ending in Fort Smith, AR.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AR road trips.

Explore maps for North Crossett, AR or Fort Smith, AR on MapSof.net.