Origin
Southside, AR
Night in Southside on Friday
Local time
9:15 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Southside, AR to Fort Smith, AR
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 57m
Distance
215.7 mi
347 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 44m
★
6 AM
3h 57m
8 AM
4h 23m
10 AM
4h 6m
12 PM
4h 4m
3 PM
4h 7m
5 PM
4h 22m
8 PM
3h 49m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Southside, AR
WoodysMedia
Trip Overview
The drive from Southside, AR to Fort Smith, AR covers 215.7 miles and takes about 3h 57m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 40, US 64, Batesville Boulevard for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 118.6 miles on I 40. At current regular gas prices, budget about $32.58 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
107.8 miles from Southside, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 6m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 57m. Total distance: 215.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
This is a 3h 57m highway drive covering 215.7 miles, with most of the trip on I 40 and US 64. The longest continuous stretch is about 118.6 miles on I 40.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 10 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 118.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and US 64. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 27.9 miles in near US 167.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 57m 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: at 27.9 miles (US 167): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 55 miles (US 64): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 55.3 miles (US 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
27.9 mi into trip
|
~35m in
|
US 167
Take the exit onto US 167
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
5
55 mi into trip
|
~1h 2m in
|
US 64
Take the exit onto US 64 toward US 64 West, I 57 Business North: Beebe, Conway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 64 West, I 57 Business North: Beebe,...
5
55.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 3m in
|
US 64
Keep slight right at fork onto US 64 toward US 64 West: Conway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 64 West: Conway
5
207 mi into trip
|
~3h 45m 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
213.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 53m in
Take the exit toward Grand Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 6
Toward Grand Avenue
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Southside, AR to Fort Smith, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Conway along the way.
Conway
55 mi in
|
~1h 2m
|
via US 64
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 118.6 mi | 1h 58m |
| US 64 | 33 mi | 42m |
| Batesville Boulevard | 27.9 mi | 35m |
| US 167 | 27.1 mi | 27m |
| US 71 | 6.5 mi | 7m |
| Grand Avenue | 1.9 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 118.6 mi, about 1h 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Southside, AR and Fort Smith, AR.
1
Start on US 167
28 mi
·
35 min
·
Batesville Boulevard
2
Take the exit onto US 167
27 mi
·
27 min
·
US 167
3
Take the exit onto US 64
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
US 64
Toward US 64 West, I 57 Business North: Beebe, Conway
4
Keep slight right at fork onto US 64
33 mi
·
41 min
·
US 64
Toward US 64 West: Conway
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
6
Merge onto I 40; US 65
119 mi
·
1 hr 58 min
·
I 40; US 65
7
Take the exit onto US 71
6.5 mi
·
7 min
·
US 71
Toward I 540 South, US 71 South: Fort Smith
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 6
Toward Grand Avenue
9
Turn right onto Grand Avenue
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Grand Avenue
10
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 107.8 miles from Southside, AR, or about 2h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 118.6 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 47 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107.8 miles or 2h 6m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 15m
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 Southside, 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 Southside, AR
This is one driving day of about 215.7 miles and 3h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Southside, 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 I 40 for about 118.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 107.8 mi from Southside, AR · 2h 6m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
108 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 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 107.8 miles from Southside, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 118.6 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
$32.58 one way
$65.15 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
76 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $35.76 | $71.52 |
| premium | $4.56 | $38.72 | $77.43 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $47.62 | $95.25 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 64.7 | 0 | $22.65 | $10.35 |
| Efficient EV | 53.9 | 0 | $18.87 | $8.63 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 86.3 | 1 | $30.20 | $13.80 |
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 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
Night in Fort Smith on Friday
Local time
9:15 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°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
3h 57m 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 Southside, AR to Fort Smith, AR covers 215.7 miles and takes about 3h 57m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 40, US 64, Batesville Boulevard. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 107.8 miles from Southside, AR. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $32.58 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.
This is a straightforward 3h 57m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 27.9 miles (US 167): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 55 miles (US 64): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 55.3 miles (US 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
On the drive from Southside, AR to Fort Smith, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Conway along the way.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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