Origin
Texarkana, AR
Morning in Texarkana on Friday
Local time
11:43 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Texarkana, 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 48m
Distance
180 mi
290 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 35m
★
6 AM
3h 48m
8 AM
4h 13m
10 AM
3h 57m
12 PM
3h 54m
3 PM
3h 58m
5 PM
4h 12m
8 PM
3h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Texarkana, AR
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Embarking on a 180-mile journey from Texarkana, AR, to Fort Smith, AR, will take you approximately 3 hours and 48 minutes of driving time. This route, primarily utilizing US 71, North Lakeside Drive, and Main Street, is well-suited for a single day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. With an estimated fuel cost of $27, it's an economical choice for exploring within Arkansas. The drive offers a mixed experience, providing a good balance for a comfortable travel day. You'll be traversing within the Southeast region of Arkansas for the entirety of this trip.
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
90 miles from Texarkana, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 56m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 48m. Total distance: 180 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (44%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
This drive presents a mixed character, with 44% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 71.5 miles on US 71, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of the trip. Expect a blend of faster highway driving and potentially more local road navigation as you approach your destination. The road's personality shifts subtly throughout the drive, moving from more open stretches to potentially more built-up areas as you get closer to Fort Smith.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 17 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 71.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near County Avenue.
Driving Effort
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Texarkana, AR to Fort Smith, AR is easy. At 3h 48m with 44% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (County Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (East 24th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles (US 71 / North State Line Avenue): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 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
|
County Avenue
Turn right onto County Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East 24th Street
Turn left onto East 24th Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
US 71 / North State Line Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto US 71 / North State Line Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
53 mi into trip
|
~1h 13m in
|
US 59; US 71 / North Lakeside Drive
Turn right onto US 59; US 71 / North Lakeside Drive
Navigation decision point
4
174.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 36m in
|
US 71
Take the exit onto US 71 toward 540 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward 540 North
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 71 | 71.5 mi | 1h 25m |
| North Lakeside Drive | 51.2 mi | 59m |
| Main Street | 24.3 mi | 32m |
| North State Line Avenue | 20.2 mi | 27m |
| US 59 | 8 mi | 11m |
| Old Greenwood Road | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| North Greenwood Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| South 31st Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 71
— 71.5 mi, about 1h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Texarkana, AR and Fort Smith, AR.
1
Start on East 20th Street
180 ft
·
9 sec
·
East 20th Street
2
Turn right onto County Avenue
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
County Avenue
3
Turn left onto East 24th Street
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
East 24th Street
4
At end of road, turn right onto US 71
20 mi
·
27 min
·
North State Line Avenue
5
Continue on US 59; US 71
24 mi
·
32 min
·
Main Street
6
Continue on US 59; US 70; US 71; US 371
8.0 mi
·
11 min
·
US 59; US 70; US 71; US 371
7
Turn right onto US 59; US 71
51 mi
·
59 min
·
North Lakeside Drive
8
Continue on US 71; US 270
70 mi
·
1 hr 23 min
·
US 71; US 270
9
Take the exit onto US 71
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
US 71
Toward 540 North
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
Toward Greenwood Road
11
Turn left onto AR 45
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Old Greenwood Road
12
Continue on South 31st Street
0.5 mi
·
54 sec
·
South 31st Street
13
Continue on Old Greenwood Road
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Old Greenwood Road
14
Turn left onto AR 22
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
Rogers Avenue
15
Turn right onto North Greenwood Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North Greenwood Avenue
16
Turn right onto Grand Avenue
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
Grand Avenue
17
Arrive at destination
Grand Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 3-hour and 48-minute duration, this trip is ideal for a single-day adventure, offering flexibility in your departure time. Aim to leave in the morning to maximize your daylight hours, especially if you plan any brief stops. You'll want to keep an eye on your fuel levels, particularly during the longest stretch on US 71, as services might be more spread out. Planning for one stop along the way should be sufficient for a break or to refuel if needed. Be aware that the transition from highway to local roads can sometimes involve changes in speed limits and traffic patterns as you enter Fort Smith.
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 90 miles from Texarkana, AR, or about 1h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 71.5 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 40 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 90 miles or 1h 56m 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 5m
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 Texarkana, 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 Texarkana, AR
This is one driving day of about 180 miles and 3h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 miles from Texarkana, 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 71.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 90 mi from Texarkana, AR · 1h 56m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
90 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 40 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 90 miles from Texarkana, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 71 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 71.5 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.18 one way
$54.37 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
63 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $29.84 | $59.68 |
| premium | $4.56 | $32.31 | $64.62 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $39.74 | $79.48 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 63 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 54 | 0 | $18.90 | $8.64 |
| Efficient EV | 45 | 0 | $15.75 | $7.20 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 72 | 0 | $25.20 | $11.52 |
Gas CO2
63 kg
EV CO2
21 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
Morning in Fort Smith on Friday
Local time
11:43 AM
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
1 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
3h 48m 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 Texarkana, AR to Fort Smith, AR covers 180 miles and takes about 3h 48m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 71, North Lakeside Drive, Main Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 90 miles from Texarkana, AR. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $27.18 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.
The drive from Texarkana, AR to Fort Smith, AR is easy. At 3h 48m with 44% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (County Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (East 24th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles (US 71 / North State Line Avenue): Navigation decision point.
The route from Texarkana, AR to Fort Smith, AR does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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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