How far is Austin, AR from Fort Smith, AR?

The driving distance from Austin, AR to Fort Smith, AR is about 159.1 miles (256 km), with a travel time of about 02h 35m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 138.9 miles (223.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 11m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
159.05 mi
02h 35m
Flight
138.95 mi
223.62 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Austin.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
138.95 mi
Kilometers
223.62 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
159.05 mi
Kilometers
255.96 km
Drive Time
02h 35m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 02h 35m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Fort Smith
Tue, Apr 14, 10:19 PM CDT
Return by in Austin
Wed, Apr 15, 12:55 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Austin
2026-04-14T19:44
Arrive Fort Smith
Tue, Apr 14, 10:19 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 35m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:36 AM to 12:36 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:18 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Austin
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Russellville
AR

City in Arkansas

From Austin
79.9 mi
01h 17m
To Fort Smith
79.2 mi
01h 17m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
85°F
Tuesday

Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph SSW
Destination
80°F
Tuesday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Austin and Fort Smith.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Austin and Fort Smith.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    67 m · 18 sec

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn right

    25 m · 2 sec

  3. 3

    Turn left

    1.1 km · 1 min

  4. 4

    Take the ramp left

    2086 ft · 51 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    3 mi · 3 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward AR 89: Cabot

    1111 ft · 27 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight left

    61 m · 10 sec

  8. 8

    Turn left onto West Main Street

    2.1 mi · 4 min · West Main Street

  9. 9

    Continue on State Highway 89

    4.1 mi · 7 min · State Highway 89

  10. 10

    Continue on Tates Mill Road

    1311 ft · 26 sec · Tates Mill Road

  11. 11

    Turn right onto State Highway 107

    7.9 mi · 13 min · State Highway 107

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Vilonia Bypass

    6.5 mi · 8 min · Vilonia Bypass

  13. 13

    Continue on State Highway 64

    5.4 mi · 7 min · State Highway 64

  14. 14

    Continue on East Oak Street

    1.6 mi · 3 min · East Oak Street

  15. 15

    Take the exit straight

    2355 ft · 57 sec

  16. 16

    Merge slight left

    118.6 mi · 1 hr 59 min

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right toward I 540 South, US 71 South: Fort Smith

    6.5 mi · 8 min

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right toward Grand Avenue

    1259 ft · 34 sec

  19. 19

    Turn right onto Grand Avenue

    1.9 mi · 4 min · Grand Avenue

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Grand Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Austin and Fort Smith.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
20 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
2 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
East Oak Street
121 mi · 76%
State Highway 107
7.93 mi · 5%
I 540 South
6.53 mi · 4%
Vilonia Bypass
6.48 mi · 4%
State Highway 64
5.41 mi · 3%
State Highway 89
4.08 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

East Oak Street

Merge slight left

119 mi · 01h 59m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 35m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 12m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+20.2 mi
138.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Russellville
01h 17m from Austin
Leave By
1:18 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Austin and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Fort Smith.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Austin to Fort Smith?

The road trip is about 159.1 miles (256 km) and usually takes 02h 35m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Russellville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 79.9 miles from Austin and 79.2 miles from Fort Smith.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 138.9 miles (223.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.2 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:18 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.25 one way or $42.49 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Austin and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Fort Smith.

Stop Ideas Near Russellville

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Russellville, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Russellville.

RAIL

Little Rock Union Station

97 mi away
1400 West Markham Street
RAIL

Malvern station

106 mi away
200 East First St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Austin and Fort Smith. Straight-line distance: 138.95 mi (223.62 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Austin

Austin is a place in Arkansas, United States.

Population0
Coordinates34.9984200, -91.9837600
Altitude75
CountryUnited States
Fort Smith

#2 Fort Smith

The second most populous city in Sebastian County, Arkansas.

Population87,764
Coordinates35.3859200, -94.3985500
Altitude134
CountryUnited States
Start: (-91.983847, 34.998482)
End: Grand Avenue (-94.39855, 35.385923)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 256 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 17m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 58m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 10m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 39m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 16m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 59m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.61 gal
21.24 L · about $21.25
Round trip
$42.49
11.22 gal · 42.48 L
Estimated CO2
49.9 kg one way
Round trip: 99.7 kg / 220 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $21.25 $42.49
Mid-grade $4.26 $23.89 $47.79
Premium $4.63 $25.95 $51.89
Diesel $5.42 $30.38 $60.76

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Arkansas · Apr 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Austin and Fort Smith. The current time is 19:44:12.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.