How far is Bay, AR from Fort Smith, AR?
The driving distance from Bay, AR to Fort Smith, AR is about 266.8 miles (429.3 km), with a travel time of about 04h 14m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 217 miles (349.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 28m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 04h 14m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
The most populous city in Faulkner County, Arkansas.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Bay and Fort Smith.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bay and Fort Smith.
-
1
Start on North Main Street
913 ft · 23 sec · North Main Street
-
2
Turn left onto Elder Street
1085 ft · 25 sec · Elder Street
-
3
Turn right
1 mi · 2 min
-
4
Take the ramp left
1140 ft · 28 sec
-
5
Merge slight left onto Joe N Martin Expressway
9.9 mi · 11 min · Joe N Martin Expressway
-
6
Take the exit slight right
948 ft · 23 sec
-
7
Turn right onto Alexander Drive
139 m · 10 sec · Alexander Drive
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8
Turn right onto Southwest Drive
6.4 mi · 7 min · Southwest Drive
-
9
Continue straight
12.5 mi · 14 min
-
10
Take the exit sharp left
1938 ft · 47 sec
-
11
Merge slight left
74.5 mi · 1 hr 17 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward US 64 West, I 57 Business North: Beebe, Conway
2037 ft · 50 sec
-
13
Keep slight right to continue on US 64 West: Conway
32.6 mi · 42 min
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14
Take the exit straight
2355 ft · 57 sec
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15
Merge slight left
118.6 mi · 1 hr 59 min
-
16
Take the exit slight right toward I 540 South, US 71 South: Fort Smith
6.5 mi · 8 min
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17
Take the exit slight right toward Grand Avenue
1259 ft · 34 sec
-
18
Turn right onto Grand Avenue
1.9 mi · 4 min · Grand Avenue
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Grand Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bay and Fort Smith.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
US 64 West
Merge slight left
119 mi · 01h 59m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Sunny leaving Bay and Sunny near Fort Smith.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bay to Fort Smith?
The road trip is about 266.8 miles (429.3 km) and usually takes 04h 14m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Conway is a useful midpoint, sitting about 133 miles from Bay and 133.8 miles from Fort Smith.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 217 miles (349.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 49.8 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:32 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.64 one way or $71.27 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 83.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Bay and Sunny near Fort Smith.
Stop Ideas Near Conway
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Conway.
Little Rock Union Station
Malvern station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bay and Fort Smith. Straight-line distance: 217 mi (349.23 km).
#1 Bay
City in Craighead County, Arkansas, United States
| Population | 1,816 |
| Coordinates | 35.7423000, -90.5623300 |
| Altitude | 70 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Fort Smith
The second most populous city in Sebastian County, Arkansas.
| Population | 87,764 |
| Coordinates | 35.3859200, -94.3985500 |
| Altitude | 134 |
| Country | United States |
End: Grand Avenue (-94.39855, 35.385923)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 429 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 53m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 40m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 20m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 26m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 48m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 19m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $35.64 | $71.27 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $40.08 | $80.15 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $43.52 | $87.04 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $50.96 | $101.91 |
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 · May 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.