How far is Bowling Green, KY from Fort Smith, AR?
The driving distance from Bowling Green, KY to Fort Smith, AR is about 560.5 miles (902 km), with a travel time of about 09h 58m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 457.1 miles (735.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 19h 57m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 09h 58m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Arkansas, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Bowling Green and Fort Smith.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bowling Green and Fort Smith.
-
1
Start on the route
98 m · 25 sec
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2
Turn right onto Chestnut Street
95 m · 16 sec · Chestnut Street
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3
Turn left onto East 12th Avenue
1197 ft · 33 sec · East 12th Avenue
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4
Continue on Broadway Avenue
2856 ft · 1 min · Broadway Avenue
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5
Continue on Scottsville Road
3.1 mi · 5 min · Scottsville Road
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6
Take the ramp slight right
2232 ft · 55 sec
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7
Merge slight left
57.1 mi · 1 hr 2 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 65 South: Huntisville, Memphis
1735 ft · 33 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Downtown Loop
1.6 mi · 2 min · Downtown Loop
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10
Take the exit slight left toward I 40 West: Memphis
3193 ft · 49 sec
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11
Merge slight left
196.4 mi · 3 hr 33 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I 240 West, I 40 West: Jackson Mississippi, Little Rock
680 ft · 9 sec
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13
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 West: Little Rock
11.1 mi · 13 min
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14
Keep slight left
280 mi · 4 hr 46 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward I 540 South, US 71 South: Fort Smith
6.5 mi · 8 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward Grand Avenue
1259 ft · 34 sec
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17
Turn right onto Grand Avenue
1.9 mi · 4 min · Grand Avenue
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Grand Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bowling Green and Fort Smith.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 40 West
Keep slight left
280 mi · 04h 46m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Cloudy leaving Bowling Green and Rain Showers Likely near Fort Smith.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bowling Green to Fort Smith?
The road trip is about 560.5 miles (902 km) and usually takes 09h 58m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
West Memphis is a useful midpoint, sitting about 279.9 miles from Bowling Green and 280.5 miles from Fort Smith.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 457.1 miles (735.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 103.4 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 7:30 AM CDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $78.19 one way or $156.38 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 175.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Cloudy around Bowling Green and Rain Showers Likely near Fort Smith.
Stop Ideas Near West Memphis
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 West Memphis.
Central Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bowling Green and Fort Smith. Straight-line distance: 457.09 mi (735.61 km).
#1 Bowling Green
The most populous city in Warren County, Kentucky.
| Population | 70,631 |
| Coordinates | 36.9903200, -86.4436000 |
| Altitude | 161 |
| 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: Fort Smith (-94.39855, 35.38592)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 902 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 18h 40m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 14h 00m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 11h 12m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 09h 20m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 08h 00m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 06h 59m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.95 | $78.19 | $156.38 |
| Mid-grade | $4.54 | $89.82 | $179.64 |
| Premium | $4.99 | $98.62 | $197.25 |
| Diesel | $6.12 | $121.03 | $242.07 |
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 Kentucky · Oct 30, 2026