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

The driving distance from Decatur, AR to Fort Smith, AR is about 93.4 miles (150.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 37m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 65.7 miles (105.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 15m 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
93.42 mi
01h 37m
Flight
65.73 mi
105.78 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Decatur.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
65.73 mi
Kilometers
105.78 km
Flight Time
00h 07m

Driving Distance

Road route
93.42 mi
Kilometers
150.34 km
Drive Time
01h 37m

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 01h 37m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Fort Smith
Thu, Apr 23, 4:32 AM CDT
Return by in Decatur
Thu, Apr 23, 6:10 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Decatur
2026-04-23T02:54
Arrive Fort Smith
Thu, Apr 23, 4:32 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 37m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:38 AM to 11:38 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:14 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Decatur
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
West Fork
AR

City in Arkansas, USA

From Decatur
47.2 mi
00h 48m
To Fort Smith
46.2 mi
00h 48m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
77°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph S
Destination
80°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on North Main Street

    7.3 mi · 11 min · North Main Street

  2. 2

    Continue on AR 59

    4.3 mi · 6 min · AR 59

  3. 3

    Continue straight

    128 m · 15 sec

  4. 4

    At the end of the road, turn left

    17.8 mi · 23 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit right

    1291 ft · 16 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    51.4 mi · 53 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on I 40 West: Van Buren, Fort Smith

    1596 ft · 25 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    4.3 mi · 4 min

  9. 9

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

    6.5 mi · 8 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward Grand Avenue

    1259 ft · 34 sec

  11. 11

    Turn right onto Grand Avenue

    1.9 mi · 4 min · Grand Avenue

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Grand Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Decatur 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
12 steps
2 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
AR 59
56.1 mi · 60%
North Main Street
7.3 mi · 8%
I 540 South
6.53 mi · 7%
I 40 West
4.58 mi · 5%
Grand Avenue
2.14 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

AR 59

Merge slight left

51.4 mi · 00h 53m

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
01h 37m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+27.7 mi
65.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
West Fork
00h 48m from Decatur
Leave By
3:14 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

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

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 93.4 miles (150.3 km) and usually takes 01h 37m 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?

West Fork is a useful midpoint, sitting about 47.2 miles from Decatur and 46.2 miles from Fort Smith.

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

The direct path is about 65.7 miles (105.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.7 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 3:14 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.50 one way or $24.99 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 29.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Decatur and Fort Smith. Straight-line distance: 65.73 mi (105.78 km).

Decatur

#1 Decatur

City in Benton County, Arkansas, United States

Population1,790
Coordinates36.3359100, -94.4607700
Altitude377
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: North Main Street (-94.460709, 36.335909)
End: Grand Avenue (-94.39855, 35.385923)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 150 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 06m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 20m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 52m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 33m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 20m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 09m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.3 gal
12.48 L · about $12.50
Round trip
$24.99
6.6 gal · 24.96 L
Estimated CO2
29.3 kg one way
Round trip: 58.7 kg / 129 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $12.50 $24.99
Mid-grade $4.26 $14.05 $28.11
Premium $4.63 $15.26 $30.53
Diesel $5.42 $17.87 $35.74

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Decatur and Fort Smith. The current time is 02:54:42.

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.