How far is Denton, TX from Fort Smith, AR?
The driving distance from Denton, TX to Fort Smith, AR is about 274.7 miles (442.1 km), with a travel time of about 05h 09m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 216.5 miles (348.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 18m 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 05h 09m.
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.
High school in Stringtown, Atoka County, Oklahoma
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 Denton and Fort Smith.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Denton and Fort Smith.
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1
Start on West Hickory Street
56 m · 15 sec · West Hickory Street
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2
Turn left onto North Locust Street
1.8 mi · 4 min · North Locust Street
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3
Turn left onto North Elm Street Connector
119 m · 17 sec · North Elm Street Connector
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4
Keep slight right to continue on North Elm Street
3 mi · 4 min · North Elm Street
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5
Turn right onto North Interstate 35
1569 ft · 31 sec · North Interstate 35
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6
Take the ramp straight toward I 35 North
1122 ft · 27 sec
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7
Merge slight left
25.2 mi · 25 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward US 82: Wichita Falls, Sherman
751 ft · 18 sec
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9
Turn straight onto North Interstate 35
1.2 km · 1 min · North Interstate 35
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10
Turn right onto Summitt Avenue
12.6 mi · 15 min · Summitt Avenue
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11
Continue on Highway 82
18.8 mi · 21 min · Highway 82
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12
Take the exit slight right toward US 75: Denison, Dallas
760 ft · 19 sec
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13
Turn straight onto East Highway 82
1594 ft · 42 sec · East Highway 82
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14
Turn left onto North Sam Rayburn Freeway
2949 ft · 1 min · North Sam Rayburn Freeway
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15
Take the ramp slight left
934 ft · 23 sec
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16
Merge slight left onto North Sam Rayburn Freeway
18.4 mi · 19 min · North Sam Rayburn Freeway
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17
Continue on US 69 North, US 75 North: Durant
1.1 mi · 1 min
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18
Continue on US 69 North, US 75 North: Durant
26.4 mi · 29 min
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19
Continue on US 69 North, US 75 North: Atoka
5.9 mi · 6 min
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20
Continue on South Jefferson Street
2.3 mi · 3 min · South Jefferson Street
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21
Continue straight
36.1 mi · 42 min
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22
Continue straight
11.6 mi · 16 min
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23
Keep slight left to continue on South George Nigh Expressway
40.5 mi · 45 min · South George Nigh Expressway
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24
Take the exit slight right toward I 40 East: Fort Smith
3139 ft · 1 min
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25
Merge slight left onto Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
59.7 mi · 1 hr 1 min · Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
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26
Take the exit slight right toward US 64: Roland, Fort Smith
2140 ft · 53 sec
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27
Merge slight left onto West Ray Fine Boulevard
6.3 mi · 9 min · West Ray Fine Boulevard
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28
Turn left onto North 11th Street
1083 ft · 25 sec · North 11th Street
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29
Turn slight right onto Grand Avenue
1.1 mi · 2 min · Grand Avenue
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30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Grand Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Denton 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.
Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
Merge slight left onto Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
59.7 mi · 01h 01m
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 Denton 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 Denton to Fort Smith?
The road trip is about 274.7 miles (442.1 km) and usually takes 05h 09m 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?
Stringtown is a useful midpoint, sitting about 137.4 miles from Denton and 137.3 miles from Fort Smith.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 216.5 miles (348.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 58.2 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:42 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $36.62 one way or $73.24 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 86.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Denton and Sunny near Fort Smith.
Stop Ideas Near Stringtown
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 Stringtown.
Ardmore station
Pauls Valley
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Denton and Fort Smith. Straight-line distance: 216.46 mi (348.36 km).
#1 Denton
The seventh most populous city in Texas.
| Population | 147,515 |
| Coordinates | 33.2148400, -97.1330700 |
| Altitude | 201 |
| 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: 442 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 09m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 52m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 29m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 34m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 55m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 25m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $36.62 | $73.24 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $41.20 | $82.40 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $44.49 | $88.97 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $38.69 | $77.38 |
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 Texas · Aug 03, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.