How far is Fort Smith, AR from Athens, TX?
The driving distance from Fort Smith, AR to Athens, TX is about 311.7 miles (501.7 km), with a travel time of about 06h 12m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 235.2 miles (378.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 25m 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 06h 12m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
City in 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 Fort Smith and Athens.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Smith and Athens.
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1
Start on Grand Avenue
1.2 mi · 2 min · Grand Avenue
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2
Turn slight right onto North B Street
2376 ft · 1 min · North B Street
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3
Turn left onto North 3rd Street
736 ft · 25 sec · North 3rd Street
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4
Turn right onto Garrison Avenue
6 mi · 9 min · Garrison Avenue
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5
Take the exit slight left toward I 40 West: Oklahoma City
1276 ft · 32 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
60 mi · 1 hr 2 min · Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward US 69 South: Eufaula, McAlester, Dallas
1445 ft · 35 sec
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8
Merge slight left
46.1 mi · 53 min
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9
Turn left onto OK 375 South
1540 ft · 38 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Indian Nation Turnpike
63.1 mi · 1 hr 5 min · Indian Nation Turnpike
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11
Continue on Jake Pulliam Bypass
2.9 mi · 3 min · Jake Pulliam Bypass
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12
Take the exit slight right toward US 271: Hugo, Paris
1208 ft · 29 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on US 271 North: Hugo
102 m · 12 sec
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14
Turn right
24 mi · 28 min
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15
Turn right onto Graham Street
88 m · 9 sec · Graham Street
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16
Turn left onto 1st Street Northwest
1173 ft · 24 sec · 1st Street Northwest
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17
Continue on 1st Street Southwest
1.1 km · 1 min · 1st Street Southwest
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18
Turn left onto West Hearne Avenue
799 ft · 16 sec · West Hearne Avenue
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19
Turn right onto South Church Street
15 mi · 17 min · South Church Street
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20
Turn left onto State Highway 19
19.3 mi · 22 min · State Highway 19
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21
Turn right onto Hillcrest Drive North
7.7 mi · 12 min · Hillcrest Drive North
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22
Continue straight
63.3 mi · 1 hr 34 min
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23
Turn right onto East Tyler Street
119 m · 14 sec · East Tyler Street
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24
Turn left onto North Prairieville Street
59 m · 3 sec · North Prairieville Street
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Prairieville Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fort Smith and Athens.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Hillcrest Drive North
Continue straight
63.3 mi · 01h 34m
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.
Sunny leaving Fort Smith and Sunny near Athens.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fort Smith to Athens?
The road trip is about 311.7 miles (501.7 km) and usually takes 06h 12m 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?
Antlers is a useful midpoint, sitting about 156 miles from Fort Smith and 155.7 miles from Athens.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 235.2 miles (378.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 76.5 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 $41.66 one way or $83.31 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 97.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Fort Smith and Sunny near Athens.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fort Smith and Athens. Straight-line distance: 235.16 mi (378.46 km).
#1 Fort Smith
The second most populous city in Sebastian County, Arkansas.
| Population | 87,764 |
| Coordinates | 35.3859200, -94.3985500 |
| Altitude | 134 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Athens
City in Texas
| Population | 12,770 |
| Coordinates | 32.2048700, -95.8555200 |
| Altitude | 149 |
| Country | United States |
End: Athens (-95.85552, 32.20487)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 502 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 23m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 47m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 14m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 11m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 27m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 53m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $41.66 | $83.31 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $46.85 | $93.70 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $50.88 | $101.75 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $59.57 | $119.13 |
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 · Aug 01, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.