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

The driving distance from Fort Smith, AR to Austin, AR is about 133.9 miles (215.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 36m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 105.5 miles (169.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 13m 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
133.89 mi
02h 36m
Flight
105.48 mi
169.76 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Fort Smith.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
105.48 mi
Kilometers
169.76 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
133.89 mi
Kilometers
215.47 km
Drive Time
02h 36m

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 02h 36m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Austin
Wed, Apr 15, 1:35 AM CDT
Return by in Fort Smith
Wed, Apr 15, 4:11 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Fort Smith
2026-04-14T22:58
Arrive Austin
Wed, Apr 15, 1:35 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 36m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:37 AM to 12:37 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:16 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Fort Smith
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
Lamar
AR

City in Arkansas, USA

From Fort Smith
66.9 mi
01h 18m
To Austin
67 mi
01h 18m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Tuesday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph S
Destination
64°F
Tonight

Mostly Cloudy

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 10:00 PM CDT
Wind
5 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Grand Avenue

    2 mi · 4 min · Grand Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn left onto I 540 North, US 71 North

    1595 ft · 41 sec

  3. 3

    Merge slight left

    5.7 mi · 7 min

  4. 4

    Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Little Rock, Memphis

    100.4 mi · 1 hr 41 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right

    1833 ft · 45 sec

  6. 6

    Keep slight left

    45 m · 4 sec

  7. 7

    Turn straight onto State Highway 9

    25.1 mi · 44 min · State Highway 9

  8. 8

    Turn sharp left onto Austin Road

    37 m · 5 sec · Austin Road

  9. 9

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Austin Road

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Fort Smith and Austin.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
9 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
6.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 40 East
101 mi · 75%
State Highway 9
25.1 mi · 19%
I 540 North
6.04 mi · 5%
Grand Avenue
1.98 mi · 1%
Austin Road
0.02 mi
Longest Stretch

I 40 East

Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Little Rock, Memphis

100 mi · 01h 41m

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
02h 36m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 14m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+28.4 mi
105.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lamar
01h 18m from Fort Smith
Leave By
1:16 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Fort Smith and Mostly Cloudy near Austin.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 133.9 miles (215.5 km) and usually takes 02h 36m 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?

Lamar is a useful midpoint, sitting about 66.9 miles from Fort Smith and 67 miles from Austin.

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

The direct path is about 105.5 miles (169.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:16 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.87 one way or $35.75 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 41.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Fort Smith and Mostly Cloudy near Austin.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Fort Smith and Austin. Straight-line distance: 105.48 mi (169.76 km).

Fort Smith

#1 Fort Smith

The second most populous city in Sebastian County, Arkansas.

Population87,764
Coordinates35.3859200, -94.3985500
Altitude134
CountryUnited States
Austin

#2 Austin

City in Arkansas, USA

Population4,504
Coordinates35.4420200, -92.5265500
Altitude249
CountryUnited States
Start: Fort Smith (-94.39855, 35.38592)
End: Austin (-92.52655, 35.44202)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 215 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 27m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 20m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 40m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 13m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 54m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 40m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.72 gal
17.88 L · about $17.87
Round trip
$35.75
9.44 gal · 35.76 L
Estimated CO2
41.9 kg one way
Round trip: 83.9 kg / 185 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $17.87 $35.75
Mid-grade $4.26 $20.10 $40.20
Premium $4.63 $21.83 $43.66
Diesel $5.42 $25.56 $51.12

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 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Fort Smith and Austin. The current time is 22:58:20.

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.