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

The driving distance from Fort Smith, AR to Benton, AR is about 175.5 miles (282.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 36m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 117.2 miles (188.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 12m 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
175.46 mi
02h 36m
Flight
117.22 mi
188.65 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
117.22 mi
Kilometers
188.65 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
175.46 mi
Kilometers
282.37 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 Benton
Thu, Apr 30, 2:56 PM CDT
Return by in Fort Smith
Thu, Apr 30, 5:32 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Fort Smith
2026-04-30T12:20
Arrive Benton
Thu, Apr 30, 2:56 PM 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
10:36 AM to 12:36 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:18 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
Pottsville
AR

City in Pope County, Arkansas, United States

From Fort Smith
87.2 mi
01h 18m
To Benton
88.2 mi
01h 18m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
70°F
Thursday

Mostly Cloudy

Starts
Thu, Apr 30 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 mph E
Destination
68°F
Thursday

Mostly Cloudy

Starts
Thu, Apr 30 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 mph NE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    139.8 mi · 2 hr 20 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward I 430: Texarkana

    2643 ft · 41 sec

  6. 6

    Continue straight

    12.3 mi · 14 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on I 30 West: Texarkana

    12.1 mi · 13 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward AR 5, AR 35: Benton

    680 ft · 13 sec

  9. 9

    Turn straight onto I-30 Frontage Road

    1962 ft · 37 sec · I-30 Frontage Road

  10. 10

    Turn slight right onto Old Hot Springs Highway

    1071 ft · 28 sec · Old Hot Springs Highway

  11. 11

    Turn left

    1.1 mi · 2 min

  12. 12

    Turn right onto East Sevier Street

    117 m · 15 sec · East Sevier Street

  13. 13

    Turn right onto North Main Street

    4 m · 1 sec · North Main Street

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Main Street

Car Route Details

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

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
14 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 40 East
140 mi · 80%
I 430
12.8 mi · 7%
I 30 West
12.1 mi · 7%
I 540 North
6.04 mi · 3%
Grand Avenue
1.98 mi · 1%
I-30 Frontage Road
0.37 mi
Longest Stretch

I 40 East

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

140 mi · 02h 20m

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 12m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+58.3 mi
117.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Pottsville
01h 18m from Fort Smith
Leave By
1:18 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Cloudy leaving Fort Smith and Mostly Cloudy near Benton.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 175.5 miles (282.4 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?

Pottsville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 87.2 miles from Fort Smith and 88.2 miles from Benton.

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

The direct path is about 117.2 miles (188.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 58.3 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 1:18 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.44 one way or $46.88 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Fort Smith and Mostly Cloudy near Benton.

Stop Ideas Near Pottsville

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Pottsville, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Pottsville.

RAIL

Little Rock Union Station

89 mi away
1400 West Markham Street
RAIL

Malvern station

100 mi away
200 East First St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Fort Smith and Benton. Straight-line distance: 117.22 mi (188.65 km).

Fort Smith

#1 Fort Smith

The second most populous city in Sebastian County, Arkansas.

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

#2 Benton

City in Arkansas, USA

Population37,214
Coordinates34.5645400, -92.5868300
Altitude124
CountryUnited States
Start: Grand Avenue (-94.39855, 35.385923)
End: North Main Street (-92.58684, 34.56454)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 282 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 50m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 23m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 30m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 55m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 30m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 11m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.19 gal
23.44 L · about $23.44
Round trip
$46.88
12.38 gal · 46.88 L
Estimated CO2
55 kg one way
Round trip: 110 kg / 243 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $23.44 $46.88
Mid-grade $4.26 $26.36 $52.73
Premium $4.63 $28.63 $57.26
Diesel $5.42 $33.52 $67.04

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 30, 2026

There is no time difference between Fort Smith and Benton. The current time is 12:20:41.

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.