How far is Fort Smith, AR from Bowling Green, KY?
The driving distance from Fort Smith, AR to Bowling Green, KY is about 560.5 miles (902 km), with a travel time of about 09h 58m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 457.1 miles (735.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 19h 57m 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 09h 58m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Arkansas, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers Likely
Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fort Smith and Bowling Green.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Smith and Bowling Green.
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1
Start on Grand Avenue
2 mi · 4 min · Grand Avenue
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2
Turn left onto I 540 North, US 71 North
1595 ft · 41 sec
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3
Merge slight left
5.7 mi · 7 min
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4
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Little Rock, Memphis
147.4 mi · 2 hr 29 min
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5
Keep slight right to continue on Memphis
124.3 mi · 2 hr 6 min
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6
Keep slight left to continue on Blues Highway
1.3 km · 58 sec · Blues Highway
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7
Keep slight left
18 mi · 22 min
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 East: Nashville, Knoxville
197.9 mi · 3 hr 34 min
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 65 North: Louisville
1986 ft · 30 sec
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10
Continue on Downtown Loop
1.7 mi · 2 min · Downtown Loop
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 24 West, I 65 North: Clarksville, Louisville
8.9 mi · 11 min
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12
Continue straight
1170 ft · 14 sec
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13
Keep slight left
48.2 mi · 52 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward US 231: Scottsville, Bowling Green
1847 ft · 45 sec
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15
Keep slight left to continue on US 231: Scottsville, Bowling Green
155 m · 13 sec
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16
Turn left onto Scottsville Road
3.3 mi · 6 min · Scottsville Road
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17
Continue on Broadway Avenue
2857 ft · 1 min · Broadway Avenue
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18
Continue on East 12th Avenue
1659 ft · 52 sec · East 12th Avenue
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19
At the end of the road, turn right onto State Street
107 m · 12 sec · State Street
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20
Turn uturn
56 m · 16 sec
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fort Smith and Bowling Green.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 40 East
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 East: Nashville, Knoxville
198 mi · 03h 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.
Rain Showers Likely leaving Fort Smith and Cloudy near Bowling Green.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fort Smith to Bowling Green?
The road trip is about 560.5 miles (902 km) and usually takes 09h 58m 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?
West Memphis is a useful midpoint, sitting about 279.7 miles from Fort Smith and 280.8 miles from Bowling Green.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 457.1 miles (735.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 103.4 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 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 $75.36 one way or $150.72 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 175.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Fort Smith and Cloudy near Bowling Green.
Stop Ideas Near West Memphis
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 West Memphis.
Central Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fort Smith and Bowling Green. Straight-line distance: 457.09 mi (735.61 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 Bowling Green
The most populous city in Warren County, Kentucky.
| Population | 70,631 |
| Coordinates | 36.9903200, -86.4436000 |
| Altitude | 161 |
| Country | United States |
End: Bowling Green (-86.4436, 36.99032)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 902 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 18h 40m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 14h 00m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 11h 12m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 09h 20m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 08h 00m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 06h 59m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.81 | $75.36 | $150.72 |
| Mid-grade | $4.31 | $85.25 | $170.50 |
| Premium | $4.70 | $92.91 | $185.81 |
| Diesel | $5.90 | $116.74 | $233.48 |
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 · Oct 30, 2026