How far is Fort Smith, AR from Carlisle, AR?
The driving distance from Fort Smith, AR to Carlisle, AR is about 184.8 miles (297.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 12m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 155.6 miles (250.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 25m 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 03h 12m.
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.
City in Arkansas
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 Carlisle.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Smith and Carlisle.
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1
Start on Grand Avenue
2 mi · 4 min · Grand Avenue
-
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
-
4
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Little Rock, Memphis
147.4 mi · 2 hr 29 min
-
5
Keep slight right to continue on Memphis
27.9 mi · 29 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward AR 13: Carlisle
1340 ft · 37 sec
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7
At the end of the road, turn left onto Bobby L Glover Highway
2476 ft · 55 sec · Bobby L Glover Highway
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8
Turn left onto West 10th Street
945 ft · 26 sec · West 10th Street
-
9
Continue on North Williams Avenue
2000 ft · 1 min · North Williams Avenue
-
10
Turn left onto West 4th Street
111 m · 12 sec · West 4th Street
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11
Turn right onto North Court Avenue
909 ft · 25 sec · North Court Avenue
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12
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Court Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fort Smith and Carlisle.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 40 East
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Little Rock, Memphis
147 mi · 02h 29m
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 Fort Smith and Sunny near Carlisle.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fort Smith to Carlisle?
The road trip is about 184.8 miles (297.4 km) and usually takes 03h 12m 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?
Atkins is a useful midpoint, sitting about 92.3 miles from Fort Smith and 92.5 miles from Carlisle.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 155.6 miles (250.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.2 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 10:34 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.69 one way or $49.38 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 57.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Fort Smith and Sunny near Carlisle.
Stop Ideas Near Atkins
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 Atkins.
Little Rock Union Station
Malvern station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fort Smith and Carlisle. Straight-line distance: 155.62 mi (250.44 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 Carlisle
City in Arkansas, USA
| Population | 2,154 |
| Coordinates | 34.7831500, -91.7465200 |
| Altitude | 70 |
| Country | United States |
End: Carlisle (-91.74652, 34.78315)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 297 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 09m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 37m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 41m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 04m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 38m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $24.69 | $49.38 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $27.77 | $55.54 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $30.15 | $60.31 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $35.31 | $70.61 |
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 · May 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.