How far is Fort Smith, AR from Cave City, AR?
The driving distance from Fort Smith, AR to Cave City, AR is about 235.7 miles (379.4 km), with a travel time of about 04h 29m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 164.5 miles (264.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 58m 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 04h 29m.
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.
Human settlement in Conway County, Arkansas, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fort Smith and Cave City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Smith and Cave City.
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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
-
4
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Little Rock, Memphis
119.2 mi · 1 hr 59 min
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5
Take the exit slight right toward US 64
1242 ft · 30 sec
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6
Keep slight left
65 m · 8 sec
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7
Turn left onto East Oak Street
1.8 mi · 3 min · East Oak Street
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8
Continue on State Highway 64
5.4 mi · 7 min · State Highway 64
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9
Continue on Vilonia Bypass
25.9 mi · 32 min · Vilonia Bypass
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10
Take the exit slight left
26.9 mi · 27 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward US 64 East, US 67 North: Bald Knob, Batesville
1533 ft · 46 sec
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12
Turn left
33 mi · 44 min
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13
Continue on South Saint Louis Street
14.4 mi · 22 min · South Saint Louis Street
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14
Continue on South Main Street
2745 ft · 48 sec · South Main Street
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15
Turn left onto West Center Street
4 m · 1 sec · West Center Street
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Center Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fort Smith and Cave City.
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
119 mi · 01h 59m
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 Cave City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fort Smith to Cave City?
The road trip is about 235.7 miles (379.4 km) and usually takes 04h 29m 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?
Menifee is a useful midpoint, sitting about 117.7 miles from Fort Smith and 117.9 miles from Cave City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 164.5 miles (264.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 71.2 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 8:02 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $31.51 one way or $63.02 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 73.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Fort Smith and Sunny near Cave City.
Stop Ideas Near Menifee
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 Menifee.
Little Rock Union Station
Malvern station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fort Smith and Cave City. Straight-line distance: 164.53 mi (264.78 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 Cave City
City in Oregon, USA
| Population | 1,927 |
| Coordinates | 35.9417400, -91.5484700 |
| Altitude | 206 |
| Country | United States |
End: Cave City (-91.54847, 35.94174)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 379 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 51m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 53m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 55m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 22m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 56m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $31.51 | $63.02 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $35.43 | $70.87 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $38.48 | $76.96 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $45.05 | $90.11 |
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 · Jun 03, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.