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

The driving distance from Fort Smith, AR to Clinton, AR is about 147.3 miles (237.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 59m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 110 miles (177 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 58m 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
147.3 mi
02h 59m
Flight
109.95 mi
176.95 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
109.95 mi
Kilometers
176.95 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
147.3 mi
Kilometers
237.06 km
Drive Time
02h 59m

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 59m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Clinton
Sat, Apr 11, 12:46 AM CDT
Return by in Fort Smith
Sat, Apr 11, 3:46 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Fort Smith
2026-04-10T21:47
Arrive Clinton
Sat, Apr 11, 12:46 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 59m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:59 AM to 12:59 PM CDT

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

Leave by
12:32 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
London
AR

City in Pope County, Arkansas, United States

From Fort Smith
73.6 mi
01h 29m
To Clinton
73.7 mi
01h 29m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
82°F
Friday

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Fri, Apr 10 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 mph S
Destination
82°F
Friday

Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Fri, Apr 10 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    33.5 mi · 59 min · State Highway 9

  8. 8

    Turn left onto US Highway 65

    4.5 mi · 7 min · US Highway 65

  9. 9

    Turn left

    2060 ft · 47 sec

  10. 10

    Turn left onto Main Street

    39 m · 4 sec · Main Street

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on Yellowjacket Lane

    586 ft · 16 sec · Yellowjacket Lane

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Yellowjacket Lane

Car Route Details

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

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
12 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 40 East
101 mi · 68%
State Highway 9
33.5 mi · 23%
I 540 North
6.04 mi · 4%
US Highway 65
4.5 mi · 3%
Grand Avenue
1.98 mi · 1%
Yellowjacket Lane
0.11 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 59m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 58m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+37.3 mi
110 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
London
01h 29m from Fort Smith
Leave By
12:32 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Fort Smith and Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Clinton.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 147.3 miles (237.1 km) and usually takes 02h 59m 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?

London is a useful midpoint, sitting about 73.6 miles from Fort Smith and 73.7 miles from Clinton.

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

The direct path is about 110 miles (177 km), while the road route adds roughly 37.3 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 12:32 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.69 one way or $39.38 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 46.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Fort Smith and Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Clinton.

Stop Ideas Near London

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around London, 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 London.

RAIL

Little Rock Union Station

109 mi away
1400 West Markham Street
RAIL

Malvern station

114 mi away
200 East First St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Fort Smith and Clinton. Straight-line distance: 109.95 mi (176.95 km).

Fort Smith

#1 Fort Smith

The second most populous city in Sebastian County, Arkansas.

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

#2 Clinton

City in Arkansas, United States

Population2,506
Coordinates35.5914700, -92.4604400
Altitude172
CountryUnited States
Start: Fort Smith (-94.39855, 35.38592)
End: Clinton (-92.46044, 35.59147)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 237 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 54m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 40m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 56m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 27m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 06m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 50m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.2 gal
19.68 L · about $19.69
Round trip
$39.38
10.4 gal · 39.36 L
Estimated CO2
46.2 kg one way
Round trip: 92.4 kg / 204 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $19.69 $39.38
Mid-grade $4.26 $22.15 $44.29
Premium $4.63 $24.05 $48.10
Diesel $5.42 $28.16 $56.32

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 11, 2026

There is no time difference between Fort Smith and Clinton. The current time is 21:47:26.

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.