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

The driving distance from Fort Smith, AR to Decatur, AR is about 94.6 miles (152.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 51m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 65.7 miles (105.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 43m 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
94.62 mi
01h 51m
Flight
65.73 mi
105.78 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
65.73 mi
Kilometers
105.78 km
Flight Time
00h 07m

Driving Distance

Road route
94.62 mi
Kilometers
152.28 km
Drive Time
01h 51m

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 01h 51m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Decatur
Thu, Apr 23, 5:02 AM CDT
Return by in Fort Smith
Thu, Apr 23, 6:53 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Fort Smith
2026-04-23T03:10
Arrive Decatur
Thu, Apr 23, 5:02 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 51m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:52 AM to 11:52 AM CDT

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

Leave by
2:46 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
West Fork
AR

City in Arkansas, USA

From Fort Smith
47.3 mi
00h 55m
To Decatur
47.3 mi
00h 55m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph S
Destination
77°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    4.6 mi · 5 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward I 49 North: Fayetteville

    1.2 km · 2 min

  6. 6

    Continue straight

    46.4 mi · 47 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight left

    4.9 mi · 5 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward US 412

    1473 ft · 31 sec

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on US 412

    59 m · 13 sec

  10. 10

    Turn left onto West Sunset Avenue

    1.5 mi · 3 min · West Sunset Avenue

  11. 11

    Continue on East Henri de Tonti Boulevard

    16.4 mi · 21 min · East Henri de Tonti Boulevard

  12. 12

    Take the exit right

    103 m · 6 sec

  13. 13

    Turn slight right

    11.7 mi · 17 min

  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 Decatur.

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
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
14.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 49 North
52 mi · 55%
East Henri de Tonti Boulevard
16.5 mi · 17%
I 540 North
6.04 mi · 6%
I 40 East
4.59 mi · 5%
Grand Avenue
1.98 mi · 2%
West Sunset Avenue
1.55 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

I 49 North

Continue straight

46.4 mi · 00h 47m

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
01h 51m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 44m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+28.9 mi
65.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
West Fork
00h 55m from Fort Smith
Leave By
2:46 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Fort Smith and Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Decatur.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 94.6 miles (152.3 km) and usually takes 01h 51m 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?

West Fork is a useful midpoint, sitting about 47.3 miles from Fort Smith and 47.3 miles from Decatur.

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

The direct path is about 65.7 miles (105.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.9 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 2:46 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.65 one way or $25.30 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 29.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Fort Smith and Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Decatur.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Fort Smith and Decatur. Straight-line distance: 65.73 mi (105.78 km).

Fort Smith

#1 Fort Smith

The second most populous city in Sebastian County, Arkansas.

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

#2 Decatur

City in Benton County, Arkansas, United States

Population1,790
Coordinates36.3359100, -94.4607700
Altitude377
CountryUnited States
Start: Fort Smith (-94.39855, 35.38592)
End: Decatur (-94.46077, 36.33591)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 152 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 09m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 21m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 53m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 34m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 21m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 10m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.34 gal
12.64 L · about $12.65
Round trip
$25.30
6.68 gal · 25.28 L
Estimated CO2
29.7 kg one way
Round trip: 59.4 kg / 131 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $12.65 $25.30
Mid-grade $4.26 $14.23 $28.45
Premium $4.63 $15.45 $30.90
Diesel $5.42 $18.09 $36.17

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Fort Smith and Decatur. The current time is 03:10:42.

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.