How far is Fort Smith, AR from Des Arc, AR?
The driving distance from Fort Smith, AR to Des Arc, AR is about 189.5 miles (304.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 42m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 166.3 miles (267.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 24m 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 42m.
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.
Mostly Cloudy
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fort Smith and Des Arc.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Smith and Des Arc.
-
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
-
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
-
5
Take the exit slight right toward US 64
1242 ft · 30 sec
-
6
Keep slight left
65 m · 8 sec
-
7
Turn left onto East Oak Street
1.8 mi · 3 min · East Oak Street
-
8
Continue on State Highway 64
5.4 mi · 7 min · State Highway 64
-
9
Continue on Vilonia Bypass
26.1 mi · 33 min · Vilonia Bypass
-
10
Continue straight
1.8 mi · 4 min
-
11
Turn right onto South Main Street
1.2 km · 1 min · South Main Street
-
12
Continue on State Highway 31
1.6 mi · 3 min · State Highway 31
-
13
Turn left onto Cypress Lake Road
4.3 mi · 8 min · Cypress Lake Road
-
14
Continue on State Highway 13
5.8 mi · 10 min · State Highway 13
-
15
Turn left
10.2 mi · 15 min
-
16
Turn slight left
2.6 mi · 4 min
-
17
Turn straight onto AR 38
1.2 mi · 2 min · AR 38
-
18
Turn right onto North 5th Street
1545 ft · 48 sec · North 5th Street
-
19
Turn left onto Main Street
722 ft · 25 sec · Main Street
-
20
Turn left onto North 3rd
11 m · 2 sec · North 3rd
-
21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North 3rd
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fort Smith and Des Arc.
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.
Mostly Cloudy leaving Fort Smith and Partly Sunny near Des Arc.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fort Smith to Des Arc?
The road trip is about 189.5 miles (304.9 km) and usually takes 03h 42m 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 94.6 miles from Fort Smith and 94.9 miles from Des Arc.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 166.3 miles (267.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.2 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 9:36 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.34 one way or $50.67 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 59.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Fort Smith and Partly Sunny near Des Arc.
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 Des Arc. Straight-line distance: 166.37 mi (267.75 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 Des Arc
City in Arkansas, USA
| Population | 1,567 |
| Coordinates | 34.9770400, -91.4951300 |
| Altitude | 61 |
| Country | United States |
End: Des Arc (-91.49513, 34.97704)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 305 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 18m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 44m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 47m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 09m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 42m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 21m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $25.34 | $50.67 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $28.49 | $56.99 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $30.94 | $61.88 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $36.23 | $72.45 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.