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

The driving distance from Fort Smith, AR to Fayetteville, AR is about 57.5 miles (92.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 56m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 48.7 miles (78.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 53m 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
57.47 mi
00h 56m
Flight
48.67 mi
78.33 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
48.67 mi
Kilometers
78.33 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
57.47 mi
Kilometers
92.49 km
Drive Time
00h 56m

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 00h 56m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Fayetteville
Tue, May 12, 8:02 PM CDT
Return by in Fort Smith
Tue, May 12, 8:59 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Fort Smith
2026-05-12T19:06
Arrive Fayetteville
Tue, May 12, 8:02 PM CDT
Route Timing
00h 56m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:57 AM to 10:57 AM CDT

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

Leave by
4:36 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
Chester
AR

City in Arkansas

From Fort Smith
28.6 mi
00h 28m
To Fayetteville
28.8 mi
00h 28m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
83°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph SE
Destination
79°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    40.3 mi · 40 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward AR 112, AR 265

    2318 ft · 44 sec

  8. 8

    Turn slight right onto South Cato Springs Road

    1092 ft · 23 sec · South Cato Springs Road

  9. 9

    Continue on South Razorback Road

    1.4 mi · 3 min · South Razorback Road

  10. 10

    Turn right onto West Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard

    1.4 km · 2 min · West Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard

  11. 11

    Turn left onto South School Avenue

    652 ft · 16 sec · South School Avenue

  12. 12

    Turn slight right onto South Nelson Hackett Boulevard

    2093 ft · 53 sec · South Nelson Hackett Boulevard

  13. 13

    Continue on South College Avenue

    846 ft · 27 sec · South College Avenue

  14. 14

    Turn right onto East Center Street

    45 m · 8 sec · East Center Street

  15. 15

    Turn right

    24 m · 6 sec

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
16 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
27.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 49 North
41 mi · 71%
I 540 North
6.04 mi · 11%
I 40 East
4.59 mi · 8%
Grand Avenue
1.98 mi · 3%
South Razorback Road
1.4 mi · 2%
West Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
0.89 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

I 49 North

Continue straight

40.3 mi · 00h 40m

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
00h 56m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 54m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+8.8 mi
48.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Chester
00h 28m from Fort Smith
Leave By
4:36 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Fort Smith and Sunny near Fayetteville.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 57.5 miles (92.5 km) and usually takes 00h 56m 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?

Chester is a useful midpoint, sitting about 28.6 miles from Fort Smith and 28.8 miles from Fayetteville.

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

The direct path is about 48.7 miles (78.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.8 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 4:36 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.69 one way or $15.38 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 18 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Fort Smith and Sunny near Fayetteville.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Fort Smith and Fayetteville. Straight-line distance: 48.67 mi (78.33 km).

Fort Smith

#1 Fort Smith

The second most populous city in Sebastian County, Arkansas.

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

#2 Fayetteville

The most populous city in Washington County, Arkansas.

Population89,576
Coordinates36.0625800, -94.1574300
Altitude427
CountryUnited States
Start: Grand Avenue (-94.39855, 35.385923)
End: County Avenue (-94.157184, 36.062567)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 92 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 54m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 26m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 08m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 57m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 49m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 43m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.03 gal
7.68 L · about $7.69
Round trip
$15.38
4.06 gal · 15.36 L
Estimated CO2
18 kg one way
Round trip: 36.1 kg / 80 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $7.69 $15.38
Mid-grade $4.26 $8.65 $17.29
Premium $4.63 $9.39 $18.78
Diesel $5.42 $10.99 $21.98

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

There is no time difference between Fort Smith and Fayetteville. The current time is 19:06:01.

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.