How far is Fort Smith, AR from Forrest City, AR?
The driving distance from Fort Smith, AR to Forrest City, AR is about 243.6 miles (392 km), with a travel time of about 04h 11m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 205.4 miles (330.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 22m 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 11m.
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.
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fort Smith and Forrest City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Smith and Forrest City.
-
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
147.4 mi · 2 hr 29 min
-
5
Keep slight right to continue on Memphis
85.8 mi · 1 hr 27 min
-
6
Take the exit slight right toward AR 1B South: Forrest City
2036 ft · 44 sec
-
7
Turn straight onto Washington Street
1.7 mi · 3 min · Washington Street
-
8
Turn right onto West Broadway Avenue
1449 ft · 26 sec · West Broadway Avenue
-
9
Turn right onto North Division
9 m · 1 sec · North Division
-
10
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Division
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fort Smith and Forrest 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
147 mi · 02h 29m
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.
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Fort Smith and Mostly Sunny near Forrest City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fort Smith to Forrest City?
The road trip is about 243.6 miles (392 km) and usually takes 04h 11m 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 121.7 miles from Fort Smith and 122 miles from Forrest City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 205.4 miles (330.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 38.2 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 8:38 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.57 one way or $65.14 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 76.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Fort Smith and Mostly Sunny near Forrest 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 Forrest City. Straight-line distance: 205.41 mi (330.57 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 Forrest City
City in St.
| Population | 13,820 |
| Coordinates | 35.0081500, -90.7898300 |
| Altitude | 77 |
| Country | United States |
End: Forrest City (-90.78983, 35.00815)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 392 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 06m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 05m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 52m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 03m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 02m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $32.57 | $65.14 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $36.63 | $73.25 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $39.78 | $79.55 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $46.57 | $93.14 |
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.