How far is Fort Smith, AR from Helena-West Helena, AR?
The driving distance from Fort Smith, AR to Helena-West Helena, AR is about 269.5 miles (433.7 km), with a travel time of about 04h 58m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 223.6 miles (359.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 56m 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 58m.
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 Faulkner County, Arkansas, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Areas Of Fog then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fort Smith and Helena-West Helena.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Smith and Helena-West Helena.
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1
Start on Grand Avenue
2 mi · 4 min · Grand Avenue
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2
Turn left onto I 540 North, US 71 North
1595 ft · 41 sec
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3
Merge slight left
5.7 mi · 7 min
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4
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Little Rock, Memphis
147.4 mi · 2 hr 29 min
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5
Keep slight right to continue on Memphis
60.8 mi · 1 hr 2 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward US 49, AR 17: Brinkley, Cotton Plant
1548 ft · 38 sec
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7
Turn right onto North Main Street
2.3 mi · 5 min · North Main Street
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8
Turn left onto West Sycamore Street
1803 ft · 38 sec · West Sycamore Street
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9
Turn right onto South Grand Avenue
1.2 mi · 2 min · South Grand Avenue
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10
Merge slight right
44.2 mi · 1 hr
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11
Keep slight right to continue on Martin Luther King Jr Drive
1 mi · 2 min · Martin Luther King Jr Drive
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12
Turn left onto Plaza Street
1.4 km · 1 min · Plaza Street
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13
Turn right onto South 10th Street
145 m · 8 sec · South 10th Street
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14
Continue on Richmond Drive
1886 ft · 32 sec · Richmond Drive
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15
Continue on Oakland Avenue
2.1 mi · 3 min · Oakland Avenue
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16
Continue on Porter Street
2428 ft · 48 sec · Porter Street
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17
Turn left onto Columbia Street
121 m · 11 sec · Columbia Street
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18
Turn right onto Perry Street
112 m · 18 sec · Perry Street
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19
Turn right onto Franklin Street
11 m · 2 sec · Franklin Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Franklin Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fort Smith and Helena-West Helena.
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.
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Fort Smith and Areas Of Fog then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Helena-West Helena.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fort Smith to Helena-West Helena?
The road trip is about 269.5 miles (433.7 km) and usually takes 04h 58m 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?
Mayflower is a useful midpoint, sitting about 134.6 miles from Fort Smith and 134.9 miles from Helena-West Helena.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 223.6 miles (359.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 45.9 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:04 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $36.01 one way or $72.03 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 84.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Fort Smith and Areas Of Fog then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Helena-West Helena.
Stop Ideas Near Mayflower
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 Mayflower.
Little Rock Union Station
Malvern station
Arkadelphia station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fort Smith and Helena-West Helena. Straight-line distance: 223.63 mi (359.89 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 Helena-West Helena
City in Arkansas, United States
| Population | 10,032 |
| Coordinates | 34.5291000, -90.5900000 |
| Altitude | 60 |
| Country | United States |
End: Helena-West Helena (-90.59, 34.5291)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 434 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 58m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 44m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 23m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 29m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 50m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 21m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $36.01 | $72.03 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $40.50 | $81.01 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $43.98 | $87.97 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $51.50 | $102.99 |
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 25, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.