How far is Fort Smith, AR from Hot Springs, AR?

The driving distance from Fort Smith, AR to Hot Springs, AR is about 130.5 miles (210 km), with a travel time of about 02h 40m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 97.5 miles (156.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 20m 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
130.46 mi
02h 40m
Flight
97.49 mi
156.89 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
97.49 mi
Kilometers
156.89 km
Flight Time
00h 11m

Driving Distance

Road route
130.46 mi
Kilometers
209.96 km
Drive Time
02h 40m

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 02h 40m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Hot Springs
Tue, May 12, 9:46 PM CDT
Return by in Fort Smith
Wed, May 13, 12:26 AM 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 Hot Springs
Tue, May 12, 9:46 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 40m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:40 AM to 12:40 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:10 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
Waldron
AR

City in Arkansas, USA

From Fort Smith
65.1 mi
01h 20m
To Hot Springs
65.3 mi
01h 20m

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
80°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph SE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Fort Smith and Hot Springs.

  1. 1

    Start on Grand Avenue

    1.9 mi · 3 min · Grand Avenue

  2. 2

    Take the ramp slight right

    1540 ft · 38 sec

  3. 3

    Merge slight left

    5.2 mi · 6 min

  4. 4

    Take the exit slight right toward US 71 South: Texarkana

    1749 ft · 45 sec

  5. 5

    Turn left

    54.6 mi · 1 hr 6 min

  6. 6

    Turn left

    64.1 mi · 1 hr 16 min

  7. 7

    Continue on Albert Pike Road

    2.6 mi · 4 min · Albert Pike Road

  8. 8

    Turn right onto Hobson Avenue

    1937 ft · 38 sec · Hobson Avenue

  9. 9

    Turn left onto 3rd Street

    1385 ft · 24 sec · 3rd Street

  10. 10

    Turn right onto West Grand Avenue

    3090 ft · 1 min · West Grand Avenue

  11. 11

    Continue on West Grand Avenue

    106 m · 13 sec · West Grand Avenue

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Grand Avenue

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
12 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Grand Avenue
7.42 mi · 6%
Albert Pike Road
2.62 mi · 2%
West Grand Avenue
0.65 mi
Hobson Avenue
0.37 mi
US 71 South
0.33 mi
3rd Street
0.26 mi
Longest Stretch

Longest stretch

Turn left

64.1 mi · 01h 16m

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
02h 40m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 20m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+33 mi
97.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Waldron
01h 20m from Fort Smith
Leave By
1:10 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Fort Smith and Sunny near Hot Springs.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Fort Smith to Hot Springs?

The road trip is about 130.5 miles (210 km) and usually takes 02h 40m 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?

Waldron is a useful midpoint, sitting about 65.1 miles from Fort Smith and 65.3 miles from Hot Springs.

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

The direct path is about 97.5 miles (156.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 33 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 1:10 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.42 one way or $34.84 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 40.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Fort Smith and Hot Springs. Straight-line distance: 97.49 mi (156.89 km).

Fort Smith

#1 Fort Smith

The second most populous city in Sebastian County, Arkansas.

Population87,764
Coordinates35.3859200, -94.3985500
Altitude134
CountryUnited States
Hot Springs

#2 Hot Springs

County seat and city in Garland County, Arkansas, USA

Population38,939
Coordinates34.5037000, -93.0551800
Altitude182
CountryUnited States
Start: Grand Avenue (-94.39855, 35.385923)
End: West Grand Avenue (-93.055179, 34.503704)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 210 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 20m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 15m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 36m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 10m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 51m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 37m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.6 gal
17.43 L · about $17.42
Round trip
$34.84
9.2 gal · 34.86 L
Estimated CO2
40.9 kg one way
Round trip: 81.8 kg / 180 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $17.42 $34.84
Mid-grade $4.26 $19.59 $39.18
Premium $4.63 $21.28 $42.55
Diesel $5.42 $24.91 $49.82

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 Hot Springs. The current time is 19:06:03.

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.