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

The driving distance from Fort Smith, AR to Hughes, AR is about 266 miles (428.1 km), with a travel time of about 04h 46m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 223.8 miles (360.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 33m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
266 mi
04h 46m
Flight
223.84 mi
360.23 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Fort Smith.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
223.84 mi
Kilometers
360.23 km
Flight Time
00h 27m

Driving Distance

Road route
266 mi
Kilometers
428.09 km
Drive Time
04h 46m

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 46m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Hughes
Mon, May 25, 9:46 AM CDT
Return by in Fort Smith
Mon, May 25, 2:32 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Fort Smith
2026-05-25T04:59
Arrive Hughes
Mon, May 25, 9:46 AM CDT
Route Timing
04h 46m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:47 AM to 12:47 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
7:26 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Fort Smith
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Mayflower
AR

City in Faulkner County, Arkansas, United States

From Fort Smith
132.8 mi
02h 23m
To Hughes
133.2 mi
02h 23m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
84°F
Memorial Day

Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Mon, May 25 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph E
Destination
79°F
Memorial Day

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Mon, May 25 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph ENE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    147.4 mi · 2 hr 29 min

  5. 5

    Keep slight right to continue on Memphis

    92.1 mi · 1 hr 33 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward AR 38 East: Widener, Hughes

    1438 ft · 35 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight right

    56 m · 5 sec

  8. 8

    Turn straight onto Jefferson Street

    2.1 mi · 4 min · Jefferson Street

  9. 9

    Turn left onto East Main Street

    4.2 mi · 7 min · East Main Street

  10. 10

    Turn right

    11.8 mi · 21 min

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Church Street

    532 ft · 25 sec · Church Street

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Jeff Davis Street

    15 m · 2 sec · Jeff Davis Street

  13. 13

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Jeff Davis Street

Car Route Details

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

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
13 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
4.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 40 East
147 mi · 55%
Memphis
92.1 mi · 35%
I 540 North
6.04 mi · 2%
East Main Street
4.18 mi · 2%
Jefferson Street
2.14 mi · 1%
Grand Avenue
1.98 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

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.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
04h 46m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
09h 34m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+42.2 mi
223.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Mayflower
02h 23m from Fort Smith
Leave By
7:26 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Fort Smith and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Hughes.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 266 miles (428.1 km) and usually takes 04h 46m 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 132.8 miles from Fort Smith and 133.2 miles from Hughes.

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

The direct path is about 223.8 miles (360.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 42.2 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 7:26 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.56 one way or $71.12 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 83.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Fort Smith and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Hughes.

Stop Ideas Near Mayflower

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Mayflower, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Mayflower.

RAIL

Little Rock Union Station

26 mi away
1400 West Markham Street
RAIL

Malvern station

75 mi away
200 East First St.
RAIL

Arkadelphia station

110 mi away
798 South 5th St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Fort Smith and Hughes. Straight-line distance: 223.84 mi (360.23 km).

Fort Smith

#1 Fort Smith

The second most populous city in Sebastian County, Arkansas.

Population87,764
Coordinates35.3859200, -94.3985500
Altitude134
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Hughes

City in Arkansas, USA

Population1,200
Coordinates34.9492600, -90.4714900
Altitude63
CountryUnited States
Start: Fort Smith (-94.39855, 35.38592)
End: Hughes (-90.47149, 34.94926)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 428 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 51m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 39m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 19m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 26m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 48m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 19m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.39 gal
35.53 L · about $35.56
Round trip
$71.12
18.78 gal · 71.06 L
Estimated CO2
83.4 kg one way
Round trip: 166.9 kg / 368 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $35.56 $71.12
Mid-grade $4.26 $39.99 $79.98
Premium $4.63 $43.43 $86.86
Diesel $5.42 $50.85 $101.69

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

There is no time difference between Fort Smith and Hughes. The current time is 04:59:30.

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.