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

The driving distance from Fort Smith, AR to Mena, AR is about 83.8 miles (134.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 42m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 56 miles (90.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 24m 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
83.83 mi
01h 42m
Flight
55.98 mi
90.09 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
55.98 mi
Kilometers
90.09 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
83.83 mi
Kilometers
134.91 km
Drive Time
01h 42m

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 01h 42m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Mena
Thu, Apr 23, 2:54 AM CDT
Return by in Fort Smith
Thu, Apr 23, 4:37 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Fort Smith
2026-04-23T01:12
Arrive Mena
Thu, Apr 23, 2:54 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 42m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:42 AM to 11:42 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:06 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
41.9 mi
00h 51m
To Mena
41.9 mi
00h 51m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph S
Destination
76°F
Thursday

Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    75.7 mi · 1 hr 30 min

  6. 6

    Turn right onto Mena Street

    1581 ft · 39 sec · Mena Street

  7. 7

    Turn left onto Church Avenue

    114 m · 19 sec · Church Avenue

  8. 8

    Turn right onto DeQueen Street

    24 m · 4 sec · DeQueen Street

  9. 9

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · DeQueen Street

Car Route Details

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

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
9 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Grand Avenue
7.42 mi · 9%
US 71 South
0.33 mi
Mena Street
0.3 mi
Church Avenue
0.07 mi
DeQueen Street
0.01 mi
Longest Stretch

Longest stretch

Turn left

75.7 mi · 01h 30m

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
01h 42m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 24m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+27.8 mi
56 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Waldron
00h 51m from Fort Smith
Leave By
3:06 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Fort Smith and Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Mena.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 83.8 miles (134.9 km) and usually takes 01h 42m 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 41.9 miles from Fort Smith and 41.9 miles from Mena.

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

The direct path is about 56 miles (90.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.8 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 3:06 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.21 one way or $22.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 26.3 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 Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Mena.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Fort Smith and Mena. Straight-line distance: 55.98 mi (90.09 km).

Fort Smith

#1 Fort Smith

The second most populous city in Sebastian County, Arkansas.

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

#2 Mena

City in Arkansas

Population5,410
Coordinates34.5862200, -94.2396600
Altitude357
CountryUnited States
Start: Fort Smith (-94.39855, 35.38592)
End: Mena (-94.23966, 34.58622)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 135 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 47m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 05m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 40m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 23m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 11m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 02m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.96 gal
11.2 L · about $11.21
Round trip
$22.42
5.92 gal · 22.4 L
Estimated CO2
26.3 kg one way
Round trip: 52.6 kg / 116 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $11.21 $22.42
Mid-grade $4.26 $12.61 $25.21
Premium $4.63 $13.69 $27.38
Diesel $5.42 $16.03 $32.06

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

There is no time difference between Fort Smith and Mena. The current time is 01:12:44.

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.