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

The driving distance from Fort Smith, AR to Nashville, AR is about 161.7 miles (260.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 22m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 104.3 miles (167.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 45m 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
161.72 mi
03h 22m
Flight
104.33 mi
167.9 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
104.33 mi
Kilometers
167.9 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
161.72 mi
Kilometers
260.26 km
Drive Time
03h 22m

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 03h 22m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Nashville
Sun, Apr 19, 2:52 AM CDT
Return by in Fort Smith
Sun, Apr 19, 6:14 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Fort Smith
2026-04-18T23:29
Arrive Nashville
Sun, Apr 19, 2:52 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 22m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:23 AM to 11:23 AM CDT

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

Leave by
10:14 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
Mena
AR

City in Arkansas

From Fort Smith
80.9 mi
01h 41m
To Nashville
80.8 mi
01h 41m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
68°F
Saturday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph NW
Destination
68°F
Saturday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    121.2 mi · 2 hr 24 min

  6. 6

    Turn left onto East Collin Raye Drive

    8 mi · 11 min · East Collin Raye Drive

  7. 7

    Continue straight

    5.4 mi · 8 min

  8. 8

    Turn left onto East Main Street

    1.6 km · 1 min · East Main Street

  9. 9

    Continue on US Highway 371/State Highway 24

    2.2 mi · 3 min · US Highway 371/State Highway 24

  10. 10

    Continue on US Highway 371/State Highway 24

    15.8 mi · 23 min · US Highway 371/State Highway 24

  11. 11

    At the end of the road, turn right onto North 4th Street

    563 ft · 15 sec · North 4th Street

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Bishop Street

    1163 ft · 24 sec · Bishop Street

  13. 13

    Turn right onto North Main Street

    954 ft · 19 sec · North Main Street

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Main Street

Car Route Details

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

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
14 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US Highway 371/State Highway 24
17.9 mi · 11%
East Collin Raye Drive
13.4 mi · 8%
Grand Avenue
7.42 mi · 5%
East Main Street
0.96 mi · 1%
US 71 South
0.33 mi
Bishop Street
0.22 mi
Longest Stretch

Longest stretch

Turn left

121 mi · 02h 24m

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
03h 22m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 46m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+57.4 mi
104.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Mena
01h 41m from Fort Smith
Leave By
10:14 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Fort Smith and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Nashville.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 161.7 miles (260.3 km) and usually takes 03h 22m 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?

Mena is a useful midpoint, sitting about 80.9 miles from Fort Smith and 80.8 miles from Nashville.

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

The direct path is about 104.3 miles (167.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 57.4 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 10:14 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.62 one way or $43.25 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Fort Smith and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Nashville.

Stop Ideas Near Mena

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Mena, 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 Mena.

RAIL

Hope

118 mi away
100 East Division Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Fort Smith and Nashville. Straight-line distance: 104.33 mi (167.9 km).

Fort Smith

#1 Fort Smith

The second most populous city in Sebastian County, Arkansas.

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

#2 Nashville

City in Arkansas, United States

Population4,290
Coordinates33.9456700, -93.8471300
Altitude116
CountryUnited States
Start: Fort Smith (-94.39855, 35.38592)
End: Nashville (-93.84713, 33.94567)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 260 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 23m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 02m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 14m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 41m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 18m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 01m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.71 gal
21.6 L · about $21.62
Round trip
$43.25
11.42 gal · 43.2 L
Estimated CO2
50.7 kg one way
Round trip: 101.5 kg / 224 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $21.62 $43.25
Mid-grade $4.26 $24.32 $48.64
Premium $4.63 $26.41 $52.82
Diesel $5.42 $30.92 $61.84

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Fort Smith and Nashville. The current time is 23:29:21.

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.