How far is Fort Smith, AR from Rector, AR?
The driving distance from Fort Smith, AR to Rector, AR is about 299.4 miles (481.9 km), with a travel time of about 05h 32m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 237.9 miles (382.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 05m 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 05h 32m.
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 of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fort Smith and Rector.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Smith and Rector.
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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
119.2 mi · 1 hr 59 min
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5
Take the exit slight right toward US 64
1242 ft · 30 sec
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6
Keep slight left
65 m · 8 sec
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7
Turn left onto East Oak Street
1.8 mi · 3 min · East Oak Street
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8
Continue on State Highway 64
5.4 mi · 7 min · State Highway 64
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9
Continue on Vilonia Bypass
25.9 mi · 32 min · Vilonia Bypass
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10
Take the exit slight left
94.7 mi · 1 hr 39 min
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11
Keep slight right to continue on US 412: Paragould, Walnut Ridge
2734 ft · 1 min
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12
Turn right
24 mi · 29 min
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13
Turn left onto West Court Street
1998 ft · 38 sec · West Court Street
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14
Turn left
1.7 mi · 3 min
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15
Continue straight
6.6 mi · 10 min
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16
Continue straight
3.1 mi · 5 min
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17
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward East Franklin Street
26 m · 2 sec · East Franklin Street
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18
Exit the roundabout onto East Franklin Street
7.4 mi · 11 min · East Franklin Street
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19
Turn left onto South Main Street
1497 ft · 32 sec · South Main Street
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20
Turn right onto Front Street
16 m · 2 sec · Front Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Front Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fort Smith and Rector.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
I 40 East
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Little Rock, Memphis
119 mi · 01h 59m
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.
Mostly Cloudy leaving Fort Smith and Sunny near Rector.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fort Smith to Rector?
The road trip is about 299.4 miles (481.9 km) and usually takes 05h 32m 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?
Vilonia is a useful midpoint, sitting about 149.6 miles from Fort Smith and 149.9 miles from Rector.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 237.9 miles (382.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 61.5 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 5:54 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $40.03 one way or $80.06 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 93.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Fort Smith and Sunny near Rector.
Stop Ideas Near Vilonia
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 Vilonia.
Little Rock Union Station
Malvern station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fort Smith and Rector. Straight-line distance: 237.85 mi (382.79 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 Rector
City in Arkansas, United States
| Population | 1,703 |
| Coordinates | 36.2631200, -90.2926000 |
| Altitude | 87 |
| Country | United States |
End: Rector (-90.2926, 36.26312)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 482 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 58m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 29m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 59m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 59m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 16m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 44m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $40.03 | $80.06 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $45.02 | $90.04 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $48.89 | $97.77 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $57.24 | $114.47 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.