How far is Fort Smith, AR from Salem, AR?
The driving distance from Fort Smith, AR to Salem, AR is about 172.1 miles (277 km), with a travel time of about 03h 02m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 116.6 miles (187.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 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 03h 02m.
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 Pope County, Arkansas, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fort Smith and Salem.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Smith and Salem.
-
1
Start on Grand Avenue
2 mi · 4 min · Grand Avenue
-
2
Turn left onto I 540 North, US 71 North
1595 ft · 41 sec
-
3
Merge slight left
5.7 mi · 7 min
-
4
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Little Rock, Memphis
139.8 mi · 2 hr 20 min
-
5
Take the exit slight right toward I 430: Texarkana
2643 ft · 41 sec
-
6
Continue straight
12.3 mi · 14 min
-
7
Keep slight right to continue on I 30 West: Texarkana
8.1 mi · 9 min
-
8
Take the exit slight right toward Alcoa Road
1021 ft · 19 sec
-
9
Turn straight onto I-30 Frontage Road
1508 ft · 30 sec · I-30 Frontage Road
-
10
Turn slight right
555 ft · 24 sec
-
11
Turn slight right onto Alcoa Road
1397 ft · 35 sec · Alcoa Road
-
12
Turn left
1517 ft · 36 sec
-
13
Turn sharp right onto Salem Road
2.2 mi · 5 min · Salem Road
-
14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Salem Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fort Smith and Salem.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 40 East
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Little Rock, Memphis
140 mi · 02h 20m
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 Sunny leaving Fort Smith and Mostly Sunny near Salem.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fort Smith to Salem?
The road trip is about 172.1 miles (277 km) and usually takes 03h 02m 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?
Pottsville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 86 miles from Fort Smith and 86.2 miles from Salem.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 116.6 miles (187.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 55.5 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 10:54 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.96 one way or $47.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Fort Smith and Mostly Sunny near Salem.
Stop Ideas Near Pottsville
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 Pottsville.
Little Rock Union Station
Malvern station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fort Smith and Salem. Straight-line distance: 116.54 mi (187.55 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 Salem
Salem is a place in Arkansas, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 34.6289800, -92.5582200 |
| Altitude | 143 |
| Country | United States |
End: Salem (-92.55822, 34.62898)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 277 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 44m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 52m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 27m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 08m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.95 | $23.96 | $47.92 |
| Mid-grade | $4.44 | $26.96 | $53.91 |
| Premium | $4.83 | $29.29 | $58.58 |
| Diesel | $5.92 | $35.92 | $71.84 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026