How far is Fort Smith, AR from Southside, AR?
The driving distance from Fort Smith, AR to Southside, AR is about 215.9 miles (347.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 57m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 157.5 miles (253.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 55m 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 57m.
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 Arkansas, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fort Smith and Southside.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Smith and Southside.
-
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
119.2 mi · 1 hr 59 min
-
5
Take the exit slight right toward US 64
1242 ft · 30 sec
-
6
Keep slight left
65 m · 8 sec
-
7
Turn left onto East Oak Street
1.8 mi · 3 min · East Oak Street
-
8
Continue on State Highway 64
5.4 mi · 7 min · State Highway 64
-
9
Continue on Vilonia Bypass
25.9 mi · 32 min · Vilonia Bypass
-
10
Take the exit slight left
26.9 mi · 27 min
-
11
Take the exit slight right toward US 64 East, US 67 North: Bald Knob, Batesville
1533 ft · 46 sec
-
12
Turn left
28 mi · 36 min
-
13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Batesville Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fort Smith and Southside.
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
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 Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Fort Smith and Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Southside.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fort Smith to Southside?
The road trip is about 215.9 miles (347.4 km) and usually takes 03h 57m 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?
Morrilton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 107.8 miles from Fort Smith and 108 miles from Southside.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 157.5 miles (253.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 58.4 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 9:04 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.86 one way or $57.71 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 67.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Fort Smith and Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Southside.
Stop Ideas Near Morrilton
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 Morrilton.
Little Rock Union Station
Malvern station
Arkadelphia station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fort Smith and Southside. Straight-line distance: 157.5 mi (253.47 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 Southside
Human settlement in Arkansas, United States of America
| Population | 3,990 |
| Coordinates | 35.6984100, -91.6234700 |
| Altitude | 109 |
| Country | United States |
End: Southside (-91.62347, 35.69841)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 347 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 11m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 23m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 18m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 35m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 05m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 41m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $28.86 | $57.71 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $32.45 | $64.91 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $35.24 | $70.49 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $41.26 | $82.52 |
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 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.