How far is Horseshoe Bend, AR from Fort Smith, AR?
The driving distance from Horseshoe Bend, AR to Fort Smith, AR is about 236.9 miles (381.3 km), with a travel time of about 04h 19m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 158.7 miles (255.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 39m 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 04h 19m.
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.
Town in Arkansas, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Horseshoe Bend and Fort Smith.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Horseshoe Bend and Fort Smith.
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1
Start on Club Road
14 m · 2 sec · Club Road
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2
Turn right onto North Bend Road
1.4 km · 2 min · North Bend Road
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3
Turn right onto Cardinal Drive
4.9 mi · 9 min · Cardinal Drive
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4
At the end of the road, turn left
40.4 mi · 46 min
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5
Turn left onto Shield-Hopper Highway
101 m · 4 sec · Shield-Hopper Highway
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6
Continue on Shied-Hopper Bypass
5.4 mi · 6 min · Shied-Hopper Bypass
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7
Continue on Shield-Hopper Bypass
19.1 mi · 22 min · Shield-Hopper Bypass
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8
Turn right
22.6 mi · 26 min
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9
At the end of the road, turn right
7.2 mi · 12 min
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10
Take the exit slight right
5 mi · 8 min
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11
Take the exit slight right
6.1 mi · 9 min
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12
Continue straight
2728 ft · 1 min
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13
Turn left
40.2 mi · 47 min
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14
Turn left
2724 ft · 54 sec
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15
Turn slight left
16.4 mi · 25 min
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16
Turn left onto North Crossover Road
2.3 mi · 4 min · North Crossover Road
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17
Turn slight right
116 m · 7 sec
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18
Turn slight right onto East Huntsville Road
2372 ft · 57 sec · East Huntsville Road
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19
Continue on South Happy Hollow Road
1696 ft · 41 sec · South Happy Hollow Road
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20
Continue on East 15th Street
2.5 mi · 5 min · East 15th Street
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21
Turn left onto South Razorback Road
1.4 km · 2 min · South Razorback Road
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22
Continue on South Cato Springs Road
1874 ft · 40 sec · South Cato Springs Road
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23
Take the ramp slight left
1618 ft · 20 sec
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24
Merge slight left
40.4 mi · 40 min
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25
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 West: Van Buren, Fort Smith
1596 ft · 25 sec
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26
Merge slight left
4.3 mi · 4 min
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27
Take the exit slight right toward I 540 South, US 71 South: Fort Smith
6.5 mi · 8 min
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28
Take the exit slight right toward Grand Avenue
1259 ft · 34 sec
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29
Turn right onto Grand Avenue
1.9 mi · 4 min · Grand Avenue
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30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Grand Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Horseshoe Bend and Fort Smith.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Longest stretch
At the end of the road, turn left
40.4 mi · 00h 46m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Horseshoe Bend and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Fort Smith.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Horseshoe Bend to Fort Smith?
The road trip is about 236.9 miles (381.3 km) and usually takes 04h 19m 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?
Alpena is a useful midpoint, sitting about 115 miles from Horseshoe Bend and 121.9 miles from Fort Smith.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 158.7 miles (255.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 78.2 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 8:20 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $31.66 one way or $63.32 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 74.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Horseshoe Bend and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Fort Smith.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Horseshoe Bend and Fort Smith. Straight-line distance: 158.69 mi (255.38 km).
#1 Horseshoe Bend
City in Boise County, Idaho, United States
| Population | 2,108 |
| Coordinates | 36.2292300, -91.7643100 |
| Altitude | 265 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Fort Smith
The second most populous city in Sebastian County, Arkansas.
| Population | 87,764 |
| Coordinates | 35.3859200, -94.3985500 |
| Altitude | 134 |
| Country | United States |
End: Grand Avenue (-94.39855, 35.385923)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 381 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 53m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 44m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 56m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 57m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $31.66 | $63.32 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $35.61 | $71.21 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $38.67 | $77.33 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $45.27 | $90.54 |
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 · May 06, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.