How far is Hot Springs, AR from Fort Smith, AR?

The driving distance from Hot Springs, AR to Fort Smith, AR is about 130.4 miles (209.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 39m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 97.5 miles (156.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 18m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
130.39 mi
02h 39m
Flight
97.49 mi
156.89 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Hot Springs.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
97.49 mi
Kilometers
156.89 km
Flight Time
00h 11m

Driving Distance

Road route
130.39 mi
Kilometers
209.85 km
Drive Time
02h 39m

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 02h 39m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Fort Smith
Tue, May 12, 10:22 PM CDT
Return by in Hot Springs
Wed, May 13, 1:01 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Hot Springs
2026-05-12T19:43
Arrive Fort Smith
Tue, May 12, 10:22 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 39m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:39 AM to 12:39 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:12 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Hot Springs
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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
Waldron
AR

City in Arkansas, USA

From Hot Springs
64.1 mi
01h 19m
To Fort Smith
66.3 mi
01h 19m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph SE
Destination
83°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph SE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Hot Springs and Fort Smith.

  1. 1

    Start on West Grand Avenue

    1.4 km · 1 min · West Grand Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Summer Street

    1673 ft · 28 sec · Summer Street

  3. 3

    Turn straight onto Albert Pike Road

    34.9 mi · 41 min · Albert Pike Road

  4. 4

    Continue straight

    31.7 mi · 40 min

  5. 5

    At the end of the road, turn right

    54.4 mi · 1 hr 6 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward 540 North

    1.6 mi · 2 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward Greenwood Road

    1202 ft · 38 sec

  8. 8

    Turn left onto Old Greenwood Road

    2.1 mi · 4 min · Old Greenwood Road

  9. 9

    Continue on South 31st Street

    2637 ft · 55 sec · South 31st Street

  10. 10

    Continue on Old Greenwood Road

    1187 ft · 28 sec · Old Greenwood Road

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Rogers Avenue

    1729 ft · 46 sec · Rogers Avenue

  12. 12

    Turn right onto North Greenwood Avenue

    1.1 km · 2 min · North Greenwood Avenue

  13. 13

    Turn right onto Grand Avenue

    1391 ft · 28 sec · Grand Avenue

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Grand Avenue

Car Route Details

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

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
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
0 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Albert Pike Road
66.6 mi · 51%
Old Greenwood Road
2.32 mi · 2%
540 North
1.62 mi · 1%
West Grand Avenue
0.9 mi · 1%
North Greenwood Avenue
0.7 mi · 1%
South 31st Street
0.5 mi
Longest Stretch

Longest stretch

At the end of the road, turn right

54.4 mi · 01h 06m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 39m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 18m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+32.9 mi
97.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Waldron
01h 19m from Hot Springs
Leave By
1:12 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Hot Springs and Sunny near Fort Smith.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Hot Springs to Fort Smith?

The road trip is about 130.4 miles (209.9 km) and usually takes 02h 39m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Waldron is a useful midpoint, sitting about 64.1 miles from Hot Springs and 66.3 miles from Fort Smith.

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

The direct path is about 97.5 miles (156.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 32.9 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:12 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.42 one way or $34.84 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 40.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Hot Springs and Sunny near Fort Smith.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Hot Springs and Fort Smith. Straight-line distance: 97.49 mi (156.89 km).

Hot Springs

#1 Hot Springs

County seat and city in Garland County, Arkansas, USA

Population38,939
Coordinates34.5037000, -93.0551800
Altitude182
CountryUnited States
Fort Smith

#2 Fort Smith

The second most populous city in Sebastian County, Arkansas.

Population87,764
Coordinates35.3859200, -94.3985500
Altitude134
CountryUnited States
Start: West Grand Avenue (-93.055179, 34.503704)
End: Grand Avenue (-94.39855, 35.385923)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 210 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 20m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 15m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 36m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 10m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 51m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 37m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.6 gal
17.42 L · about $17.42
Round trip
$34.84
9.2 gal · 34.84 L
Estimated CO2
40.9 kg one way
Round trip: 81.8 kg / 180 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $17.42 $34.84
Mid-grade $4.26 $19.59 $39.18
Premium $4.63 $21.28 $42.55
Diesel $5.42 $24.91 $49.82

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 13, 2026

There is no time difference between Hot Springs and Fort Smith. The current time is 19:43:13.

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.