How far is Hughes, AR from Fort Smith, AR?

The driving distance from Hughes, AR to Fort Smith, AR is about 266.6 miles (429 km), with a travel time of about 04h 10m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 223.8 miles (360.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 20m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
266.54 mi
04h 10m
Flight
223.84 mi
360.23 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Hughes.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
223.84 mi
Kilometers
360.23 km
Flight Time
00h 27m

Driving Distance

Road route
266.54 mi
Kilometers
428.95 km
Drive Time
04h 10m

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 10m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Fort Smith
Mon, May 25, 8:19 AM CDT
Return by in Hughes
Mon, May 25, 12:29 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Hughes
2026-05-25T04:09
Arrive Fort Smith
Mon, May 25, 8:19 AM CDT
Route Timing
04h 10m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:10 AM to 12:10 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
8:40 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Hughes
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Mayflower
AR

City in Faulkner County, Arkansas, United States

From Hughes
133.2 mi
02h 05m
To Fort Smith
133.4 mi
02h 05m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
79°F
Memorial Day

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Mon, May 25 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph ENE
Destination
84°F
Memorial Day

Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Mon, May 25 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph E

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Hughes and Fort Smith.

  1. 1

    Start on Jeff Davis Street

    38 m · 7 sec · Jeff Davis Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Cowan Street North

    102 m · 15 sec · Cowan Street North

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Main Street

    11.9 mi · 21 min · Main Street

  4. 4

    Turn left

    4.2 mi · 7 min

  5. 5

    Turn right onto North Jefferson Street

    2.5 mi · 4 min · North Jefferson Street

  6. 6

    Take the ramp left

    2178 ft · 53 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    238.9 mi · 4 hr 2 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward I 540 South, US 71 South: Fort Smith

    6.5 mi · 8 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward Grand Avenue

    1259 ft · 34 sec

  10. 10

    Turn right onto Grand Avenue

    1.9 mi · 4 min · Grand Avenue

  11. 11

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Grand Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Hughes 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
11 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
4.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
North Jefferson Street
242 mi · 91%
Main Street
11.9 mi · 4%
I 540 South
6.53 mi · 2%
Grand Avenue
2.14 mi · 1%
Cowan Street North
0.06 mi
Jeff Davis Street
0.02 mi
Longest Stretch

North Jefferson Street

Merge slight left

239 mi · 04h 02m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
04h 10m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 20m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+42.8 mi
223.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Mayflower
02h 05m from Hughes
Leave By
8:40 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Hughes and Sunny then Slight 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 Hughes to Fort Smith?

The road trip is about 266.6 miles (429 km) and usually takes 04h 10m 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?

Mayflower is a useful midpoint, sitting about 133.2 miles from Hughes and 133.4 miles from Fort Smith.

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

The direct path is about 223.8 miles (360.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 42.8 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 8:40 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.60 one way or $71.20 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 83.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Hughes and Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Fort Smith.

Stop Ideas Near Mayflower

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Mayflower, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Mayflower.

RAIL

Little Rock Union Station

26 mi away
1400 West Markham Street
RAIL

Malvern station

75 mi away
200 East First St.
RAIL

Arkadelphia station

110 mi away
798 South 5th St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Hughes and Fort Smith. Straight-line distance: 223.84 mi (360.23 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Hughes

City in Arkansas, USA

Population1,200
Coordinates34.9492600, -90.4714900
Altitude63
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: Jeff Davis Street (-90.471462, 34.949283)
End: Grand Avenue (-94.39855, 35.385923)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 429 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 52m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 39m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 19m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 26m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 48m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 19m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.4 gal
35.6 L · about $35.60
Round trip
$71.20
18.8 gal · 71.2 L
Estimated CO2
83.5 kg one way
Round trip: 167.1 kg / 368 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $35.60 $71.20
Mid-grade $4.26 $40.03 $80.07
Premium $4.63 $43.48 $86.95
Diesel $5.42 $50.90 $101.80

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 25, 2026

There is no time difference between Hughes and Fort Smith. The current time is 04:09:32.

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.