How far is Lake City, AR from Fort Smith, AR?
The driving distance from Lake City, AR to Fort Smith, AR is about 272.8 miles (439 km), with a travel time of about 04h 22m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 224.7 miles (361.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 44m 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 22m.
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 Faulkner County, Arkansas, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lake City and Fort Smith.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake City and Fort Smith.
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1
Start on Carter Street
113 m · 21 sec · Carter Street
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2
Turn left onto 4th Street
11 m · 4 sec · 4th Street
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3
Turn right onto Carter Street
101 m · 19 sec · Carter Street
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4
Turn left onto Main Street
72 m · 13 sec · Main Street
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5
Turn right onto Cottonwood Street
793 ft · 40 sec · Cottonwood Street
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6
At the end of the road, turn left onto 1st Street
10.6 mi · 16 min · 1st Street
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7
Turn left onto Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive
1.2 mi · 2 min · Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive
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8
Take the ramp slight right
1325 ft · 32 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Joe N Martin Expressway
5.1 mi · 6 min · Joe N Martin Expressway
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10
Take the exit slight right
948 ft · 23 sec
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11
Turn right onto Alexander Drive
139 m · 10 sec · Alexander Drive
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12
Turn right onto Southwest Drive
6.4 mi · 7 min · Southwest Drive
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13
Continue straight
12.5 mi · 14 min
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14
Take the exit sharp left
1938 ft · 47 sec
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15
Merge slight left
74.5 mi · 1 hr 17 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward US 64 West, I 57 Business North: Beebe, Conway
2037 ft · 50 sec
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17
Keep slight right to continue on US 64 West: Conway
32.6 mi · 42 min
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18
Take the exit straight
2355 ft · 57 sec
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19
Merge slight left
118.6 mi · 1 hr 59 min
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20
Take the exit slight right toward I 540 South, US 71 South: Fort Smith
6.5 mi · 8 min
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21
Take the exit slight right toward Grand Avenue
1259 ft · 34 sec
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22
Turn right onto Grand Avenue
1.9 mi · 4 min · Grand Avenue
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Grand Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lake City and Fort Smith.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
US 64 West
Merge slight left
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.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny leaving Lake City 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 Lake City to Fort Smith?
The road trip is about 272.8 miles (439 km) and usually takes 04h 22m 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?
Vilonia is a useful midpoint, sitting about 136 miles from Lake City and 136.8 miles from Fort Smith.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 224.7 miles (361.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 48.1 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 8:16 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $36.47 one way or $72.94 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 85.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny around Lake City and Sunny near Fort Smith.
Stop Ideas Near Vilonia
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 Vilonia.
Little Rock Union Station
Malvern station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lake City and Fort Smith. Straight-line distance: 224.67 mi (361.57 km).
#1 Lake City
City in Arkansas, USA
| Population | 2,650 |
| Coordinates | 35.8161900, -90.4342700 |
| Altitude | 69 |
| 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: 439 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 05m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 49m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 32m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 53m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 24m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $36.47 | $72.94 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $41.01 | $82.03 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $44.54 | $89.08 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $52.15 | $104.29 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.