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

The driving distance from Monticello, AR to Fort Smith, AR is about 244.6 miles (393.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 41m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 191.8 miles (308.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 22m 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
244.55 mi
03h 41m
Flight
191.76 mi
308.61 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Monticello.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
191.76 mi
Kilometers
308.61 km
Flight Time
00h 23m

Driving Distance

Road route
244.55 mi
Kilometers
393.57 km
Drive Time
03h 41m

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 41m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Fort Smith
Mon, Jun 1, 11:03 PM CDT
Return by in Monticello
Tue, Jun 2, 2:44 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Monticello
2026-06-01T19:22
Arrive Fort Smith
Mon, Jun 1, 11:03 PM CDT
Route Timing
03h 41m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:41 AM to 11:41 AM CDT

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

Leave by
9:38 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Monticello
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
Conway
AR

The most populous city in Faulkner County, Arkansas.

From Monticello
122.3 mi
01h 50m
To Fort Smith
122.3 mi
01h 50m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
95°F
Monday

Sunny

Starts
Mon, Jun 1 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph WSW
Destination
94°F
This Afternoon

Sunny

Starts
Mon, Jun 1 2:00 PM CDT
Wind
5 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on West Gaines Avenue

    7 m · 6 sec · West Gaines Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn left onto North Main Street

    65 m · 10 sec · North Main Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto West McCloy Avenue

    1516 ft · 32 sec · West McCloy Avenue

  4. 4

    At the end of the road, turn left onto North Hyatt Street

    44 m · 3 sec · North Hyatt Street

  5. 5

    Turn slight right onto West Gaines Avenue

    1851 ft · 31 sec · West Gaines Avenue

  6. 6

    Take the ramp slight right

    67 m · 6 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    15.7 mi · 20 min

  8. 8

    Turn left onto Highway 11

    1.7 mi · 2 min · Highway 11

  9. 9

    Turn right onto Highway 530

    23.4 mi · 27 min · Highway 530

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on I 530 North, US 65 North

    2962 ft · 39 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto Wiley A Branton Sr Highway

    26.9 mi · 28 min · Wiley A Branton Sr Highway

  12. 12

    Continue straight

    16.8 mi · 17 min

  13. 13

    Continue straight

    4.2 mi · 5 min

  14. 14

    Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West, US 65 North, AR 107 North: Conway, Fort Smith

    1461 ft · 36 sec

  15. 15

    Keep slight left

    145.4 mi · 2 hr 27 min

  16. 16

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

    6.5 mi · 8 min

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right toward Grand Avenue

    1259 ft · 34 sec

  18. 18

    Turn right onto Grand Avenue

    1.9 mi · 4 min · Grand Avenue

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Grand Avenue

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
19 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 40 West
146 mi · 60%
Wiley A Branton Sr Highway
48 mi · 20%
Highway 530
23.4 mi · 10%
West Gaines Avenue
16.1 mi · 7%
I 540 South
6.53 mi · 3%
Grand Avenue
2.14 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 40 West

Keep slight left

145 mi · 02h 27m

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
03h 41m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 22m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+52.8 mi
191.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Conway
01h 50m from Monticello
Leave By
9:38 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Monticello 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 Monticello to Fort Smith?

The road trip is about 244.6 miles (393.6 km) and usually takes 03h 41m 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?

Conway is a useful midpoint, sitting about 122.3 miles from Monticello and 122.3 miles from Fort Smith.

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

The direct path is about 191.8 miles (308.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 52.8 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 9:38 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.68 one way or $65.36 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 76.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Conway

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Conway, 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 Conway.

RAIL

Little Rock Union Station

40 mi away
1400 West Markham Street
RAIL

Malvern station

87 mi away
200 East First St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Monticello and Fort Smith. Straight-line distance: 191.76 mi (308.61 km).

Monticello

#1 Monticello

City in Arkansas, USA

Population9,185
Coordinates33.6290000, -91.7909600
Altitude89
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 Gaines Avenue (-91.790961, 33.62899)
End: Grand Avenue (-94.39855, 35.385923)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 394 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 08m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 06m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 53m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 04m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 29m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 03m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.63 gal
32.67 L · about $32.68
Round trip
$65.36
17.26 gal · 65.34 L
Estimated CO2
76.7 kg one way
Round trip: 153.4 kg / 338 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $32.68 $65.36
Mid-grade $4.26 $36.76 $73.51
Premium $4.63 $39.91 $79.83
Diesel $5.42 $46.73 $93.46

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 · Jun 02, 2026

There is no time difference between Monticello and Fort Smith. The current time is 19:22:20.

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.