How far is Rison, AR from Fort Smith, AR?
The driving distance from Rison, AR to Fort Smith, AR is about 218.7 miles (351.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 23m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 159.6 miles (256.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 47m 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 03h 23m.
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 Arkansas, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Rison and Fort Smith.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rison and Fort Smith.
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1
Start on East Magnolia Street
1.3 km · 1 min · East Magnolia Street
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2
Turn right
19.5 mi · 29 min
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3
Take the ramp left
1649 ft · 40 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Wiley A Branton Sr Highway
39.3 mi · 40 min · Wiley A Branton Sr Highway
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5
Continue straight
4.2 mi · 5 min
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6
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West, US 65 North, AR 107 North: Conway, Fort Smith
1461 ft · 36 sec
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7
Keep slight left
145.4 mi · 2 hr 27 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 540 South, US 71 South: Fort Smith
6.5 mi · 8 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward Grand Avenue
1259 ft · 34 sec
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10
Turn right onto Grand Avenue
1.9 mi · 4 min · Grand Avenue
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11
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Grand Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rison 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.
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.
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.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Rison and Partly Sunny 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 Rison to Fort Smith?
The road trip is about 218.7 miles (351.9 km) and usually takes 03h 23m 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?
Morrilton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 109.2 miles from Rison and 109.4 miles from Fort Smith.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 159.6 miles (256.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 59.1 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 10:12 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.24 one way or $58.47 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 68.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Rison and Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Fort Smith.
Stop Ideas Near Morrilton
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 Morrilton.
Little Rock Union Station
Malvern station
Arkadelphia station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Rison and Fort Smith. Straight-line distance: 159.61 mi (256.86 km).
#1 Rison
City in Cleveland County, Arkansas, United States
| Population | 1,213 |
| Coordinates | 33.9584300, -92.1901500 |
| Altitude | 82 |
| 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: 352 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 17m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 28m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 22m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 07m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 43m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $29.24 | $58.47 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $32.88 | $65.76 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $35.71 | $71.41 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $41.80 | $83.61 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.