How far is The Woodlands, TX from Fort Smith, AR?
The driving distance from The Woodlands, TX to Fort Smith, AR is about 488 miles (785.3 km), with a travel time of about 08h 48m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 366.7 miles (590.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 17h 36m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 08h 48m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
The third most populous city in Collin County, Texas.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between The Woodlands and Fort Smith.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between The Woodlands and Fort Smith.
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1
Start on Pebble Cove Drive
1009 ft · 36 sec · Pebble Cove Drive
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2
Turn right onto East Panther Creek Drive
1.3 km · 2 min · East Panther Creek Drive
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3
Turn right onto Lake Woodlands Drive
2568 ft · 55 sec · Lake Woodlands Drive
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4
Turn left onto Lakeside Boulevard
2839 ft · 1 min · Lakeside Boulevard
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5
Turn right onto Research Forest Drive
1.4 mi · 3 min · Research Forest Drive
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6
Turn left onto Interstate 45 North Frontage Road
1 mi · 2 min · Interstate 45 North Frontage Road
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7
Take the ramp straight toward I 45 North
907 ft · 22 sec
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8
Merge slight left
207.6 mi · 3 hr 34 min
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9
Continue on North Central Expressway
45 mi · 48 min · North Central Expressway
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10
Continue on South Henry Hynds Expressway
10.1 mi · 10 min · South Henry Hynds Expressway
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11
Continue on South Sam Rayburn Freeway
28.4 mi · 30 min · South Sam Rayburn Freeway
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12
Continue on US 69 North, US 75 North: Durant
1.1 mi · 1 min
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13
Continue on US 69 North, US 75 North: Durant
26.4 mi · 29 min
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14
Continue on US 69 North, US 75 North: Atoka
5.9 mi · 6 min
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15
Continue on South Jefferson Street
2.3 mi · 3 min · South Jefferson Street
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16
Continue straight
36.1 mi · 42 min
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17
Continue straight
11.6 mi · 16 min
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18
Keep slight left to continue on South George Nigh Expressway
40.5 mi · 45 min · South George Nigh Expressway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward I 40 East: Fort Smith
3139 ft · 1 min
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20
Merge slight left onto Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
59.7 mi · 1 hr 1 min · Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
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21
Take the exit slight right toward US 64: Roland, Fort Smith
2140 ft · 53 sec
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22
Merge slight left onto West Ray Fine Boulevard
6.3 mi · 9 min · West Ray Fine Boulevard
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23
Turn left onto North 11th Street
1083 ft · 25 sec · North 11th Street
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24
Turn slight right onto Grand Avenue
1.1 mi · 2 min · Grand Avenue
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Grand Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between The Woodlands and Fort Smith.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 45 North
Merge slight left
208 mi · 03h 34m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving The Woodlands and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Fort Smith.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from The Woodlands to Fort Smith?
The road trip is about 488 miles (785.3 km) and usually takes 08h 48m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
McKinney is a useful midpoint, sitting about 244.1 miles from The Woodlands and 243.8 miles from Fort Smith.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 366.7 miles (590.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 121.3 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 7:30 AM CDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $66.11 one way or $132.22 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 153 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers around The Woodlands and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Fort Smith.
Stop Ideas Near McKinney
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Town of Prosper City Hall
George A. Purefoy Municipal Center
US Post Office
City Hall Plaza Park
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to McKinney.
Mesquite, TX
Union Station
Dallas, TX
Gainesville
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between The Woodlands and Fort Smith. Straight-line distance: 366.72 mi (590.18 km).
#1 The Woodlands
A city in Montgomery County, Texas.
| Population | 93,847 |
| Coordinates | 30.1579900, -95.4893800 |
| Altitude | 43 |
| 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: Fort Smith (-94.39855, 35.38592)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 785 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 16h 15m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 12h 11m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 09h 45m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 08h 07m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 06h 58m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 06h 05m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.84 | $66.11 | $132.22 |
| Mid-grade | $4.35 | $74.86 | $149.71 |
| Premium | $4.72 | $81.33 | $162.66 |
| Diesel | $5.78 | $99.46 | $198.93 |
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 Texas · Oct 15, 2026