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

The driving distance from Ward, AR to Fort Smith, AR is about 156.5 miles (251.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 32m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 140.4 miles (225.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 04m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
156.45 mi
02h 32m
Flight
140.37 mi
225.9 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Ward.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
140.37 mi
Kilometers
225.9 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
156.45 mi
Kilometers
251.78 km
Drive Time
02h 32m

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 02h 32m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Fort Smith
Sun, Apr 19, 4:26 PM CDT
Return by in Ward
Sun, Apr 19, 6:58 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Ward
2026-04-19T13:54
Arrive Fort Smith
Sun, Apr 19, 4:26 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 32m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:32 AM to 12:32 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:26 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Ward
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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
London
AR

City in Pope County, Arkansas, United States

From Ward
78.1 mi
01h 16m
To Fort Smith
78.3 mi
01h 16m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
72°F
Sunday

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 mph NNW
Destination
73°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on 2nd Street

    13 m · 3 sec · 2nd Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Moore Street

    1002 ft · 20 sec · Moore Street

  3. 3

    Continue on North Street

    14.8 mi · 26 min · North Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto State Highway 107

    1142 ft · 25 sec · State Highway 107

  5. 5

    Turn left onto Vilonia Bypass

    6.5 mi · 8 min · Vilonia Bypass

  6. 6

    Continue on State Highway 64

    5.4 mi · 7 min · State Highway 64

  7. 7

    Continue on East Oak Street

    1.6 mi · 3 min · East Oak Street

  8. 8

    Take the exit straight

    2355 ft · 57 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    118.6 mi · 1 hr 59 min

  10. 10

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

    6.5 mi · 8 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward Grand Avenue

    1259 ft · 34 sec

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Grand Avenue

    1.9 mi · 4 min · Grand Avenue

  13. 13

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Grand Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Ward 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
13 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
East Oak Street
121 mi · 77%
North Street
14.8 mi · 9%
I 540 South
6.53 mi · 4%
Vilonia Bypass
6.48 mi · 4%
State Highway 64
5.41 mi · 3%
Grand Avenue
2.14 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

East Oak Street

Merge slight left

119 mi · 01h 59m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 32m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 04m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+16.1 mi
140.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
London
01h 16m from Ward
Leave By
1:26 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny leaving Ward 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 Ward to Fort Smith?

The road trip is about 156.5 miles (251.8 km) and usually takes 02h 32m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

London is a useful midpoint, sitting about 78.1 miles from Ward and 78.3 miles from Fort Smith.

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

The direct path is about 140.4 miles (225.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.1 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:26 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.90 one way or $41.81 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny around Ward and Sunny near Fort Smith.

Stop Ideas Near London

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

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

RAIL

Little Rock Union Station

109 mi away
1400 West Markham Street
RAIL

Malvern station

114 mi away
200 East First St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Ward and Fort Smith. Straight-line distance: 140.37 mi (225.9 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Ward

Township in Lonoke County, Arkansas

Population5,486
Coordinates35.0303600, -91.9504200
Altitude74
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: 2nd Street (-91.950428, 35.030369)
End: Grand Avenue (-94.39855, 35.385923)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 252 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 12m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 54m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 07m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 36m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 14m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 57m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.52 gal
20.9 L · about $20.90
Round trip
$41.81
11.04 gal · 41.8 L
Estimated CO2
49.1 kg one way
Round trip: 98.1 kg / 216 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $20.90 $41.81
Mid-grade $4.26 $23.51 $47.02
Premium $4.63 $25.53 $51.06
Diesel $5.42 $29.89 $59.78

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

There is no time difference between Ward and Fort Smith. The current time is 13:54:27.

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.