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Trip from Bono, AR to Fort Smith, AR

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 41m

Distance

255.1 mi

411 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$39

one way

EV Charging

Fair

4 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 28m ★
6 AM
4h 41m
8 AM
5h 8m
10 AM
4h 51m
12 PM
4h 48m
3 PM
4h 52m
5 PM
5h 7m
8 PM
4h 33m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Craighead County, Arkansas, United States

Bono, AR

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 255.1-mile drive from Bono, Arkansas, to Fort Smith, Arkansas, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in a single day. Expect to spend about 4 hours and 41 minutes on the road, with a fuel cost estimated at $39. You'll primarily be using I-40 and I-57, with a segment on US-64, making it a 96% highway experience. This route is entirely within the Southeast region of Arkansas, so you won't see a change in regional landscape. Given the manageable distance and duration, it's an ideal day trip for those looking to cover ground efficiently.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

127.6 miles from Bono, AR

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 30m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 40 118.6 mi 1h 58m
I 57 81.9 mi 1h 24m
US 64 33 mi 42m
West Church Street 7.9 mi 13m
US 71 6.5 mi 7m
AR 230 3.2 mi 5m
Grand Avenue 1.9 mi 3m
AR 91 1 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 40 — 118.6 mi, about 1h 58m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Bono, AR and Fort Smith, AR.

1

Start on US 63B

164 ft · 9 sec · US 63B
2

Turn left onto AR 230

7.9 mi · 13 min · West Church Street
3

At end of road, turn left onto AR 91; AR 230

1.0 mi · 1 min · AR 91; AR 230
4

Turn right onto AR 230

3.2 mi · 5 min · AR 230
5

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 42 sec
6

Merge onto I 57

82 mi · 1 hr 24 min · I 57
7

Take the exit onto US 64

0.4 mi · 49 sec · US 64
Toward US 64 West, I 57 Business North: Beebe, Conway
8

Keep slight right at fork onto US 64

33 mi · 41 min · US 64
Toward US 64 West: Conway
9

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 57 sec
10

Merge onto I 40; US 65

119 mi · 1 hr 58 min · I 40; US 65
11

Take the exit onto US 71

6.5 mi · 7 min · US 71
Toward I 540 South, US 71 South: Fort Smith
12

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 33 sec
Exit 6 Toward Grand Avenue
13

Turn right onto Grand Avenue

1.9 mi · 3 min · Grand Avenue
14

Arrive at destination

Grand Avenue

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 4-hour and 41-minute drive, consider an early morning departure to avoid potential traffic and maximize daylight hours. With just one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 118.6 miles, you can be strategic about when you choose to refuel or take a break. The estimated fuel cost of $39 suggests planning for at least one fill-up. Given it's a single-day trip, having flexibility with your stop timing is an advantage, but be sure to check your fuel levels before entering the longest uninterrupted segment on I-40.

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 127.6 miles from Bono, AR, or about 2h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 118.6 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 56 miles or 1h 7m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 127.6 miles or 2h 30m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 52m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fort Smith, AR than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Bono, AR so your first major turns are already loaded.

+

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

+

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Bono, AR

This is one driving day of about 255.1 miles and 4h 41m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from Bono, AR.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 118.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Conway, AR, AR

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Conway, AR

128 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

McCrory, AR

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 56 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Conway, AR

Meal break

The midpoint is around 127.6 miles from Bono, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 118.6 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

George's Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Fort Smith, Arkansas

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 255.1

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+14797851199

Visit website

Phở Việtnam

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Fort Smith, Arkansas

0.8 mi

Crosswoods Restaurant & Sports Club

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Clarksville, Arkansas

1 mi

George's Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 255.1

Fort Smith, Arkansas

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+14797851199

Visit website

Phở Việtnam

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 255.1

Fort Smith, Arkansas

Hours: 10:30 am–8 pm

+14797823227

Visit website

Crosswoods Restaurant & Sports Club

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately mile 200.5

Clarksville, Arkansas

Hours: 3 pm–12 am

+14797548080

Visit website

Neumeier's Whippoorwill Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 255.1

Fort Smith, Arkansas

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+14797692095

Visit website

Hunan Restaurant

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 36.4

Newport, Arkansas

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18705234600

Lewis' Family Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 255.1

Fort Smith, Arkansas

Hours: 6 am–3 pm

+14796464309

Tesla Supercharger

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 127.6

Conway, Arkansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 36.4

Newport, Arkansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.1 mi from route mile 127.6

Conway, Arkansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 36.4

Newport, Arkansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 12

5 decision points cluster between mile 7.9 and 253 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
7.9 mi into trip | ~14m in | AR 91; AR 230

At end of road, turn left onto AR 91; AR 230

Navigation decision point

5
94.4 mi into trip | ~1h 47m in | US 64

Take the exit onto US 64 toward US 64 West, I 57 Business North: Beebe, Conway

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 64 West, I 57 Business North: Beebe,...
5
94.8 mi into trip | ~1h 47m in | US 64

Keep slight right at fork onto US 64 toward US 64 West: Conway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward US 64 West: Conway
5
246.5 mi into trip | ~4h 29m in | US 71

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

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 540 South, US 71 South: Fort Smith
5
253 mi into trip | ~4h 37m in

Take the exit toward Grand Avenue

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 6 Toward Grand Avenue

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$38.53 one way

$77.05 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 89 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $42.29 $84.58
premium $4.56 $45.79 $91.57
diesel $5.61 $56.32 $112.65

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$39

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$64–$89

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 89.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 76.5 0 $26.79 $12.24
Efficient EV 63.8 0 $22.32 $10.20
EV Truck/SUV 102 1 $35.71 $16.33

Gas CO2

89 kg

EV CO2

30 kg (66% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Bono, AR

Night in Bono on Saturday

Local time

11:35 PM

CDT

Current temp

76°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Fort Smith, AR

Night in Fort Smith on Saturday

Local time

11:35 PM

CDT

Current temp

76°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

4h 41m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

The personality of this drive is decidedly highway-centric, with 96% of the journey taking place on major interstates and highways. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 118.6 miles on I-40, offering a chance to settle into a steady pace. While predominantly interstate driving, the inclusion of US-64 provides a slight variation before rejoining the faster highways. This route prioritizes speed and directness over winding backroads, making it a functional commute or transit corridor.

96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 118.6 mi on I 40.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and I 57. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 7.9 miles in near AR 91; AR 230.

Driving Effort 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 255.1 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 7.9 miles (AR 91; AR 230): Navigation decision point; at 94.4 miles (US 64): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 94.8 miles (US 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

712 ft 226 ft

Total Climb

650 ft

Total Descent

478 ft

Highest Point

712 ft

~218.7 mi in

Elevation Range

486 ft

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Bono, AR to Fort Smith, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Conway along the way.

Conway

94.4 mi in | ~1h 47m | via US 64

About the Cities

Arriving in Fort Smith, AR

Full guide →

Fort Smith is in northwest Arkansas and borders Oklahoma. It is the county seat of Sebastian County. The city has a population of 80,286 which makes it the third largest city in Arkansas behind Little Rock and Fayetteville. It is located in the River Valley of Arkansas between the Ouachita mountains in the south and the Boston and Ozark mountains of the north and a gateway city to the Ozarks.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 41m. Total distance: 255.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 118.6 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

The main spots that need attention: at 7.9 miles (AR 91; AR 230): Navigation decision point; at 94.4 miles (US 64): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 94.8 miles (US 64): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Fort Smith, AR, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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