Origin
Dardanelle, AR
Evening in Dardanelle on Saturday
Local time
8:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Dardanelle, 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
1h 35m
Distance
87.9 mi
141 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 28m
★
6 AM
1h 35m
8 AM
1h 50m
10 AM
1h 40m
12 PM
1h 39m
3 PM
1h 41m
5 PM
1h 49m
8 PM
1h 31m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dardanelle, AR
karl sune
Trip Overview
Dardanelle to Fort Smith is 87.9 miles and takes about 1 hour 35 minutes via I 40 and US 71, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Arkansas, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. It's a straightforward highway-focused trip, ideal for a quick connection between these two cities. You'll spend most of your time on major roadways, making it an efficient way to get from point A to point B without much fuss. Plan for a smooth journey that requires minimal complex navigation.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
44 miles from Dardanelle, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 48m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 40 | 69.6 mi | 1h 9m |
| US 71 | 6.5 mi | 7m |
| West Main Street | 4.6 mi | 7m |
| Union Street | 4.4 mi | 5m |
| Grand Avenue | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| Mission Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Lakewood Drive | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 69.6 mi, about 1h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dardanelle, AR and Fort Smith, AR.
1
Start on AR 7
4.4 mi
·
5 min
·
Union Street
2
Turn left onto US 64
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
West Main Street
3
Continue on US 64
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
West Main Street
4
Turn right onto Mission Road
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Mission Road
5
Continue on Lakewood Drive
367 ft
·
9 sec
·
Lakewood Drive
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 78
Toward I-40
7
Merge onto I 40
70 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
I 40
8
Take the exit onto US 71
6.5 mi
·
7 min
·
US 71
Toward I 540 South, US 71 South: Fort Smith
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 6
Toward Grand Avenue
10
Turn right onto Grand Avenue
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Grand Avenue
11
Arrive at destination
Grand Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of just 1 hour and 35 minutes, this trip is easily accomplished in a single day. You'll want to depart Dardanelle with ample time to reach Fort Smith, perhaps leaving mid-morning to avoid any potential rush hour congestion. With a fuel cost estimated at $13, ensure your tank is topped off before you leave Dardanelle, as the longest stretch on I 40 is quite long and you'll want to be prepared. There are no designated stops mentioned, so plan for a quick break if needed, but this drive is short enough that you might not require one.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 44 miles from Dardanelle, AR, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 69.6 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 19 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44 miles or 48m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 18m
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 Dardanelle, AR so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Dardanelle, AR
This is one driving day of about 87.9 miles and 1h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Dardanelle, AR.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 69.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
44 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 44 miles from Dardanelle, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 69.6 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 75 decision points cluster between mile 4.4 and 85.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
4.4 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
US 64 / West Main Street
Turn left onto US 64 / West Main Street
Navigation decision point
3
9 mi into trip
|
~12m in
|
Mission Road
Turn right onto Mission Road
Navigation decision point
6
9.3 mi into trip
|
~13m in
Take the ramp toward I-40
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Exit 78
Toward I-40
5
79.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 23m 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
85.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 31m in
Take the exit toward Grand Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 6
Toward Grand Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.27 one way
$26.55 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
31 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $14.57 | $29.15 |
| premium | $4.56 | $15.78 | $31.55 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $19.41 | $38.81 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 26.4 | 0 | $9.23 | $4.22 |
| Efficient EV | 22 | 0 | $7.69 | $3.52 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 35.2 | 0 | $12.31 | $5.63 |
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (68% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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.
Destination
Fort Smith, AR
Evening in Fort Smith on Saturday
Local time
8:27 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
1h 35m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a highway experience, with 87% of the drive utilizing major roads like I 40 and US 71. You'll encounter a substantial uninterrupted stretch of 69.6 miles on I 40, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of your travel. The character of the drive is largely dictated by these faster, more direct highways, suggesting a smooth and efficient journey. While the profile is 'Highway-focused', expect the transition to West Main Street in Fort Smith to bring you into a more local, potentially slower, urban environment as you reach your destination.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
11 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 69.6 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
1/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and US 71. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 4.4 miles in near US 64 / West Main Street.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Dardanelle, AR to Fort Smith, AR is easy. At 1h 35m with 87% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 4.4 miles (US 64 / West Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 9 miles (Mission Road): Navigation decision point; at 9.3 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch.
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 1h 35m. Total distance: 87.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 69.6 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.4 miles (US 64 / West Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 9 miles (Mission Road): Navigation decision point; at 9.3 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Fort Smith, AR before heading back.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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