Origin
East End, AR
Morning in East End on Tuesday
Local time
8:35 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from East End, AR to Fort Smith, AR
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 4m
Distance
175.4 mi
282 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 53m
★
6 AM
3h 4m
8 AM
3h 27m
10 AM
3h 12m
12 PM
3h 10m
3 PM
3h 14m
5 PM
3h 26m
8 PM
2h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
East End, AR
Arjun Gheewala
Trip Overview
Embark on a 175.4-mile journey from East End, Arkansas, to Fort Smith, Arkansas, a drive that will take approximately 3 hours and 4 minutes. This route is primarily highway-focused, with 98% of it being on major roads, making it a straightforward trip. With a projected fuel cost of around $26, it's an economical option for a single day of travel. You'll spend most of your time on US 65 and US 71, traversing through the Southeast region of Arkansas. This drive is perfectly suited for a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
87.7 miles from East End, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 32m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 65 | 145.7 mi | 2h 27m |
| US 167 | 19.3 mi | 21m |
| US 71 | 6.5 mi | 7m |
| Grand Avenue | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| Arch Street Pike | 1.8 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
US 65
— 145.7 mi, about 2h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between East End, AR and Fort Smith, AR.
1
Start on AR 367
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Arch Street Pike
2
At end of road, turn left onto US 167
4.6 mi
·
5 min
·
US 167
3
Keep slight left at fork onto US 167
15 mi
·
16 min
·
US 167
Toward I 530 North, US 65 North, US 167 North: Little Rock
4
Keep slight left at fork onto US 65
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
US 65
Exit 143A
Toward I 40 West, US 65 North, AR 107 North: Conway, Fort Smith
5
Keep slight left at fork onto US 65
145 mi
·
2 hr 26 min
·
US 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit onto US 71
6.5 mi
·
7 min
·
US 71
Toward I 540 South, US 71 South: Fort Smith
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 6
Toward Grand Avenue
8
Turn right onto Grand Avenue
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Grand Avenue
9
Arrive at destination
Grand Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour duration and 175.4-mile distance, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to allow ample time for any unscheduled stops or to simply enjoy the drive. With only one designated stop suggested, you have flexibility in pacing yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 145.7-mile stretch on US 65, as services might be less frequent. This route is efficient, so consider leaving a bit later if you prefer to avoid early morning traffic.
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 87.7 miles from East End, AR, or about 1h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 145.7 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 39 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 87.7 miles or 1h 32m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 29m
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 East End, 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 East End, AR
This is one driving day of about 175.4 miles and 3h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from East End, 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 US 65 for about 145.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
88 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 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 87.7 miles from East End, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 65 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 145.7 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 6.3 and 173.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
6.3 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
US 167
Keep slight left at fork onto US 167 toward I 530 North, US 65 North, US 167 North: Little Rock
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 530 North, US 65 North, US 167 North:...
7
21 mi into trip
|
~24m in
|
US 65
Keep slight left at fork onto US 65 toward I 40 West, US 65 North, AR 107 North: Conway, Fort Smith
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 143A
Toward I 40 West, US 65 North, AR 107 North: Co...
6
21.3 mi into trip
|
~25m in
|
US 65
Keep slight left at fork onto US 65
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
166.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 52m 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
173.3 mi into trip
|
~3h in
Take the exit toward Grand Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 6
Toward Grand Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.49 one way
$52.98 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
61 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $29.08 | $58.16 |
| premium | $4.56 | $31.48 | $62.96 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $38.73 | $77.45 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 52.6 | 0 | $18.42 | $8.42 |
| Efficient EV | 43.9 | 0 | $15.35 | $7.02 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 70.2 | 0 | $24.56 | $11.23 |
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
21 kg (66% 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
Morning in Fort Smith on Tuesday
Local time
8:35 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°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
3h 4m 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 drive is predominantly a highway-focused experience, with the vast majority of your travel occurring on major roadways. You'll encounter 98% highway driving, so expect consistent speeds and limited local traffic interruptions. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 145.7 miles, primarily on US 65. This means you can settle in for a good portion of the drive without significant changes in road type or speed limits, offering a predictable and efficient journey from start to finish.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
9 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 145.7 mi on US 65.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 65 and US 167. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 6.3 miles in near US 167.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 4m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 6.3 miles (US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21 miles (US 65): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.3 miles (US 65): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 3h 4m. Total distance: 175.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 145.7 miles on US 65. 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 6.3 miles (US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21 miles (US 65): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.3 miles (US 65): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.1 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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