Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
59m
Distance
39.8 mi
64 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Booneville, AR
Wikimedia Commons
This straightforward 39.8-mile drive from Fort Smith, AR, to Booneville, AR, is easily manageable within a single day, taking approximately 59 minutes. The route primarily utilizes West Center Street and US 71 before merging onto I-540, with about 35% of the journey on highways. With a modest fuel cost estimated at $6, this trip is an economical choice for a quick excursion. Given its short duration and lack of designated stops, it’s perfect for a spontaneous outing or as a segment of a larger Southeast region journey. You'll find the drive offers a mixed experience, making it suitable for a relaxed day trip.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| West Center Street | 23.7 mi | 35m |
| US 71 | 8.7 mi | 13m |
| I 540 | 5.2 mi | 5m |
| Grand Avenue | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| East Main Street | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Smith, AR and Booneville, AR.
Start on Grand Avenue
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 540; US 71
Take the exit onto US 71
Turn left onto US 71
Turn left onto AR 10S
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
20 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.
A short stop after about 39.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 19.9 miles from Fort Smith, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
3 decision points cluster between mile 2.2 and 16.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Merge onto I 540; US 71
Merge point - match speed before joining
Take the exit onto US 71 toward US 71 South: Texarkana
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Turn left onto AR 10S / West Center Street
Navigation decision point
Regular Gas
$6.01 one way
$12.02 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $6.60 | $13.20 |
| premium | $4.56 | $7.14 | $14.29 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $8.79 | $17.57 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$6
Estimated CO2 emission: 13.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 11.9 | 0 | $4.18 | $1.91 |
| Efficient EV | 10 | 0 | $3.48 | $1.59 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 15.9 | 0 | $5.57 | $2.55 |
Gas CO2
14 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (64% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Fort Smith on Tuesday
Local time
7:43 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Destination
Morning in Booneville on Tuesday
Local time
7:43 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
77°F
Greenwood, AR
20 mi in
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Your drive will begin on West Center Street, which forms the longest uninterrupted stretch at 23.7 miles, offering a more local feel. As you progress, you'll transition to US 71 and then briefly onto I-540, incorporating highway driving into the mix. With 35% of the route on faster roads, you can expect periods of quicker travel interspersed with more deliberate pacing on the local segments. This mixed profile means the road's character shifts, providing a varied driving experience rather than a monotonous journey.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 2.2 miles in near I 540; US 71.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Fort Smith, AR to Booneville, AR is easy. At 59m with 35% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.2 miles (I 540; US 71): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 7.4 miles (US 71): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 16.2 miles (AR 10S / West Center Street): Navigation decision point.
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).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 59m. Total distance: 39.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (35%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
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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