Traveling from Fort Smith to Brookland covers 265.8 miles across Arkansas, making it a manageable journey that fits perfectly into a single day of driving. You should anticipate approximately 4 hours and 51 minutes of time behind the wheel, depending on your pace and traffic conditions. With a fuel budget of roughly $41, this trip is quite economical for a solo traveler or a small group. Since the route stays entirely within the Southeast region of the state, you won't experience drastic climate or topographical shifts, but you will cross a significant portion of the Arkansas landscape. It is a straightforward highway-focused drive that doesn't require an overnight stay, allowing you to reach your destination comfortably before sunset if you depart early.
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
132.9 miles from Fort Smith, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 19m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 71
119.2 mi
1h 59m
US 64
74.6 mi
1h 17m
Vilonia Bypass
25.9 mi
32m
US 78
12.1 mi
13m
Southwest Drive
7.4 mi
9m
I 540
5.7 mi
6m
State Highway 64
5.4 mi
6m
East Johnson Avenue
5.3 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
US 71
— 119.2 mi, about 1h 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Smith, AR and Brookland, AR.
1
Start on Grand Avenue
2.0 mi·3 min·Grand Avenue
2
Turn left
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 540 North, US 71 North
3
Merge onto I 540; US 71
5.7 mi·6 min·I 540; US 71
4
Keep slight right at fork onto US 71
119 mi·1 hr 59 min·US 71
Toward I 40 East: Little Rock, MemphisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward US 64
6
Keep slight left at fork
212 ft·8 sec
7
Turn left onto US 64
1.8 mi·3 min·East Oak Street
8
Continue on US 64
5.4 mi·6 min·State Highway 64
9
Continue on US 64
26 mi·32 min·Vilonia Bypass
Use the straight lane.
10
Take the exit onto US 64
75 mi·1 hr 17 min·US 64
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward AR 226: Jonesboro
12
Keep slight right at fork
346 ft·8 sec
13
Merge onto US 78; AR 226
12 mi·13 min·US 78; AR 226
14
Continue on US 49; US 63; US 78
7.4 mi·9 min·Southwest Drive
15
Turn right onto AR 18
2.1 mi·3 min·East Highland Drive
16
Turn left onto US 49; AR 1
2.4 mi·3 min·Red Wolf Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
17
Continue on US 49; AR 1
5.3 mi·8 min·East Johnson Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Turn right onto US 49B
0.7 mi·1 min·South Holman Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Turn left onto West Hinkley Avenue
189 ft·8 sec·West Hinkley Avenue
20
Arrive at destination
West Hinkley Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of your time, try to depart early in the morning to avoid midday traffic fluctuations on the busier highway sections. Since the trip requires only one planned stop, you have plenty of flexibility to stretch your legs whenever you feel the need. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during that long 119.2-mile stretch on US 71, as services may be spaced out depending on your exact timing. If you find yourself getting fatigued, remember that you have nearly five hours of travel ahead and should prioritize safety over speed. A helpful tip for this specific route is to keep your navigation apps updated, as the Vilonia Bypass can significantly impact your arrival time by helping you navigate around local 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 132.9 miles from Fort Smith, AR, or about 2h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 119.2 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 58 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132.9 miles or 2h 19m 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 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brookland, AR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fort Smith, 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 Fort Smith, AR
This is one driving day of about 265.8 miles and 4h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Fort Smith, 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 71 for about 119.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 2 and 265.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
2 mi into trip|~3m in
Turn left toward I 540 North, US 71 North
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 540 North, US 71 North
8
8 mi into trip|~11m in|US 71
Keep slight right at fork onto US 71 toward I 40 East: Little Rock, Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 40 East: Little Rock, Memphis
5
127.4 mi into trip|~2h 11m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
257.4 mi into trip|~4h 38m in|US 49; AR 1 / Red Wolf Boulevard
Turn left onto US 49; AR 1 / Red Wolf Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
265.1 mi into trip|~4h 50m in|US 49B / South Holman Street
Turn right onto US 49B / South Holman Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.14 one way
$80.28 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$44.07
$88.13
premium
$4.56
$47.71
$95.42
diesel
$5.61
$58.69
$117.37
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
79.7
0
$27.91
$12.76
Efficient EV
66.5
0
$23.26
$10.63
EV Truck/SUV
106.3
1
$37.21
$17.01
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% 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
Fort Smith, AR
Night
in Fort Smith on Saturday
Local time
11:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Brookland, AR
Night
in Brookland on Saturday
Local time
11:34 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 51m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This journey is defined by a heavy reliance on major thoroughfares, with 82% of the route consisting of highway travel. You will spend the bulk of your time navigating via US 71, US 64, and the Vilonia Bypass, which keeps the flow of traffic consistent. Be prepared for a significant initial leg, as your longest uninterrupted stretch spans 119.2 miles along US 71. The character of the road remains relatively predictable throughout the drive, shifting away from the more congested corridors as you transition toward the northeastern part of the state. It is a practical, no-nonsense path designed for efficiency rather than leisurely cruising.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 119.2 mi on US 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 71 and US 64. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 265.8 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8 miles (US 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 127.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 51m. Total distance: 265.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 119.2 miles on US 71. 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.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Brookland, AR before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8 miles (US 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 127.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Brookland, AR, but most travelers stay overnight.
