Origin
Fort Smith, AR
Late night in Fort Smith on Tuesday
Local time
4:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h
Distance
52.7 mi
85 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Coal Hill, AR
Braeson Holland
If you are looking for a quick and straightforward transit across Arkansas, this 52.7-mile connection from Fort Smith to Coal Hill is an efficient choice. The drive takes approximately one hour, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day trip that requires no overnight stops. With a fuel budget of about $8, it is a very economical journey for solo travelers or families alike. Because the route is entirely contained within the Southeast region, you will experience a consistent geographical feel from start to finish. It is a practical, no-nonsense path designed for those who prioritize speed and simplicity over detours. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a short excursion, the predictable nature of this drive makes it easy to fit into any busy schedule.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 71 | 39 mi | 39m |
| I 540 | 5.7 mi | 6m |
| Highway 164 | 4.4 mi | 7m |
| Grand Avenue | 2 mi | 3m |
| US 64 | 1 mi | 1m |
| 3rd Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Oak Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Smith, AR and Coal Hill, AR.
Start on Grand Avenue
Turn left
Merge onto I 540; US 71
Keep slight right at fork onto US 71
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork onto AR 164
Turn right onto US 64
Turn left onto 3rd Street
Turn right onto Oak Street
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
26 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 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 26.4 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.
5 decision points cluster between mile 2 and 52.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left toward I 540 North, US 71 North
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
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
Take the exit toward AR 164: Coal Hill, Hartman
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto AR 164 / Highway 164
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Turn right onto Oak Street
Navigation decision point
Regular Gas
$7.96 one way
$15.92 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $8.74 | $17.47 |
| premium | $4.56 | $9.46 | $18.92 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $11.64 | $23.27 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Estimated CO2 emission: 18.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 15.8 | 0 | $5.53 | $2.53 |
| Efficient EV | 13.2 | 0 | $4.61 | $2.11 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 21.1 | 0 | $7.38 | $3.37 |
Gas CO2
18 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (67% 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
Late night in Fort Smith on Tuesday
Local time
4:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Coal Hill on Tuesday
Local time
4:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
76°F
Mulberry, AR
26 mi in
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
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.
Expect a high-speed experience, as 95% of this journey is comprised of highway driving. You will spend the bulk of your time navigating via US 71, I-540, and Highway 164, which keeps the pace steady and the navigation simple. The longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on US 71, where you will cover 39 miles of highway before transitioning to the next leg of the trip. Behind the wheel, you will find this to be a highway-focused drive that favors efficiency over technical maneuvering. It is the type of route where you can settle into a consistent rhythm, as the transitions between the major thoroughfares are designed to keep traffic moving smoothly toward your destination.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 71 and I 540. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2 miles in.
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 52.7 miles you will encounter 8 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 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 47 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Fort Smith, AR and Coal Hill, AR, road signs point toward Memphis and Hartman.
Memphis
Hartman
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 1h. Total distance: 52.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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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