Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 33m
Distance
243.5 mi
392 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$36
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fort Smith, AR
Wikimedia Commons
Harrisburg, AR
Wikimedia Commons
Fort Smith, AR to Harrisburg, AR is 243.5 miles and takes about 4h 33m via US 71 and US 64, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Arkansas, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. With 83% of the drive on highways, expect a relatively straightforward trip. This route is a good option if you're looking for a direct connection between these two points without extensive detours.
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
121.7 miles from Fort Smith, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 5m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 71 | 119.2 mi | 1h 59m |
| US 64 | 51.9 mi | 52m |
| Vilonia Bypass | 25.9 mi | 32m |
| State Highway 14 | 19.4 mi | 29m |
| Main Street | 6.1 mi | 9m |
| I 540 | 5.7 mi | 6m |
| State Highway 64 | 5.4 mi | 6m |
| Amagon Street | 4.1 mi | 6m |
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Smith, AR and Harrisburg, 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 left at fork
Turn left onto US 64
Continue on US 64
Continue on US 64
Take the exit onto US 64
Take the exit
Turn right onto AR 14
Continue on AR 14; AR 37
Continue on AR 14
Continue on AR 14
Continue on AR 14
Arrive at destination
Given the 4h 33m drive time, starting in the morning is ideal to allow for flexibility with your single recommended stop. The fuel cost is estimated at $36, so ensure your tank is full before leaving Fort Smith. While the longest stretch without a significant break is over 100 miles on US 71, keep an eye out for services along the way. The Vilonia Bypass marks a change in road type, so be prepared for a shift in driving conditions at that point.
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.
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 54 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 121.7 miles or 2h 5m 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 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Harrisburg, AR than in the middle of the route.
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 243.5 miles and 4h 33m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
122 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 54 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 121.7 miles from Fort Smith, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 71 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 119.2 miles.
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 212.6 — 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 US 64
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Take the exit toward AR 14: Waldenburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Regular Gas
$35.67 one way
$71.34 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.13 | $39.60 | $79.20 |
| premium | $4.49 | $43.01 | $86.01 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $53.68 | $107.35 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 73.1 | 0 | $25.57 | $11.69 |
| Efficient EV | 60.9 | 0 | $21.31 | $9.74 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 97.4 | 1 | $34.09 | $15.58 |
Gas CO2
85 kg
EV CO2
28 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Fort Smith on Wednesday
Local time
11:56 PM
CDT
Current temp
98°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Destination
Night in Harrisburg on Wednesday
Local time
11:56 PM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Sunny
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
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
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.
This drive is primarily highway, with 83% of the 243.5 miles on high-speed roads. You'll experience a continuous stretch of 119.2 miles on US 71 before transitioning to other roads like US 64 and the Vilonia Bypass. Expect to encounter a good number of exits and potential for merging traffic as you approach and pass through populated areas.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 71 and US 64. You will hit about 9 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 243.5 miles you will encounter 9 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 127.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
389 ft
Total Descent
516 ft
Highest Point
596 ft
~34.8 mi in
Elevation Range
377 ft
Founded 1817
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.
Top landmarks
Harrisburg is the capital and 4th-largest metropolitan area of Pennsylvania, with a metro population of 592,000 people in 2020. Harrisburg is known as the host city of the Pennsylvania Farm Show, the largest free indoor agriculture exposition in the United States, the largest annual outdoor sports show in North America, an auto show, which features a large static display of new and classic cars, and Motorama, a two-day event consisting of a car show, motocross racing, and remote control car racing.
Top landmarks
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 33m. Total distance: 243.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). 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, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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