Fort Smith, AR to Newport, KY is 747 miles and takes about 13 hours 46 minutes via US 71 and I-69, with a fuel budget near $109 and an overnight stay recommended. This is a long-haul drive that crosses from the Southeast region of Arkansas into Kentucky. With a recommended two days for travel, you'll have ample time to break up the 747 miles and enjoy the transition between states. Plan for a significant amount of time on the road, making this a trip best suited for those who don't mind extended driving periods.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
3 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
373.5 miles from Fort Smith, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 6h 49m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 71
119.2 mi
1h 59m
I 69
104 mi
1h 52m
Western Kentucky Parkway
99.2 mi
1h 46m
US 64
94.7 mi
1h 39m
I 71
89 mi
1h 38m
US 412
57.7 mi
1h 8m
1st Street
43.4 mi
48m
I 65
37.9 mi
41m
Longest stretch:
US 71
— 119.2 mi, about 1h 59m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~4,874 veh/hr typical
· worst 5,683
Quietest
2 AM
~696 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Smith, AR and Newport, KY.
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
95 mi·1 hr 39 min·US 64
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 412
0.5 mi·1 min·US 412
Toward US 412: Paragould, Walnut Ridge
12
Turn right onto US 412
56 mi·1 hr 6 min·US 412
13
Enter roundabout onto US 412
35 ft·0 sec·US 412
14
Continue on US 412
1.4 mi·1 min·US 412
15
Turn right onto US 412; MO 84
43 mi·48 min·1st Street
16
Continue on US 51
28 mi·32 min·US 51
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
18
Continue on TN 690
10 mi·10 min·TN 690
19
Continue on US 45W; US 51
5.6 mi·6 min·US 45W; US 51
20
Turn left onto US 45
0.6 mi·52 sec·West Highland Drive
21
Continue on US 45
0.2 mi·29 sec·Highland Drive
22
Turn left onto KY 1648
0.3 mi·27 sec·Nolan Avenue
23
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
24
Merge onto I 69
49 mi·52 min·I 69
25
Keep slight left at fork onto I 69
17 mi·17 min·I 69
Toward I 24 East, I 69 North: Nashville, Henderson
26
Take the exit onto I 69
38 mi·41 min·I 69
Exit 42Toward I 69 North: Elizabethtown, Princeton
27
Keep slight right at fork onto Western Kentucky Parkway
0.3 mi·22 sec·Western Kentucky Parkway
Exit 106A-BToward I 169 South: HopkinsvilleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
28
Continue on Western Kentucky Parkway
99 mi·1 hr 46 min·Western Kentucky Parkway
Exit 106BToward ElizabethtownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Exit 137BToward I 65 North: Lexington, LouisvilleUse the right lane.
30
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
31
Merge onto I 65
38 mi·41 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Take the exit
0.7 mi·58 sec
Exit 131-AToward I 264: Watterson Expressway, AirportUse the slight right lane.
33
Keep slight right at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 131AToward I 264 East: Watterson ExpresswayUse the slight right lane.
34
Merge onto I 264
10 mi·13 min·Henry Watterson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·31 sec
Exit 23AToward I 71 North: CincinnatiUse the slight right lane.
36
Merge onto I 71
71 mi·1 hr 16 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Keep slight left at fork onto I 71
18 mi·21 min·I 71
Toward I 75 North, I 71 North: CincinnatiUse the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Exit 191Toward 12th Street, Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard, Pike Street, CovingtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Turn right onto KY 1120
1.1 mi·2 min·West Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
Use the right lane.
40
Continue on KY 1120
0.2 mi·41 sec·West 11th Street
41
Turn left onto Brighton Street
0.1 mi·20 sec·Brighton Street
42
Turn right onto West 10th Street
0.3 mi·46 sec·West 10th Street
43
Turn left onto Central Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Central Avenue
44
Turn right onto West 5th Street
0.2 mi·26 sec·West 5th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
45
Arrive at destination
West 5th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 13-hour 46-minute duration, this trip is best split over two days. Aim to leave Fort Smith in the morning to make good progress on your first leg. Plan for around three stops to refuel and stretch your legs, ensuring you stay comfortable during the long haul. The longest stretch on US 71 is nearly 120 miles, so be sure to top off your fuel before entering that segment. Consider breaking the drive roughly in half to avoid fatigue, perhaps stopping around the Western Kentucky Parkway area.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 3 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 373.5 miles from Fort Smith, AR, or about 6h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 119.2 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 164 miles or 2h 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 373.5 miles or 6h 49m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 373.5 miles or 6h 49m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 12h 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Newport, KY 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Fort Smith, AR
Aim for roughly 374 miles and 6.9 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Newport, KY
Aim for roughly 374 miles and 6.9 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 164 miles from Fort Smith, AR.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 3 real breaks 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 35
5 decision points cluster between mile 8 and 644.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
8
505.5 mi into trip|~9h 14m in|Western Kentucky Parkway
Keep slight right at fork onto Western Kentucky Parkway toward I 169 South: Hopkinsville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 106A-B
Toward I 169 South: Hopkinsville
8
604.7 mi into trip|~11h 1m in
Take the exit toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 137B
Toward I 65 North: Lexington, Louisville
8
643.6 mi into trip|~11h 44m in
Take the exit toward I 264: Watterson Expressway, Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 131-A
Toward I 264: Watterson Expressway, Airport
8
644.3 mi into trip|~11h 45m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 264 East: Watterson Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 131A
Toward I 264 East: Watterson Expressway
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$101.46 one way
$202.93 round trip
$3.45/gal25.4 MPG avg261 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.85
$113.23
$226.45
premium
$4.15
$122.05
$244.10
diesel
$3.75
$110.29
$220.57
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$101
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$231–$341
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 261.4 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $78 in charging
· 2 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
224.1
2
$78.44
$35.86
Efficient EV
186.8
2
$65.36
$29.88
EV Truck/SUV
298.8
3
$104.58
$47.81
Gas CO2
261 kg
EV CO2
87 kg (67% less)
Plan for 2 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 Oct 15, 2026
Origin
Fort Smith, AR
Night
in Fort Smith on Friday
Local time
9:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 5 mph19% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued October 15 at 1:33PM CDT by NWS Little Rock AR
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued October 15 at 1:24PM CDT until October 16 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Little Rock AR
Destination
Newport, KY
Night
in Newport on Friday
Local time
10:19 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 2 to 9 mph49% chanceLive 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
Time zone
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
25 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
13h 46m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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 route features a high highway share, with 89% of the drive on major roads. Expect to encounter the longest stretch of continuous driving, 119.2 miles, on US 71. After the highway sections, you'll transition to surface roads, potentially noticing a change in traffic density and exit frequency. The overall drive is geared towards covering distance efficiently.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
45 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?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 71 and I 69. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 8 miles in near US 71.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 35 significant decision points across 747 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 8 miles (US 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 505.5 miles (Western Kentucky Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 604.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
767 ft229 ft
Total Climb
759 ft
Total Descent
686 ft
Highest Point
767 ft
~587 mi in
Elevation Range
538 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Fort Smith, AR and Newport, KY, road signs point toward Walnut Ridge, Henderson, Princeton, Elizabethtown, Louisville and Airport.
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
•Fort Smith National Cemetery — historic veterans cemetery in Sebastian County, Arkansas
•Maumelle Ordnance Works Locomotive 1
•West Garrison Avenue Historic District — historic district in Fort Smith, Arkansas
Newport is a city on the Ohio River in Kentucky's Northern Ohio River Region or as locals call it, Northern Kentucky.
Founded in the 1790s by James Taylor, Jr., Newport is named after British Admiral Christopher Newport, who helped to found the Jamestown colony in 1607. In its early years, Newport was home to an army post, which helped to spur the town's growth. Later, it was known as a vice district, given Cincinnati's conservative nature it was a perfect nearby refuge for burlesque, gambling, and other vices. The City had a strong mafia presence for many years.
Today, it is proximity to Cincinnati that provides the spur, as Newport's hotels and riverfront area draw visitors from the Queen City. The city is quite a bit more family friendly these days with Newport on the Levee having an aquarium and many family friendly events.
Top landmarks
•Newport Aquarium — aquarium located in Newport, Kentucky, United States
•Purple People Bridge — pedestrian crossing of the Ohio River connecting Newport, Kentucky, to Cincinnat...
•Salem Methodist Episcopal Church and Parsonage — church building in Kentucky, United States of America
The longest stretch is about 119.2 miles on US 71. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 374 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 46 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Newport, KY 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 3 meaningful breaks. There are 46 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 8 miles (US 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 505.5 miles (Western Kentucky Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 604.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 13.8 hours each way, a round trip means 27.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Newport, KY before the return drive.
