Traveling from Fort Smith to Tennessee, Arkansas, covers 246.7 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 24 minutes. Because this journey fits comfortably into a single day, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend roughly $34 on fuel for the trip, making it a budget-friendly excursion within the Southeast region. The route utilizes a combination of I-540 North, I-40 East, and AR-530 South to navigate the landscape. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick getaway, this itinerary provides a straightforward path across the state. It is an ideal distance for a one-day round trip if you prefer to stay mobile and keep your travel schedule simple.
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
123.3 miles from Fort Smith, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 7m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 71
145.8 mi
2h 27m
I 530
43.9 mi
45m
Highway 530
22.9 mi
26m
US 425
15.7 mi
20m
I 540
5.7 mi
6m
US 65
4.6 mi
6m
West Gaines Avenue
2.6 mi
4m
Grand Avenue
2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
US 71
— 145.8 mi, about 2h 27m
Traffic on I-530
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~881 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,083
Quietest
2 AM
~65 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
13.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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Averaged across 15 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 Tennessee, 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
146 mi·2 hr 27 min·US 71
Toward I 40 East: Little Rock, MemphisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit onto US 65
4.6 mi·6 min·US 65
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 530; US 65; US 167
44 mi·45 min·I 530; US 65; US 167
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.7 mi·52 sec
Exit 44Toward AR 530 South: Star City, Monticello
8
Continue on AR 530
23 mi·26 min·Highway 530
9
At end of road, turn left onto AR 11
2.0 mi·2 min·Highway 11
10
Turn right onto US 425
16 mi·20 min·US 425
11
Take the exit
226 ft·6 sec
12
Turn slight right onto US 278
2.6 mi·4 min·West Gaines Avenue
13
Turn left onto Tennessee Spur Road
0.3 mi·1 min·Tennessee Spur Road
14
Arrive at destination
Tennessee Spur Road
Trip Plan
Planning for this 4-hour and 24-minute drive is best done with a flexible schedule, given the nature of the local roads. Since you have one planned stop along the way, use that time to stretch your legs and refuel your vehicle, keeping your $34 fuel budget in mind. Leaving early in the day is your best bet to avoid potential traffic congestion on the turn-heavy portions of the route. Because the drive is relatively short, you have the advantage of deciding your own pace without feeling rushed. A concrete tip for this specific path is to remain alert for sharp transitions when moving between the primary roads, as the navigation will require frequent focus rather than passive highway cruising.
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 123.3 miles from Fort Smith, AR, or about 2h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 145.8 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 54 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 123.3 miles or 2h 7m 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tennessee, 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 246.7 miles and 4h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 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 145.8 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 2 and 226 — 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
6
158.4 mi into trip|~2h 44m in|I 530; US 65; US 167
Keep slight left at fork onto I 530; US 65; US 167
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
6
202.3 mi into trip|~3h 29m in
Take the exit toward AR 530 South: Star City, Monticello
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 44
Toward AR 530 South: Star City, Monticello
5
226 mi into trip|~3h 57m in|AR 11 / Highway 11
At end of road, turn left onto AR 11 / Highway 11
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.25 one way
$68.49 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg86 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$38.32
$76.63
premium
$4.29
$41.66
$83.31
diesel
$4.80
$46.58
$93.16
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74
0
$25.90
$11.84
Efficient EV
61.7
0
$21.59
$9.87
EV Truck/SUV
98.7
1
$34.54
$15.79
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (66% 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Fort Smith, AR
Late night
in Fort Smith on Sunday
Local time
2:09 AM
CDT
Current temp
95°F
Sunny
S 0 to 5 mph17% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 4:25AM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:07AM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Little Rock AR
Destination
Tennessee, AR
Late night
in Tennessee on Sunday
Local time
2:09 AM
CDT
Current temp
97°F
Sunny
W 0 to 5 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 4:25AM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:07AM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Little Rock AR
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
2 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 24m 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?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route features a 0% highway share, meaning you will spend your time navigating local roads rather than cruising long stretches of high-speed pavement. In fact, there are 0 miles of uninterrupted driving on I-540 North, so prepare for frequent adjustments and varying speeds. The road’s personality is defined by these technical sections, which keep the drive engaging from start to finish. You should anticipate a dynamic experience where the road surface and path change regularly as you transition between the segments of your journey.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 145.8 mi on US 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 71 and I 530. 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.
Driving Effort5/10
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 246.7 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 158.4 miles (I 530; US 65; US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
570 ft238 ft
Total Climb
204 ft
Total Descent
402 ft
Highest Point
570 ft
~35.2 mi in
Elevation Range
333 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Fort Smith, AR to Tennessee, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Monticello along the way.
Monticello
202.3 mi in|~3h 29m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
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
Tennessee is a US state in the South known for its rich history, music, and the Appalachian Mountains along its eastern border. Many visitors come to see Elvis Presley's home, Graceland, or the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 24m. Total distance: 246.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 145.8 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
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 158.4 miles (I 530; US 65; US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Tennessee, AR, but most travelers stay overnight.
