Marmaduke, AR to Fort Smith, AR is 291.9 miles and takes about 5h 20m via I 40 and US 64, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Arkansas, moving from the Southeast region towards the western part of the state. The majority of your travel will be on major highways, making for a straightforward drive. Consider this route if you're looking for a direct path across the state without extensive detours, suitable for a single day's travel.
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
145.9 miles from Marmaduke, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 45m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
118.6 mi
1h 58m
US 412
94.7 mi
1h 38m
US 64
33 mi
42m
West Kings Highway
24.5 mi
29m
US 49
8 mi
11m
US 71
6.5 mi
7m
East Franklin Street
3.5 mi
5m
Grand Avenue
1.9 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 118.6 mi, about 1h 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Marmaduke, AR and Fort Smith, AR.
1
Start on North 1st Street
39 ft·3 sec·North 1st Street
2
Turn right onto AR 34
516 ft·13 sec·State Highway 34
3
Enter roundabout onto US 49; AR 1
147 ft·2 sec·East Franklin Street
4
Continue on US 49; AR 1
3.5 mi·5 min·East Franklin Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
5
Continue on US 49; AR 1
3.5 mi·5 min·US 49; AR 1
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
6
Continue on US 49; AR 1
0.3 mi·22 sec·US 49; AR 1
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
Continue on US 49; AR 1
0.9 mi·1 min·US 49; AR 1
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Continue on US 49; AR 1
2.0 mi·2 min·US 49; AR 1
Use the straight / left lanes.
9
Continue on US 49; AR 1
0.9 mi·1 min·US 49; AR 1
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
10
Continue on US 49; AR 1
0.5 mi·44 sec·US 49; AR 1
Use the straight lane.
11
Turn right onto US 49Y
0.4 mi·41 sec·West Court Street
12
Turn right onto US 412B
25 mi·29 min·West Kings Highway
13
Take the exit onto US 412
95 mi·1 hr 38 min·US 412
14
Take the exit onto US 64
0.4 mi·49 sec·US 64
Toward US 64 West, I 57 Business North: Beebe, Conway
15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 64
33 mi·41 min·US 64
Toward US 64 West: Conway
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi·57 sec
17
Merge onto I 40; US 65
119 mi·1 hr 58 min·I 40; US 65
18
Take the exit onto US 71
6.5 mi·7 min·US 71
Toward I 540 South, US 71 South: Fort Smith
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·33 sec
Exit 6Toward Grand Avenue
20
Turn right onto Grand Avenue
1.9 mi·3 min·Grand Avenue
21
Arrive at destination
Grand Avenue
Trip Plan
To maximize daylight and minimize fatigue on this 5-hour drive, aim to depart Marmaduke in the morning. With only one recommended stop, you can choose to break up the drive roughly in half or push through to Fort Smith and stop once you arrive. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 118.6-mile stretch on I 40, as services can be spaced out. The fuel cost estimate of $41 should help you budget for gas along the way. Since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility in your departure time.
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 145.9 miles from Marmaduke, AR, or about 2h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 118.6 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 64 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 145.9 miles or 2h 45m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fort Smith, AR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Marmaduke, 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 Marmaduke, AR
This is one driving day of about 291.9 miles and 5h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from Marmaduke, 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 I 40 for about 118.6 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 283.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|AR 34 / State Highway 34
Turn right onto AR 34 / State Highway 34
Navigation decision point
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|US 49; AR 1 / East Franklin Street
Enter roundabout onto US 49; AR 1 / East Franklin Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
131.2 mi into trip|~2h 26m in|US 64
Take the exit onto US 64 toward US 64 West, I 57 Business North: Beebe, Conway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 64 West, I 57 Business North: Beebe,...
5
131.5 mi into trip|~2h 27m in|US 64
Keep slight right at fork onto US 64 toward US 64 West: Conway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 64 West: Conway
5
283.2 mi into trip|~5h 8m in|US 71
Take the exit onto US 71 toward I 540 South, US 71 South: Fort Smith
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 540 South, US 71 South: Fort Smith
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.52 one way
$81.04 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg102 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$45.34
$90.67
premium
$4.29
$49.29
$98.58
diesel
$4.80
$55.12
$110.23
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 102.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
87.6
1
$30.65
$14.01
Efficient EV
73
0
$25.54
$11.68
EV Truck/SUV
116.8
1
$40.87
$18.68
Gas CO2
102 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 17, 2026
Origin
Marmaduke, AR
Evening
in Marmaduke on Saturday
Local time
8:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Clear
WSW 5 mph15% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Fort Smith, AR
Evening
in Fort Smith on Saturday
Local time
8:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
S 0 to 5 mph23% 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.
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
1 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
5h 20m 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?
With 89% of this trip on highways, you'll spend most of your time on I 40 and US 412. Expect a continuous stretch of 118.6 miles on I 40, which means long stretches of consistent cruising. Once you transition off the main highways, you'll encounter more local traffic and potentially more intersections as you approach your destination. The bulk of the driving is on well-maintained interstate and US routes.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 118.6 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and US 412. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near AR 34 / State Highway 34.
Driving Effort6/10
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 291.9 miles you will encounter 11 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: near the start (AR 34 / State Highway 34): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (US 49; AR 1 / East Franklin Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 131.2 miles (US 64): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
603 ft218 ft
Total Climb
547 ft
Total Descent
384 ft
Highest Point
603 ft
~250.1 mi in
Elevation Range
385 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 Marmaduke, AR to Fort Smith, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Conway along the way.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 20m. Total distance: 291.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 118.6 miles on I 40. 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 Fort Smith, 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: near the start (AR 34 / State Highway 34): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (US 49; AR 1 / East Franklin Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 131.2 miles (US 64): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Fort Smith, AR before the return drive.
