Newport, KY to Fort Smith, AR is 747.9 miles and takes about 13h 46m via US 412, I 40, and I 69, with a fuel budget near $132 and enough daylight to finish in a day, but it's best split over two days. This long-haul drive moves you from the Southeast region of Kentucky into Arkansas, largely following major interstates. You'll experience a significant amount of highway driving, making it a straightforward trip for those focused on covering distance efficiently. Consider this route if you need a direct path with minimal complexity.
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
373.9 miles from Newport, KY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 6h 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 412
166 mi
3h 3m
I 40
118.6 mi
1h 58m
I 69
105.5 mi
1h 53m
Western Kentucky Parkway
98.9 mi
1h 46m
I 71
90.9 mi
1h 40m
I 65
38.7 mi
42m
US 64
33 mi
42m
I 155
29.5 mi
31m
Longest stretch:
US 412
— 166 mi, about 3h 3m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 14 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~5,057 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~701 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Newport, KY and Fort Smith, AR.
1
Start on West 5th Street
0.1 mi·24 sec·West 5th Street
Use the straight lane.
2
Turn left onto US 27; KY 8
0.1 mi·30 sec·Monmouth Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
3
At end of road, turn left onto US 27; KY 8
439 ft·20 sec·East 3rd Street
Use the left lane.
4
Enter roundabout onto US 27
137 ft·2 sec·US 27
Toward US 27 North
5
Continue on US 27
0.5 mi·1 min·US 27
Toward US 27 North
6
Continue on Broadway Street
0.1 mi·19 sec·Broadway Street
Use the straight lane.
7
Turn left onto East 3rd Street
0.5 mi·1 min·East 3rd Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward I 71 South, I 75 South: Louisville, LexingtonUse the straight lane.
9
Merge onto I 71
19 mi·23 min·I 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit onto I 71
72 mi·1 hr 17 min·I 71
Exit 173Toward I 71 South: LouisvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·44 sec
Exit 5Toward I 264 West: Watterson ExpresswayUse the slight left lane.
12
Continue on I 264
10.0 mi·13 min·Henry Watterson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·14 sec
Exit 12Toward I 65, KY 61: Nashville, IndianapolisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·15 sec
Toward I 65: Nashville, Downtown Louisville, IndianapolisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Toward I 65 South: Nashville
16
Merge onto I 65
39 mi·42 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 91C-AToward KY 61 South: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky ParkwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 91C-BToward US 31W: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway West
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward Paducah, Elizabethtown
20
Merge onto Western Kentucky Parkway
98 mi·1 hr 45 min·Western Kentucky Parkway
21
Continue on Western Kentucky Parkway
0.8 mi·54 sec·Western Kentucky Parkway
Exit 38A
22
Merge onto I 69
37 mi·40 min·I 69
23
Keep slight right at fork onto I 69
16 mi·17 min·I 69
Exit 68BToward I 24 West, I 69 South: Paducah
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 69
52 mi·55 min·I 69
Exit 25A
25
Take the exit onto US 51
0.2 mi·24 sec·US 51
Toward Union City, Memphis
26
Keep slight left at fork
189 ft·5 sec
Toward Martin
27
Turn right onto US 45W
478 ft·6 sec·US 45W
28
Continue on US 45W; US 51
4.8 mi·5 min·US 45W; US 51
Exit Future I 69
29
Continue on TN 690
11 mi·12 min·TN 690
30
Turn right
142 ft·4 sec
31
Merge onto US 51
28 mi·32 min·West Reelfoot Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Continue on I 155
29 mi·31 min·I 155
Toward Saint Louis
33
Continue on US 412; MO 84
14 mi·16 min·US 412; MO 84
34
Turn left onto US 412
1.4 mi·1 min·US 412
35
Enter roundabout onto US 412
256 ft·3 sec·US 412
36
Continue on US 412
56 mi·1 hr 6 min·US 412
37
Take the exit onto US 412
95 mi·1 hr 38 min·US 412
38
Take the exit onto US 64
0.4 mi·49 sec·US 64
Toward US 64 West, I 57 Business North: Beebe, Conway
39
Keep slight right at fork onto US 64
33 mi·41 min·US 64
Toward US 64 West: Conway
40
Take the exit
0.4 mi·57 sec
41
Merge onto I 40; US 65
119 mi·1 hr 58 min·I 40; US 65
42
Take the exit onto US 71
6.5 mi·7 min·US 71
Toward I 540 South, US 71 South: Fort Smith
43
Take the exit
0.2 mi·33 sec
Exit 6Toward Grand Avenue
44
Turn right onto Grand Avenue
1.9 mi·3 min·Grand Avenue
45
Arrive at destination
Grand Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 13h 46m duration, planning for two days is highly recommended to avoid excessive fatigue. Aim to depart early in the morning on day one to maximize your driving time. With 3 planned stops, consider spacing them out roughly every 4-5 hours of driving. Watch for the transition from US 412 to I 40 as a key point to re-evaluate your progress and rest needs. Ensure your fuel tank is full before heading into the 166-mile stretch on US 412, as services might be less frequent there.
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 373.9 miles from Newport, KY, or about 6h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 166 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 165 miles or 3h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 373.9 miles or 6h 56m 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 373.9 miles or 6h 56m
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 42m
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 Newport, KY 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 Newport, KY
Aim for roughly 374 miles and 6.9 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Fort Smith, AR
Aim for roughly 374 miles and 6.9 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 165 miles from Newport, KY.
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 412 for about 166 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 0.1 and 143.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|US 27; KY 8 / Monmouth Street
Turn left onto US 27; KY 8 / Monmouth Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
8
103.1 mi into trip|~2h in
Take the exit toward I 65, KY 61: Nashville, Indianapolis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 12
Toward I 65, KY 61: Nashville, Indianapolis
9
103.2 mi into trip|~2h in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 65: Nashville, Downtown Louisville, Indianapolis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 65: Nashville, Downtown Louisville, In...
8
143.1 mi into trip|~2h 45m in
Take the exit toward KY 61 South: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 91C-A
Toward KY 61 South: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Wes...
8
143.3 mi into trip|~2h 45m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 31W: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 91C-B
Toward US 31W: Elizabethtown, Paducah, Western...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$124.35 one way
$248.69 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg262 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$135.45
$270.89
premium
$5.18
$152.61
$305.23
diesel
$5.35
$157.53
$315.06
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$124
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$254–$364
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 261.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $79 in charging
· 2 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
224.4
2
$78.53
$35.90
Efficient EV
187
2
$65.44
$29.92
EV Truck/SUV
299.2
3
$104.71
$47.87
Gas CO2
262 kg
EV CO2
88 kg (66% 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Newport, KY
Afternoon
in Newport on Wednesday
Local time
3:05 PM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Chance Rain Showers
NE 6 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued June 1 at 12:00PM CDT until June 2 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Destination
Fort Smith, AR
Afternoon
in Fort Smith on Wednesday
Local time
2:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Sunny
W 5 mph10% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued June 1 at 2:16PM CDT until June 1 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Tulsa OK
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued June 1 at 2:14PM CDT until June 1 at 9:00PM 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.
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 earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
17 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
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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park
National Historical Park
For over a century people from around the world have come to rural Central Kentucky to honor the humble beginnings of our 16th president, Abraham Lincoln. His early life on Kentucky's frontier shaped...
18 mi from route
~45 min detour
Free
near mile 128.9
Rolling hills, deep river valleys, and the world's longest known cave system. Mammoth Cave National Park is home to thousands of years of human history and a rich diversity of plant and animal life, e...
21 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 180.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is primarily highway cruising, with 95% of the 747.9 miles on major roads. You'll encounter dense exits and service areas for much of the drive. The longest stretch without a significant change in major roads is 166 miles on US 412, offering a consistent pace before you transition to other highways. Expect to spend most of your time on interstates.
95% 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: 166 mi on US 412.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 412 and I 40. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 27; KY 8 / Monmouth Street.
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 747.9 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 0.1 miles (US 27; KY 8 / Monmouth Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 103.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 103.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
837 ft229 ft
Total Climb
767 ft
Total Descent
841 ft
Highest Point
837 ft
~160.3 mi in
Elevation Range
608 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Newport, KY and Fort Smith, AR, road signs point toward Indianapolis, Louisville, Paducah, Western Kentucky Parkway West, Elizabethtown and Union City - among others.
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
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
The longest stretch is about 166 miles on US 412. 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 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 3 meaningful breaks. There are 46 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 27; KY 8 / Monmouth Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 103.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 103.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park and Mammoth Cave National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 13.8 hours each way, a round trip means 27.5 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.
