Springdale to Smackover is 315.5 miles and takes about 5 hours 45 minutes via I 40 and US 167, with a fuel budget near $47 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Arkansas, moving from the Ozarks region southeast towards the Gulf Coastal Plain. It's a pretty straightforward drive, mostly on major highways, making it a good option if you need to get from point A to point B efficiently. Plan for a solid day of driving, but it's definitely manageable without an overnight stop.
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
157.7 miles from Springdale, AR
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 45m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
140.4 mi
2h 21m
US 167
56 mi
1h 5m
Fulbright Expressway
48.3 mi
49m
US 79
31.8 mi
37m
Dr Martin Luther King Expressway
15.5 mi
17m
I 530
10 mi
10m
US 65
4.6 mi
6m
North Thompson Street
3.3 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 140.4 mi, about 2h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Springdale, AR and Smackover, AR.
1
Start on North Commercial Street
119 ft·7 sec·North Commercial Street
2
Turn right onto East Johnson Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·East Johnson Avenue
3
Turn left onto US 71B
3.3 mi·6 min·North Thompson Street
4
Continue on US 71B
1.5 mi·2 min·North College Avenue
5
Keep slight right at fork onto US 71B
48 mi·49 min·Fulbright Expressway
Use the straight lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·49 sec
Toward I 40 East: Alma, Little Rock
7
Merge onto I 40; US 71
140 mi·2 hr 21 min·I 40; US 71
8
Take the exit onto US 65
4.6 mi·6 min·US 65
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 530; US 65; US 167
10.0 mi·10 min·I 530; US 65; US 167
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit onto US 167
56 mi·1 hr 5 min·US 167
Toward US 167 South: Sheridan, Fordyce, El DoradoUse the straight / right lanes.
11
Turn right onto US 79; US 167
4.1 mi·6 min·US 79; US 167
12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 79
28 mi·31 min·US 79
Toward US 79: Camden
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
14
Turn left onto AR 7
0.3 mi·23 sec·South Adams Avenue
15
Continue on AR 7
16 mi·17 min·Dr Martin Luther King Expressway
16
Turn left onto AR 7B
2.4 mi·4 min·West 7th Street
17
Arrive at destination
AR 7B
Trip Plan
With a 5 hour 45 minute estimated drive time, leaving Springdale in the morning, perhaps around 9:00 AM, should get you to Smackover before dinner. You'll have about 140 miles on I 40 before you need to think about a significant road change, so plan your first break around then. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility, but keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you transition to US 167, as services might be more spread out than on the interstate.
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 157.7 miles from Springdale, AR, or about 2h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 140.4 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 69 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 157.7 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 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Smackover, AR than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Springdale, 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 Springdale, AR
This is one driving day of about 315.5 miles and 5h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 miles from Springdale, 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 140.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Final third
4.7 mi from route
~12 min detour
$10 to $20
Sheridan, Arkansas
Hours: 10:30 AM–9 PM
+18709424163
Fordyce travel centre
4.1
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the end, ~10 min detour
Home stretch
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Fordyce, Arkansas
Hours: 3 AM–10 PM
+18703524000
The Sandbar
4.1
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the end, ~9 min detour
Home stretch
3.5 mi from route
~9 min detour
$20 to $30
Camden, Arkansas
Hours: 4–10 PM
+18708363003
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.4 and 269.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
5.4 mi into trip|~10m in|US 71B / Fulbright Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 71B / Fulbright Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
53.7 mi into trip|~1h in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 40 East: Alma, Little Rock
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 40 East: Alma, Little Rock
6
199.3 mi into trip|~3h 28m 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.
7
209.3 mi into trip|~3h 38m in|US 167
Take the exit onto US 167 toward US 167 South: Sheridan, Fordyce, El Dorado
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward US 167 South: Sheridan, Fordyce, El Dora...
5
269.3 mi into trip|~4h 51m in|US 79
Keep slight right at fork onto US 79 toward US 79: Camden
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 79: Camden
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.49 one way
$96.99 round trip
$3.90/gal25.4 MPG avg110 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.32
$53.64
$107.27
premium
$4.65
$57.72
$115.44
diesel
$5.35
$66.45
$132.91
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 110.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
94.7
1
$33.13
$15.14
Efficient EV
78.9
0
$27.61
$12.62
EV Truck/SUV
126.2
1
$44.17
$20.19
Gas CO2
110 kg
EV CO2
37 kg (66% 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Springdale, AR
Afternoon
in Springdale on Wednesday
Local time
2:11 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Partly Cloudy
SW 5 mph12% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 7:45PM CDT until June 6 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Little Rock AR
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 7:44PM CDT until June 2 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Little Rock AR
Destination
Smackover, AR
Afternoon
in Smackover on Wednesday
Local time
2:11 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Clear
0 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 7:45PM CDT until June 6 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Little Rock AR
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 7:44PM CDT until June 2 at 7:00PM 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
3 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 45m 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?
You'll be on highways for 97% of this 315.5-mile trip. The longest continuous stretch on a main road is 140.4 miles on I 40. Expect to transition from the interstate to US 167, which will feel more like rural cruising as you get closer to Smackover. The density of exits will likely decrease significantly after you leave I 40.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 140.4 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and US 167. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.4 miles in near US 71B / Fulbright Expressway.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 315.5 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 5.4 miles (US 71B / Fulbright Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 53.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 199.3 miles (I 530; US 65; US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,666 ft122 ft
Total Climb
529 ft
Total Descent
1,731 ft
Highest Point
1,666 ft
~22.5 mi in
Elevation Range
1,544 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Springdale, AR and Smackover, AR, road signs point toward Little Rock, Fordyce and El Dorado.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 45m. Total distance: 315.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 140.4 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza 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 Smackover, 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. There are 1 rest area along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.4 miles (US 71B / Fulbright Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 53.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 199.3 miles (I 530; US 65; US 167): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Smackover, AR before the return drive.
