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Trip from Texarkana, AR to Fort Smith, AR

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 48m

Distance

180 mi

290 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$27

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
3h 35m ★
6 AM
3h 48m
8 AM
4h 13m
10 AM
3h 57m
12 PM
3h 54m
3 PM
3h 58m
5 PM
4h 12m
8 PM
3h 40m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Miller County, Arkansas, United States

Texarkana, AR

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Embarking on a 180-mile journey from Texarkana, AR, to Fort Smith, AR, will take you approximately 3 hours and 48 minutes of driving time. This route, primarily utilizing US 71, North Lakeside Drive, and Main Street, is well-suited for a single day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. With an estimated fuel cost of $27, it's an economical choice for exploring within Arkansas. The drive offers a mixed experience, providing a good balance for a comfortable travel day. You'll be traversing within the Southeast region of Arkansas for the entirety of this trip.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

90 miles from Texarkana, AR

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 56m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 71 71.5 mi 1h 25m
North Lakeside Drive 51.2 mi 59m
Main Street 24.3 mi 32m
North State Line Avenue 20.2 mi 27m
US 59 8 mi 11m
Old Greenwood Road 2.3 mi 4m
North Greenwood Avenue 0.7 mi 1m
South 31st Street 0.5 mi <1m
Longest stretch: US 71 — 71.5 mi, about 1h 25m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Texarkana, AR and Fort Smith, AR.

1

Start on East 20th Street

180 ft · 9 sec · East 20th Street
2

Turn right onto County Avenue

0.3 mi · 42 sec · County Avenue
3

Turn left onto East 24th Street

0.3 mi · 33 sec · East 24th Street
4

At end of road, turn right onto US 71

20 mi · 27 min · North State Line Avenue
5

Continue on US 59; US 71

24 mi · 32 min · Main Street
6

Continue on US 59; US 70; US 71; US 371

8.0 mi · 11 min · US 59; US 70; US 71; US 371
7

Turn right onto US 59; US 71

51 mi · 59 min · North Lakeside Drive
8

Continue on US 71; US 270

70 mi · 1 hr 23 min · US 71; US 270
9

Take the exit onto US 71

1.6 mi · 2 min · US 71
Toward 540 North
10

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 37 sec
Toward Greenwood Road
11

Turn left onto AR 45

2.1 mi · 3 min · Old Greenwood Road
12

Continue on South 31st Street

0.5 mi · 54 sec · South 31st Street
13

Continue on Old Greenwood Road

0.2 mi · 27 sec · Old Greenwood Road
14

Turn left onto AR 22

0.3 mi · 45 sec · Rogers Avenue
15

Turn right onto North Greenwood Avenue

0.7 mi · 1 min · North Greenwood Avenue
16

Turn right onto Grand Avenue

0.3 mi · 27 sec · Grand Avenue
17

Arrive at destination

Grand Avenue

Trip Plan

Given the manageable 3-hour and 48-minute duration, this trip is ideal for a single-day adventure, offering flexibility in your departure time. Aim to leave in the morning to maximize your daylight hours, especially if you plan any brief stops. You'll want to keep an eye on your fuel levels, particularly during the longest stretch on US 71, as services might be more spread out. Planning for one stop along the way should be sufficient for a break or to refuel if needed. Be aware that the transition from highway to local roads can sometimes involve changes in speed limits and traffic patterns as you enter Fort Smith.

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 90 miles from Texarkana, AR, or about 1h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 71.5 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 40 miles or 55m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 90 miles or 1h 56m 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 5m

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 Texarkana, 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 Texarkana, AR

This is one driving day of about 180 miles and 3h 48m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 miles from Texarkana, 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 71.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Polk County, Arkansas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Mena, AR

90 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

De Queen, AR

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 40 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Mena, AR

Meal break

The midpoint is around 90 miles from Texarkana, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 71 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 71.5 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · home stretch

George's Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Fort Smith, Arkansas

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 0min to go 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+14797851199

Visit website

Phở Việtnam

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Fort Smith, Arkansas

0.8 mi

Golden Lady Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Texarkana, Arkansas

1.1 mi

George's Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Fort Smith, Arkansas

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+14797851199

Visit website

Phở Việtnam

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Fort Smith, Arkansas

Hours: 10:30 am–8 pm

+14797823227

Visit website

Golden Lady Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Texarkana, Arkansas

Hours: 11 am–6 pm

+18707724765

Visit website

Verona Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour Moderately

Texarkana, Arkansas

Hours: 5–9 pm

+18707734444

Visit website

Neumeier's Whippoorwill Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Fort Smith, Arkansas

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+14797692095

Visit website

Stilwell's Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

De Queen, Arkansas

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+18706422872

Visit website

Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux - Texarkana Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour Moderately

Texarkana, Texas

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+19037166203

Visit website

Loca Luna | Mexican Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20

Texarkana, Texas

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+19033060531

Visit website

Elm Park Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Littlefield Express

0.3 mi from route

Texas Travel Information Center at Texarkana

0.7 mi from route

Phase II - Bar & Grill Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Texarkana, Texas

Hours: 5:30–11 pm

+19037923222

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 10

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 174.1 — 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 | County Avenue

Turn right onto County Avenue

Navigation decision point

5
0.3 mi into trip | ~0m in | East 24th Street

Turn left onto East 24th Street

Navigation decision point

5
0.6 mi into trip | ~1m in | US 71 / North State Line Avenue

At end of road, turn right onto US 71 / North State Line Avenue

Navigation decision point

4
53 mi into trip | ~1h 13m in | US 59; US 71 / North Lakeside Drive

Turn right onto US 59; US 71 / North Lakeside Drive

Navigation decision point

4
174.1 mi into trip | ~3h 36m in | US 71

Take the exit onto US 71 toward 540 North

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward 540 North

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$27.18 one way

$54.37 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 63 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $29.84 $59.68
premium $4.56 $32.31 $64.62
diesel $5.61 $39.74 $79.48

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$27

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$52–$77

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 63 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 54 0 $18.90 $8.64
Efficient EV 45 0 $15.75 $7.20
EV Truck/SUV 72 0 $25.20 $11.52

Gas CO2

63 kg

EV CO2

21 kg (67% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

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 Apr 20, 2026

Origin

Texarkana, AR

Morning in Texarkana on Tuesday

Local time

8:33 AM

CDT

Current temp

79°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Fort Smith, AR

Morning in Fort Smith on Tuesday

Local time

8:33 AM

CDT

Current temp

77°F

Unavailable

Live 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

2 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

3h 48m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

This drive presents a mixed character, with 44% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 71.5 miles on US 71, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of the trip. Expect a blend of faster highway driving and potentially more local road navigation as you approach your destination. The road's personality shifts subtly throughout the drive, moving from more open stretches to potentially more built-up areas as you get closer to Fort Smith.

44% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 71.5 mi on US 71.

How Hard Is This Drive?

2/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near County Avenue.

Driving Effort 2/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The drive from Texarkana, AR to Fort Smith, AR is easy. At 3h 48m with 44% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (County Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (East 24th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles (US 71 / North State Line Avenue): Navigation decision point.

About the Cities

Starting in Texarkana, AR

Full guide →

Texarkana is a city of 150,000 people (2016) in the Piney Woods region of Texas and the Timberlands region of Arkansas.

Top landmarks

  • • Texarkana Union Station — railway station in Texarkana, the United States of America
  • • Four States Auto Museum — automobile museum in Texarkana, Arkansas
  • • United States Post Office and Courthouse — building in Texarkana, Bowie County, Texas

Arriving in Fort Smith, AR

Full guide →

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.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 48m. Total distance: 180 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (44%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 71.5 miles on US 71. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 3 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.

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: near the start (County Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (East 24th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles (US 71 / North State Line Avenue): Navigation decision point.

Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Fort Smith, AR, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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