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Trip from Trumann, 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 Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 56m

Distance

273.3 mi

440 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$38

one way

EV Charging

Good

6 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
4h 43m ★
6 AM
4h 57m
8 AM
5h 24m
10 AM
5h 6m
12 PM
5h 3m
3 PM
5h 7m
5 PM
5h 22m
8 PM
4h 48m

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

Best Time
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city in Arkansas

Trumann, AR

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Fort Smith, AR, AR

Fort Smith, AR

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 273.7-mile journey from Trumann, Arkansas, to Fort Smith, Arkansas, is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 4 hours and 13 minutes. You'll navigate primarily using West Main Street, West 69th Highway, and I-555 North, with no significant interstate driving. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $42, making it an economical option. Given its relatively short duration and local road focus, it’s a straightforward drive within the Southeast region of Arkansas, perfect for a day trip without the need for an overnight stay.

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

136.7 miles from Trumann, AR

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 33m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 40 118.6 mi 1h 58m
I 57 74.5 mi 1h 16m
US 64 33 mi 42m
I 555 15.5 mi 16m
US 78 12.5 mi 14m
US 71 6.5 mi 7m
Southwest Drive 6.4 mi 7m
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 Trumann, AR and Fort Smith, AR.

1

Start on Melton Avenue

135 ft · 7 sec · Melton Avenue
2

Turn right onto West Main Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · West Main Street
3

Turn right onto AR 463

0.6 mi · 1 min · AR 463
4

Turn left onto AR 69

1.5 mi · 2 min · West 69th Highway
5

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 39 sec
Toward I 555 North
6

Merge onto I 555

15 mi · 16 min · I 555
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Take the exit onto US 49; US 78

0.2 mi · 23 sec · US 49; US 78
8

Turn right onto US 49; US 63; US 78

455 ft · 9 sec · Alexander Drive
9

Turn right onto US 49; US 63; US 78

6.4 mi · 7 min · Southwest Drive
10

Continue on US 78; AR 226

13 mi · 14 min · US 78; AR 226
11

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 47 sec
12

Merge onto I 57

75 mi · 1 hr 16 min · I 57
13

Take the exit onto US 64

0.4 mi · 49 sec · US 64
Toward US 64 West, I 57 Business North: Beebe, Conway
14

Keep slight right at fork onto US 64

33 mi · 41 min · US 64
Toward US 64 West: Conway
15

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 57 sec
16

Merge onto I 40; US 65

119 mi · 1 hr 58 min · I 40; US 65
17

Take the exit onto US 71

6.5 mi · 7 min · US 71
Toward I 540 South, US 71 South: Fort Smith
18

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 33 sec
Exit 6 Toward Grand Avenue
19

Turn right onto Grand Avenue

1.9 mi · 3 min · Grand Avenue
20

Arrive at destination

Grand Avenue

Trip Plan

Plan to depart Trumann in the morning to make the most of your 4-hour and 13-minute drive to Fort Smith. With a total of 273.7 miles and an estimated fuel cost of $42, this trip is well-suited for a single day, allowing for flexibility in your timing. Since the route is characterized as 'turn-heavy,' keep an eye on your navigation and be prepared for frequent turns and speed adjustments. Consider taking one planned stop along the way to break up the drive and refuel yourself, rather than waiting until you are low on gas.

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 136.7 miles from Trumann, AR, or about 2h 33m 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 60 miles or 1h 8m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 136.7 miles or 2h 33m 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 4m

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 Trumann, 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 Trumann, AR

This is one driving day of about 273.3 miles and 4h 56m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Trumann, 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.

Downtown Gravel Ridge, AR, AR

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Gravel Ridge, AR

137 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

Judsonia, AR

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 60 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Maumelle, AR

Meal break

The midpoint is around 136.7 miles from Trumann, AR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 118.6 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

Hunan Restaurant

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Newport, 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

Hunan Restaurant

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

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

Newport, Arkansas

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18705234600

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

Crosswoods Restaurant & Sports Club

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour Moderately

Clarksville, Arkansas

Hours: 3 pm–12 am

+14797548080

Visit website

Subway

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour Inexpensiv

Jonesboro, Arkansas

Hours: 9 am–10 pm

+18709728880

Visit website

Sonic Drive-In

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour Inexpensiv

Jonesboro, Arkansas

Hours: 6 am–10:30 pm

+18709316433

Visit website

Old South Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

Final third 3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20

Russellville, Arkansas

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+14799683789

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Jonesboro, Arkansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Newport, Arkansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

3.3 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour

Jonesboro, Arkansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

Early stretch 3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour

Newport, Arkansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour

Jonesboro, Arkansas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 3 mi from route ~7 min detour

Jonesboro, Arkansas

+18668167584

Visit website

Overlook Rest Area - Westbound

0 mi from route

Ozark Rest Area – Eastbound

0.1 mi from route

Big Piney Rest Area - Westbound

0.1 mi from route

Ozark Rest Area - Westbound

0.1 mi from route

Big Piney Rest Area – Eastbound

0.1 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.1 mi from route

Flying J Travel Center

0.1 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

0.1 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.1 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.2 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.2 mi from route

TA

0.2 mi from route

TA

0.2 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.2 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.3 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.3 mi from route

Newport Truck Plaza

0.3 mi from route

Craighead Forest Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Jonesboro, Arkansas

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+18709334604

Visit website

AGFC Forrest L. Wood Crowley's Ridge Nature Center

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour

Jonesboro, Arkansas

Hours: 8:30 am–4:30 pm

+18709336787

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 3.1 and 264.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
3.1 mi into trip | ~6m in | I 555

Merge onto I 555

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
37.7 mi into trip | ~44m in

Take the exit

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

5
112.6 mi into trip | ~2h 2m 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
113 mi into trip | ~2h 3m 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
264.6 mi into trip | ~4h 44m 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

$37.94 one way

$75.88 round trip

$3.53/gal 25.4 MPG avg 96 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $3.95 $42.45 $84.90
premium $4.29 $46.15 $92.30
diesel $4.80 $51.60 $103.21

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$38

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$63–$88

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 95.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 82 1 $28.70 $13.12
Efficient EV 68.3 0 $23.91 $10.93
EV Truck/SUV 109.3 1 $38.26 $17.49

Gas CO2

96 kg

EV CO2

32 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 18, 2026

Origin

Trumann, AR

Late night in Trumann on Sunday

Local time

3:20 AM

CDT

Current temp

74°F

Mostly Clear

SW 0 to 5 mph 4% chance Live forecast

Heat Advisory

Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 10:48PM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN

Destination

Fort Smith, AR

Late night in Fort Smith on Sunday

Local time

3:20 AM

CDT

Current temp

75°F

Partly Cloudy

SE 0 to 5 mph 7% chance Live forecast

Heat Advisory

Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 10:48PM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN

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

4h 56m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for this 273.7-mile route. With a highway share of 0%, this trip emphasizes local roads, meaning you'll encounter more intersections and changes in speed limits than on a typical interstate journey. The drive progresses through a series of local routes rather than long, uninterrupted highway stretches. While the longest uninterrupted stretch isn't specified, the 'turn-heavy' profile suggests frequent adjustments and a more engaging driving experience as you move from Trumann towards Fort Smith.

96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 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 I 57. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 3.1 miles in near I 555.

Driving Effort 6/10

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 273.3 miles you will encounter 16 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 3.1 miles (I 555): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 37.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 112.6 miles (US 64): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

613 ft 223 ft

Total Climb

621 ft

Total Descent

409 ft

Highest Point

613 ft

~234.3 mi in

Elevation Range

390 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 Trumann, AR to Fort Smith, AR, road signs begin pointing toward Conway along the way.

Conway

112.6 mi in | ~2h 2m | via US 64

About the Cities

Starting in Trumann, AR

Full guide →

Arriving in Fort Smith, AR

Full guide →

Founded 1817

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

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 4h 56m. Total distance: 273.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (96%). 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.

Yes — we found about 17 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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 17 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

The main spots that need attention: at 3.1 miles (I 555): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 37.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 112.6 miles (US 64): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.9 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, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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