Ames to Fort Smith: Road Trip Guide & Distance

461.3 miles 742.4 km · straight line
553.6 miles estimated 890.9 km · driving distance
11h 8min estimated drive time
$53 - $66 estimated fuel cost
~1h 26min flight time
185° S bearing direction

How far is Ames from Fort Smith?

The distance from Ames to Fort Smith is 461.3 miles (742.4 km) as the crow flies. Fort Smith is located S of Ames. By car, the driving distance is approximately 553.6 miles, taking about 11h 8min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 26min. Both are located in United States — Ames in Iowa and Fort Smith in Arkansas.

This is a solid day of driving. Be sure to take breaks every 2-3 hours to avoid driver fatigue, and plan your meals ahead of time. As you head South, expect warmer temperatures. Make sure your car's AC is working well before embarking on this journey.

Coordinates come from public place data for Ames and Fort Smith. The driving distance is estimated from straight-line distance with a road-factor model, so confirm the route in your navigation app. Fuel, flight, bus, and train values are planning estimates and can change by date, provider, road closures, and border rules.

How to Get from Ames to Fort Smith

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 11h 8min $53 - $66 Flexible stops
Fly ~1h 26min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~13h 22min $44–$83* Budget
Train ~10h 35min $66–$194* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Ames & Fort Smith

Quick Facts

Ames
42.03°N, 93.62°W
America/Chicago
287m elevation
Fort Smith
35.39°N, 94.40°W
America/Chicago
134m elevation
Explore more routes from Fort Smith

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 154 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 38 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 54 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · Driving distance estimated using road factor coefficients