Chattanooga to Fort Smith: Road Trip Guide & Distance

513.4 miles 826.3 km · straight line
616.2 miles estimated 991.6 km · driving distance
12h 24min estimated drive time
$59 - $73 estimated fuel cost
~1h 32min flight time
275° W bearing direction

How far is Chattanooga from Fort Smith?

The distance from Chattanooga to Fort Smith is 513.4 miles (826.3 km) as the crow flies. Fort Smith is located W of Chattanooga. By car, the driving distance is approximately 616.2 miles, taking about 12h 24min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 32min. Both are located in United States — Chattanooga in Tennessee and Fort Smith in Arkansas.

This is a serious multi-day road trip! We strongly recommend breaking this journey up with an overnight stay to ensure you arrive safely and refreshed. Since you'll be heading mostly West, pack a good pair of sunglasses if you plan to drive during the late afternoon to avoid the harsh sun glare.

Coordinates come from public place data for Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga to Fort Smith

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 12h 24min $59 - $73 Flexible stops
Fly ~1h 32min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~14h 53min $49–$92* Budget
Train ~16h 7min $74–$216* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Chattanooga & Fort Smith

Quick Facts

Chattanooga
35.05°N, 85.31°W
America/New_York
206m 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 171 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 43 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 48.5 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · Driving distance estimated using road factor coefficients