Des Moines to Fort Smith: Road Trip Guide & Distance

How far is Des Moines from Fort Smith?

The distance from Des Moines to Fort Smith is 430.5 miles (692.8 km) as the crow flies. Fort Smith is located S of Des Moines. By car, the driving distance is approximately 516.6 miles, taking about 10h 24min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 22min. Both are located in United States — Des Moines 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 Des Moines 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.