Fort Smith to Joplin: Road Trip Guide & Distance

How far is Fort Smith from Joplin?

The distance from Fort Smith to Joplin is 117.5 miles (189.1 km) as the crow flies. Joplin is located N of Fort Smith. By car, the driving distance is approximately 146.9 miles, taking about 2h 57min. A direct flight would take roughly 44min. Both are located in United States — Fort Smith in Arkansas and Joplin in Missouri.

For a drive of this length, it's recommended to plan at least one quick rest stop to stretch your legs and grab a coffee. Given the short distance, driving or taking a train is often faster and more convenient than dealing with airport security and flight boarding times.

Coordinates come from public place data for Fort Smith and Joplin. 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.