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Arkansas · AR

Trucking Jobs in Fort Smith, AR

CDL driver opportunities, local salary data, top industries, and major employers in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

Avg CDL Salary

$44,000 - $60,000

Population

280,000

Truck Stops

12

Cost of Living

Low

Top Industries in Fort Smith

These industries drive freight demand and create the most CDL trucking jobs in the Fort Smith metropolitan area.

1
LTL Freight (ABF)
2
Food Processing
3
Manufacturing
4
Healthcare
5
Government (Fort Chaffee)

Major Trucking Employers in Fort Smith

These companies and facilities employ CDL truck drivers and logistics professionals in the Fort Smith, AR area.

ABF Freight System (HQ)
ArcBest Corporation (HQ)
Gerber Products
Rheem Manufacturing
Mercy Health

Nearby Interstates & Freight Corridors

These major highways serve Fort Smith and carry the highest volumes of commercial truck traffic through the area.

I-40
I-49
US-71
AR-22

Trucking in Fort Smith, AR

Fort Smith's claim to trucking industry significance rests squarely on ABF Freight System, one of the most respected LTL carriers in America. ArcBest Corporation, ABF's parent company, is headquartered in Fort Smith and has shaped the city's identity around trucking for decades. The company's operations center, main terminal, and corporate offices employ thousands, creating a concentration of trucking expertise that influences the entire Arkansas River Valley. Fort Smith's proximity to Walmart's Northwest Arkansas empire means the I-49 corridor is one of the most heavily traveled freight routes in the region, with suppliers, distributors, and carriers shuttling goods between Fort Smith, Fayetteville, and Bentonville. Rheem Manufacturing's HVAC production facility ships heating and cooling equipment to building supply distributors nationwide. Gerber Products' baby food manufacturing adds food processing freight. The region's poultry industry, centered on Tyson Foods operations throughout western Arkansas, generates reefer loads that flow through Fort Smith en route to national markets. The cost of living here is among the lowest in the nation, making Fort Smith one of the most affordable places in America to build a trucking career.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Trucking in Fort Smith

How does ABF Freight affect Fort Smith's trucking market?

ABF Freight System (part of ArcBest Corporation) is headquartered in Fort Smith and is one of the top 10 LTL carriers in America. The company employs thousands locally in driving, terminal, and corporate positions.

What is Fort Smith's connection to the Walmart supply chain?

Fort Smith is about 60 miles south of Walmart's Bentonville headquarters. Many Walmart suppliers and logistics partners operate in the I-49 corridor between Fort Smith and Bentonville, creating dense freight traffic on this route.

What manufacturing exists in Fort Smith?

Rheem Manufacturing produces HVAC equipment, Gerber Products makes baby food, and Trane Technologies has operations here. These manufacturers generate steady outbound freight for flatbed and dry van carriers.