Beau, I have family in Ft. Smith; the drive to Fayetteville through Ft. Smith is scenic, but not quick. Here to Shreveport is fine and from Texarkana on is as well. Shreveport to Texarkana is not so good. It HAS been a while since I made the trip, though. It may be better now.
That being said, I would go that way rather than through Little Rock.