Interstate 40 in Arkansas facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Interstate 40
I-40 highlighted in red
Route information
Maintained by AHTD
Length	284.69 mi (458.16 km)
Major junctions
West end	I-40 at Oklahoma state line
	I-540 / US 71 in Van Buren I-49 / US 71 in Alma I-430 in North Little Rock I-30 / US 65 / US 67 / US 167 in North Little Rock Future I-57 / US 67 / US 167 in North Little Rock I-440 / AR 440 in North Little Rock I-55 / US 61 / US 63 / US 64 in West Memphis
East end	I-40 at Tennessee state line
Location
Counties:	Crawford, Franklin, Johnson, Pope, Conway, Faulkner, Pulaski, Lonoke, Prairie, Monroe, St. Francis, Crittenden
Highway system
Main route of the Interstate Highway System Main • Auxiliary • Business Arkansas Highway System Interstates • US • State Business • Spurs • Scenic ← AR 39 AR 41 →

Interstate 40 (I-40) is a major highway that crosses the United States from east to west. A big part of I-40, about 285 miles (458 km) long, runs through the state of Arkansas. This section connects Oklahoma to Tennessee.

I-40 enters Arkansas from the west near Dora. It travels eastward across the northern part of the state. It connects important cities like Fort Smith, Clarksville, Russellville, Conway, North Little Rock, and West Memphis. I-40 then continues into Tennessee, passing through Memphis.

This highway has key connections with other Interstates. These include Interstate 540 near Van Buren, which leads to Fort Smith. It also connects with Interstate 49 near Alma, which goes north to Fayetteville. In North Little Rock, I-40 meets Interstate 30, which heads south towards Texarkana and Dallas, Texas. Finally, in West Memphis, it connects with Interstate 55.

For most of its path through Arkansas, I-40 follows older highways. From Oklahoma to Little Rock, it generally follows U.S. Route 64 through the Ozark Mountains. East of Little Rock, it mostly follows U.S. Route 70 until it reaches Tennessee.

Exploring I-40 in Arkansas

From Oklahoma to Little Rock

Interstate 540 and US 71 head south from I-40 at exit 7 in Van Buren. This road leads to Fort Smith.

I-40 enters Arkansas from Oklahoma in Crawford County. It quickly reaches Van Buren. From here, you can get to Fort Smith by crossing the Arkansas River. The main way to Fort Smith is via Interstate 540 and US 71.

For a short distance, I-40 shares its path with US 71. Then, Interstate 49 splits off to the north. I-49 goes to cities like Fayetteville and Bentonville. US 71 also separates from I-40 soon after.

I-40 continues to run alongside US 64 as it enters the Ozark Mountains. In Franklin County, it offers access to the Pig Trail Scenic Byway near Ozark. The highway then goes through Clarksville, where it meets US 64 again. It also crosses part of Lake Dardanelle.

Further east, I-40 meets Highway 7 in Russellville. It then passes through Morrilton before turning south towards Conway in Faulkner County. In Conway, I-40 shares the road with US 65 for a while. It also has another connection with US 64 and US 65 Business. After passing Lake Conway, I-40 enters the Little Rock area.

From Little Rock to Tennessee

Interstate 30 begins at I-40, US 65, and AR 107. It then travels south with US 65, US 67, and US 167.

In West Memphis, Arkansas, Interstate 40 is known as a Blue Star Memorial Highway. This honors U.S. armed forces.

In Pulaski County, I-40 heads southeast towards Maumelle. It continues in this direction until it reaches Interstate 430. I-430 provides a way to travel along the western side of Little Rock.

Closer to the Arkansas River, I-40 has a very busy intersection. This is where Interstate 30 begins. Here, I-40 also starts to share its path with US 67 and US 167. US 65 turns south at this point, no longer sharing the road with I-40.

I-40, now with US 67 and US 167, continues east for about 1.5 miles (2.4 km). Then, US 67 and US 167 turn north as a separate highway. From this point on, I-40 starts to run parallel to US 70, instead of US 64.

The Interstate continues east, meeting I-440 and AR 440. It then enters Lonoke County. Passing through Lonoke, the route goes through rural areas. It shares a path with US 63 in Hazen. It also meets US 49 and AR 17 in Brinkley.

Upon entering St. Francis County, I-40 heads northeast to Forrest City. Here, it connects with Highway 1. Continuing northeast, I-40 enters Crittenden County. It meets US 79 at Shearerville before entering West Memphis.

The highway continues northeast to an interchange with Interstate 55. I-40 and I-55 then share the road for about 3.1 miles (5.0 km). Finally, I-40 continues east onto the Hernando De Soto Bridge over the Mississippi River. The border with Tennessee is in the middle of the river. Memphis, Tennessee begins on the east side of the bridge.