Take a memorable ride through Arkansas’s River Valley as we follow the rolling asphalt of Interstate 40 from Little Rock to Fort Smith. This 153-mile stretch connects the state’s capital with its western gateway, guiding us through river crossings, ancient ridges, and thriving towns that each tell their own story of Arkansas heritage.
Our journey begins in North Little Rock, where the bustle of city life still hums along the six-lane highway. From the towering bridges over the Arkansas River near the Dickey-Stephens Park to the commercial sprawl lining the interstate, we swiftly transition from urban energy into the green expanse that stretches towards Conway. After passing the I-430 loop, our route bends northwest, shadowing Arkansas Highway 365 through Morgan before tracing the rim of Lake Conway. The Mayflower exit hints at small-town charm, while soon after, Conway emerges as a modern hub—home to University of Central Arkansas and thriving industries. Crossing U.S. 65, Highway 25, and U.S. 64, the rhythm of the road shifts as we press onward into more rural surroundings.
Northwest of Conway, I-40 sheds a lane, offering a quieter, more relaxed pace as we breeze through Menifee and Plumerville, framed by farmland and distant hills. The timeless charm of Morrilton beckons, nestled near Petit Jean State Park and the winding Arkansas River. Our path briefly angles westward before realigning northwest, delivering us to Atkins, the gateway to Pope County’s changing topography. As the ridges of the Ozark foothills rise around us, the landscape transitions from open fields to a patchwork of woodlands. Russellville emerges ahead, straddling both sides of the interstate. The bustling exit with U.S. 64, the serene crossing of Lake Dardanelle, and a glimpse of Arkansas Tech University remind us we are traveling through one of Arkansas’s cultural keystones.
Continuing west, we coast through London and Knoxville, quiet communities nestled alongside forested slopes. Clarksville greets us with a series of junctions—AR-103, U.S. 64, and AR-21—marking a historic waypoint in Johnson County, known for the annual Johnson County Peach Festival. Beyond Clarksville, we pass near Wiederkehr Village, a reminder of Arkansas’s immigrant heritage and winemaking tradition. The forested hills tighten as we glide through the fringes of Coal Hill and into Ozark, where Arkansas Highway 23—better known as The Pig Trail Scenic Byway—crosses our path, tempting adventurous souls to veer north into the mountains.
West of Ozark, the road gently shifts southwest through Mulberry and Dyer, where open meadows provide brief intermissions from the woodland scenery. Alma signals our entry into the Boston Mountains’ edge and serves as a key junction with U.S. 71. This marks the start of the famed Boston Mountains Scenic Loop, a must for travelers seeking elevated vistas and twisty diversions. As we cross under the Interstate 49 interchange near Alma, the highway rises subtly toward Van Buren, a city that pairs modern growth with the preserved charm of its historic downtown district. The interchange with I-540 signifies a final urban chapter before Fort Smith, but for us, the journey is ending just shy of the border.
As we approach Dora, Arkansas’s final interchange along I-40, the road offers one last glance of the Arkansas River to the south. Moments later, we cross into Oklahoma, where the familiar landscapes of Arkansas give way to the open plains beyond. From bustling urban cores to tranquil river towns and mountain views, this stretch of I-40 is more than just a highway—it’s a rolling narrative of Arkansas’s heartland.
🎵 Music: Track List
Cities and Towns
00:00 – 06:05 – North Little Rock
14:08 – 17:06 – Mayflower
19:45 – 27:00 – Conway
28:32 – 29:34 – Menifee
32:39 – 33:29 – Plumerville (mislabeled in the video)
36:10 – 38:13 – Morrilton
47:28 – 49:57 – Atkins
51:42 – 54:15 – Pottsville
54:43 – 58:27 – Russellville
1:00:14 – 1:03:59 – London
1:06:44 – 1:10:39 – Knoxville
1:10:39 – 1:11:49 – Lamar
1:14:38 – 1:19:08 – Clarksville
1:29:32 – 1:31:32 – Wiederkehr Village
1:33:06 – 1:35:56 – Ozark
1:44:10 – 1:48:18 – Mulberry
1:50:28 – 1:54:00 – Alma
1:57:39 – 2:01:39 – Van Buren
🗺️ Route Map
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