Join us as we cruise eastward on a 14-mile stretch of central Arkansas freeway, beginning just south of downtown Little Rock and ending in Jacksonville. This drive shows Interstate 440, Little Rock’s loop along the eastern and northern outskirts of the capital metro. Starting at the spaghetti junction where I-440 meets Interstates 30 and 530, we work our way around the city’s southeast side before following the arc northbound into Jacksonville. This segment of the beltway functions as both a commuter corridor and a strategic bypass for freight and through traffic, offering smooth transitions around the city core while still skirting some key sights along the way.
We begin our journey merging onto I-440 eastbound near the confluence of I-30, I-530, and Springer Boulevard—just south of downtown Little Rock. This interchange, though compact in mileage, is one of the metro’s busiest nodal points and sets the tone for the early leg of the trip. Almost immediately, we pass the exit for Springer Blvd (AR-365), which leads into local industrial areas and neighborhoods on the city’s south side. Shortly afterward, the Bankhead Drive interchange brings us alongside Clinton National Airport (LIT), which you’ll spot to the south as planes land and take off. If you’re planning to fly out of town or meet someone flying in, this is your key access point.
Continuing east, I-440 skirts just south of the Arkansas River before turning northeastward. We cross the Lindsey Road interchange, which serves the Port of Little Rock and several sprawling logistics parks before reaching the river itself. The bridge over the Arkansas River marks our entrance into North Little Rock. From here, the highway carries us through a sequence of junctions with US-165 (Old England Highway), US-70 (Broadway Street), and Faulkner Lake Road—all arteries that connect nearby residential zones with the industrial riverfront. Though this stretch feels like a pure bypass, it’s a vital part of the regional road grid, balancing commuter and commercial traffic.
As we reach the interchange with Interstate 40, we continue north. We soon hit the interchange with AR-161, a key connector to Sherwood and the McAlmont area. This stretch of freeway hugs the eastern city limits of North Little Rock and quickly begins to show more trees and suburban development as we make our way north.
Our final leg ends at the northern terminus of I-440 at the interchange with Interstate 57 and US-67 in Jacksonville. This junction is another major transportation hub, tying the north belt into the fast-growing northeast suburbs and providing onward access to Cabot, Searcy, and eventually Missouri via the I-57 corridor. Jacksonville itself is a mix of Air Force heritage, residential growth, and retail development—and marks a logical stopping point for this segment of Arkansas’s beltway system. Whether you’re heading north toward the Ozarks or looping back toward Little Rock, this route delivers a fast, clean bypass with enough urban touches to stay interesting.
🗺️ Route Map
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