Arkansas Highway 10 – Eastbound in Little Rock

Come along as we drive 14 miles east on Arkansas Highway 10 through Little Rock, tracing a route that winds from the city’s fast-growing west side all the way to the heart of downtown. Known locally as Cantrell Road and later La Harpe Boulevard, this stretch of AR-10 is more than just a commuter corridor — it’s a snapshot of Little Rock’s growth, terrain, and history.

We start at the signalized intersection of Chenal Parkway and Highway 10, on the far west side of the city. This area has transformed over the last two decades, with a boom in residential neighborhoods and commercial centers. It’s not unusual to see new subdivisions springing up just off the main road, along with grocery stores, office buildings, and restaurants filling out the landscape.

As we head east, we pass Taylor Loop Road, one of several connectors feeding traffic in from the surrounding hilltop neighborhoods. Though much of this segment feels suburban, it’s still heavily wooded in spots, giving glimpses of the natural ridges and valleys that define Little Rock’s western edge. Continuing on, we pass Sam Peck Road and Pleasant Ridge Road, and the development becomes more mature as we near Interstate 430.

At the I-430 interchange, AR-10 dips into a wide valley and crosses over the freeway — a key connector that links drivers to I-40 and I-30. Just beyond this junction, we enter Woodland Heights, a leafy residential area nestled below the ridges. Soon after, we reach the signal at Mississippi Avenue, which marks the start of Midtown Little Rock — a bustling corridor with national retailers, local dining spots, and other attractions. At University Avenue, the road jogs slightly and transitions into the Heights District, one of the city’s oldest and most historic neighborhoods. The architecture here ranges from 1920s bungalows to stately homes, and Cantrell skirts the southern edge of the area as we continue east.

Approaching Kavanaugh Boulevard, we start the true descent of Cantrell Hill — a dramatic drop that offers one of the best views of the Arkansas River and downtown Little Rock. On clear days, you can spot the State Capitol dome and even the newer high-rises further east. This is the entrance into Riverdale, a mixed-use district with riverside trails, offices, media studios, and industrial pockets blended together.

As we bottom out near Rebsamen Park Road, the road follows a southeasterly bend over the Union Pacific Viaduct and shifts identity to La Harpe Boulevard. This segment hugs the northern edge of downtown and brings us into Little Rock’s civic and convention district. We pass beneath the US-70/Broadway Bridge approach, then under the Little Rock Marriott and the Statehouse Convention Center, some of the city’s most prominent downtown landmarks.

Just past these, we arrive at the intersection with Markham Street and President Clinton Avenue, where AR-10 takes a sharp right onto Cumberland Street. This block-long segment leads us directly to the eastern terminus of Arkansas Highway 10, at Interstate 30 and 2nd Street, right on the western edge of the River Market District and only blocks from the Clinton Presidential Center.

This eastbound trip along AR-10 delivers a little of everything: suburban sprawl, wooded ridges, historic neighborhoods, and downtown hustle — all in a compact 14-mile package.

🗺️ Route Map

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