Highway 440 Officially Added to the National Map
The Arkansas Department of Transportation has redesignated Highway 440 as Interstate 440 after federal approval, bringing the state’s interstate system to 882 miles.
Highway 440, long known as the East Belt Freeway and considered a vital link between North Little Rock and Jacksonville, has now been officially promoted to Interstate 440. The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) confirmed the redesignation on Tuesday, August 19.
The idea for the route dates back to 1941, when it was first proposed as part of a freeway loop around the Little Rock metropolitan area. Although that loop remains only partially complete, Highway 440, which serves the eastern portion of the corridor, was built to full interstate standards from the start with the expectation that it would one day join the national network.
That expectation has now been realized.
A 14-Mile Connector Through Central Arkansas
Interstate 440 (I-440) spans 14.16 miles as a partial loop through central Arkansas, connecting I-57 and I-40 with I-30 and I-530 in Little Rock. First planned and built as the East Belt Freeway, the route passes through the region’s industrial core, the Port of Little Rock, and Clinton National Airport.
I-440 begins at I-30 with a major interchange that also includes I-530. From there, it crosses Highway 365 (Springer Boulevard) and Bankhead Drive near Clinton National Airport, continues northeast past Lindsey Road, and stretches across the Arkansas River. Along the way, it provides interchanges with U.S. 165 and U.S. 70 before meeting I-40. Beyond I-40, the highway carries traffic to Jacksonville, linking North Little Rock’s eastern neighborhoods with I-57, U.S. 67, and U.S. 167.
An extension of Highway 440 opened in 2003 as part of the North Belt Freeway project, extending the eastern end of the route at I-40 to U.S. 67/167. However, plans to complete the loop by pushing the freeway westward to I-430 have been delayed, with cost estimates now exceeding $600 million.
Federal Approval and Official Redesignation
The promotion to interstate status followed federal approval of a 4.2-mile segment connecting I-40 with I-57. This approval came after U.S. Highway 67/167 was redesignated as Interstate 57, which in turn made Highway 440 eligible for the upgrade.
On August 7, 2024, the Arkansas Highway Commission adopted a minute order requesting the redesignation from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Both agencies subsequently granted approval, clearing the way for the change. ARDOT finalized the process on August 19, 2025, officially recognizing Highway 440 as Interstate 440.
Expanding Arkansas’ Interstate Network
The redesignation marks a major milestone in Arkansas’ transportation system. With U.S. 67/167 now I-57 and Highway 440 officially designated I-440, the state’s interstate network reaches a total of 882 miles.
ARDOT Director Jared Wiley emphasized the economic and logistical advantages of the change. “Interstate connectivity that directly links producers, suppliers, and consumers is key to driving economic development,” Wiley said. “The designation of this stretch of Interstate 440 is not just a change in signage. It represents better long-term economic opportunities for Central Arkansas.”
Wiley also noted that I-440 now connects Interstates 30, 40, 530, and 57, strengthening regional mobility. He described the redesignation as “A significant milestone in the state’s transportation system.”
