Interstate 49 in Arkansas

Interstate 49
Open sections of I-49 in red as of June 2015[update]
Route information
Existed:	March 28, 2014 – present
Southern Arkansas segment
South end:	I-49 at the Louisiana state line
Major junctions:	AR 151 in Texarkana I-30 in Texarkana
North end:	US 71 / US 59 in Texarkana
Northern Arkansas segment
South end:	I-40 / US 71 in Alma
Major junctions:	US 62 in Fayetteville US 412 in Springdale US 62 in Rogers
North end:	US 71 near Bella Vista
Fort Smith Area segment
South end:	US 71
North end:	AR 22 / AR 255 in Barling, AR
Highway system
Interstate Highway System Main Auxiliary Suffixed Business Arkansas Highway System Interstate US State Business Spurs Suffixed Scenic Heritage ← AR 48 US 49 →

Interstate 49 (I-49) is an Interstate Highway in the state of Arkansas. There are two main sections of the highway, split by construction. The northern section begins at I-40 and at U.S. Highway 71 (US 71) in Alma, Arkansas and runs north to Bella Vista, Arkansas, where the freeway terminates, awaiting completion of the Bella Vista Bypass. The second, southern section starts at the Louisiana state line, then runs to Texarkana, at the Texas state line.

The route begins at the Louisiana state line. Then, from the US 71 interchange in Doddridge, Arkansas, I-49 follows former Highway 549 up to I-30 in Texarkana, then heads west and passes the Texas state line by a few hundred feet.

The interstate begins again at exit 12 along I-40, one mile (1.6 km) west of Alma, Arkansas, continuing for over 65 miles (105 km) through the Crawford, Washington, and Benton counties. Just north of the Crawford-Washington county line is the Bobby Hopper Tunnel which is the only large highway tunnel in Arkansas. Notable cities along the route are Fayetteville, Springdale, Rogers, and Bentonville. From I-40 north to Fayetteville, I-49 runs roughly parallel to Highway 71. Just south of Fayetteville, I-49 combines with Highways 71 and 62, forming the major expressway through the northwest Arkansas metro area. I-49 ends where the expressway also ends, just north of Bentonville, where it becomes US 71 and the main street of Bella Vista, Bella Vista Way.