Take a scenic ride through the Arkansas River Valley as we follow Interstate 540 from Van Buren to Fort Smith, Arkansas. This 15-mile journey offers a smooth and modern bypass through one of Arkansas’s most storied regions—linking the historic town of Van Buren to the vibrant city of Fort Smith, while skirting the foothills of the Ozarks and tracing the edge of the Arkansas River.
We begin our southbound journey at the interchange with Interstate 40 on the north side of Van Buren. This junction marks the northern terminus of I-540, and from here the route carries a steady stream of traffic toward the Oklahoma border. The initial stretch threads its way through the eastern edge of Van Buren, a city rich in heritage with roots dating back to the early 1800s. To the west lies Van Buren’s charming historic district, a popular stop for those traveling the nearby Old Wire Road or exploring the Missouri Pacific Railroad Depot. As we drive past local exits, rolling hills begin to rise in the distance, hinting at the proximity of the Boston Mountains to the northeast.
Soon, we approach the sweeping interchange with U.S. Route 64, where the highway bends southwest to line up with the Arkansas River. It’s here that the scenery truly opens up. The crossing over the river is a graceful arc, offering fleeting views of the water and the surrounding riverfront. The bridge not only marks our entry into Fort Smith but also the beginning of the highway’s southern bypass route—a modern corridor that skirts the denser core of the city. Fort Smith itself, once a frontier military post, has grown into a major cultural and economic hub in western Arkansas. But from the elevated lanes of I-540, we stay just far enough removed to catch glimpses of the skyline while still making good time around the city.
After crossing into Fort Smith, we continue south toward the interchange with Arkansas Highway 22, where the interstate turns southwest once again. This area feels more suburban—wide shoulders, sound barriers, and intermittent glimpses of residential areas and light industry. As we curve around the eastern perimeter of town, the Fort Smith Regional Airport comes into view on our right. This part of the highway, near AR-45, is especially open and flat, and its six-lane width ensures smooth traffic flow even during peak hours. There’s a sense of transition here—out of the urban spread and toward the more rural, cross-border nature of the route’s final miles.
As we pass the major interchange with U.S. 71, the route begins its final swing westward. Fort Smith thins out in the rearview as we approach the terminus of I-540 at U.S. 271, where the highway seamlessly continues into Oklahoma. Though the road designation changes, the infrastructure remains consistent—a high-speed corridor designed to connect Arkansas with its western neighbor. It’s a fitting end to this short but significant stretch of interstate: efficient, well-maintained, and layered with the quiet legacy of river towns, frontier posts, and regional crossroads.
🗺️ Route Map
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