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Transportation & Location

Traveling throughout the northwest Arkansas region is made quick and efficient via several modes of transportation. Major arterial highways, bus and paratransit resources, air transportation and water travel round out the list of ways to get in and out of this bustling metropolitan area.

For those commuting by roadway, the newly constructed Interstate 540/71—which is expected to handle nearly 74,000 vehicles a day by 2011—provides a link to Interstate 40 to the south and allows access to Interstate 44 to the north. Interstate 40—a 40-minute drive via Interstate 540/71—is the country’s most continuous east to west route, connecting northwest Arkansas with major markets in North Carolina to the east and California to the west. Interstate 44 can be reached within 1.5 hours and offers a connection with several major Midwest markets, including those in St. Louis and Chicago. The region also is afforded the use of Highway 412, which links the area with Tulsa and Oklahoma City to the west. Expansion in the near future will offer a connection to Nashville as well. By 2020, it is projected that Highway 412 will hit 59,000 vehicles per day.

Affordable public bus service in this region can be found through Ozark Regional Transit. A number of fixed routes can be accessed throughout Fayetteville, Springdale, Bentonville and Rogers. Dial-a-ride paratransit service also is available through this transportation resource.

Razorback Transit serves the University of Arkansas and the City of Fayetteville from 7 a.m. until 10:30 p.m., Monday - Saturday during school terms, with reduced service in the summer. Razorback buses charge no fare and are free to both the student population and Fayetteville citizens and visitors. Linkage is provided to Ozark Regional Transit buses at various points in the city with complimentary para-transit service offered for those who qualify.

Freight rail line service can be found through the Arkansas and Missouri Railroad. The railroad operates between the cities of Monett, MO and Fort Smith, AR.

Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport (XNA) is one of the newest and fastest growing regional airports in the U.S., offering travelers more than 90 daily flights in and out of the region through 12 major airlines and several regional air carriers. Access to the airport, which is located near Bentonville, is provided via the Interstate 540 and Highway 264 at the Lowell exit, as well as from Bentonville through Highway 12. Additionally, the communities of northwest Arkansas all operate individual airports utilized for private and charter aircraft.

Within one hour, in Fort Smith, the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System can be reached. This 445-mile waterway is utilized for commercial shipping to the Mississippi River, and ultimately the Gulf of Mexico.


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