Beyond its proximity to the countrys major markets, North Little Rock is a convenient location for travel and distribution because of the areas outstanding multimodal transportation network.

Highways

The major route to Dallas/Fort Worth Interstate 30 begins at North Little Rock, branching off Interstate 40, the major east-west route through North Little Rock connecting California to North Carolina. Interstate 430, a bypass route, also begins at North Little Rock, connecting Interstate 40 to Interstate 30 to the west. Highway 440 to the east provides a bypass route from Highway 167 to Interstate 30. A future loop the North Belt will connect the northern sections of North Little Rock with Interstate 40 on the citys eastern and western ends.

Airlines

North Little Rock Municipal Airport features a 5,002-foot and a 3,000-foot runway that is paved, lighted, and has full radio communications. The NLR Airport also serves as a reliever airport for general aviation traffic at Little Rock National Airport, just 10 minutes from downtown North Little Rock.

A $30 million parking deck/terminal improvement project at Little Rock National Airport was recently completed. Included in the project are a new multilevel parking deck connected to the terminal by a skybridge, a rental car plaza, atrium and grand entrances, a wider baggage claim area, remodeling of the terminal facade and a ground transportation center, which houses counters for shuttle and limousine operations as well as the airports ground transportation desk and taxi access. The 890-space parking deck also houses rental car ready lots on the first level.

Waterways

North Little Rock lies along the Arkansas River, a year-round barge navigation route and part of the 448-mile McClellan-Kerr Navigation System, which extends from the Verdigris River (15 miles east of Tulsa, OK) southeast to the Mississippi River.

The channel includes 17 locks and dams that lift the river a total of 420 feet. Fully loaded barges can navigate the 200-foot side channel all year. Privately owned Bruce Oakley Port in North Little Rock can handle almost any type of material. Across the river from North Little Rock is the Little Rock Port, a full-service facility served by 44 ICC-certified common-carrier barge lines, which features a barge/rail terminal and a slack-water harbor.

The Little Rock Port has been designated Foreign Trade Zone No. 14, the first such installation on an American inland waterway to receive this valuable classification.

Railways: Freight

The metropolitan area is served with main and short-line service by Union Pacific Railroad with 85 freight arrivals and departures each day. Union Pacific has the largest railroad engine repair facility in the nation at North Little Rock, as well as a manor automated freight classifications yard (hump yard) and material distribution center. Rail service is provided to virtually all major markets in the continental U. S. via regular north-south and east-west routes.

Arkansas Midland Railroad

Arkansas Midland Railroad switches many of the industries in North Little Rock, working seamlessly with Union Pacific and BNSF to provide rail transportation throughout North America. The Arkansas Midland has won national awards for its marketing and customer service. In 2004, a new rail-truck transloading facility will be opened in conjunction with the city of North Little Rock.

Railways: Passenger

Amtrak provides passenger rail travel, with several arrivals and departures each week at Little Rocks Union Station, five minutes from downtown North Little Rock.

Motor Freight

Major terminals for ABF Freight Systems, J.B. Hunt, Covenant Trucking, Maverick Transportation, C.C. Jones and McNeil Trucking are operated in North Little Rock.

Bus

North Little Rock is home to a major terminal operated by Greyhound Lines, as well as several charter firms offering local, regional and national charter service.

Intercity and intracity transportation is provided by Central Arkansas Transit, jointly funded by municipal governments throughout the metropolitan area.