Arkansas Coverage Area

With our headquarters located in Fort Smith, ArcBest^® calls the state of Arkansas “home.” With direct service available to any point in the state, we also offer a full array of transportation and logistics solutions around the world. To get additional information on booking a shipment, or to learn more about our services, call ArcBest customer solutions at 800-610-5544.

Quick Facts

• Population — 2,978,204 in 2015
• Unemployment rate — 5.2 percent 2015
• Sales tax — 6.5 percent
• Income tax rate — Ranges from 1 percent to 7 percent depending on tax bracket
   

Doing Business in Arkansas

Arkansas is a scenic state consisting of natural beauty from the Ozark Mountains in the northwest to the Arkansas Delta in the southeast. The state is home to one of the country’s first paved roads, but it’s probably most known as the home of Walmart®, the world’s largest brick-and-mortar retailer. Arkansas’ economic drivers are diverse — from soybean and rice production to manufacturing — but with a low cost of living and an infrastructure that provides easy access to transportation hubs like Chicago, it’s an attractive destination for residents and businesses of any size.

Key Industries in The Natural State

Arkansas is nicknamed The Natural State because of its abundant wildlife, state parks, forestry, lakes, rivers and streams, but the state also appropriately has a supply of natural resources. Mining renewable energy sources such as natural gas and petroleum makes up about 10 percent of the state’s annual income. Significant revenue from mining other resources including quartz, sand and gravel, coal, limestone, vanadium and bromine is also seen.

Agriculture and manufacturing are other leading revenue sources in the state. Top agriculture products include poultry and eggs, soybeans, cattle, cotton, rice, pork and milk. Food and paper production are the largest manufacturing products, followed by metal, machinery and transportation, wood and motor parts.

Other economic generators include wholesale dealers (such as automotive sales and farmed products), retailers and tourism.

Arkansas’ Transportation Network

Arkansas commuters and businesses rely on road, rail and air services to travel and do business in the state. With 16,416 miles of highways, 1,683 miles of Class 1 railroads and four major airports, the state provides the resources needed to travel for business and ship commercial freight.

Highway Systems

Ten interstates, 20 federal highways and state highways that spread throughout all 75 counties allow access to any region of the state. And because Arkansas is located in the central part of the United States, it’s easy and efficient to get your shipments anywhere in the country.

Airports

Arkansas has four airports that provide service to commercial flights, including the largest, the Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport/Adams Field in Little Rock. Other larger airports in the state include Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport, Fort Smith Regional Airport and Texarkana Regional Airport. There are also several smaller municipal airports in locations across the state.

Rail and River

In addition to roads and air, freight may travel through the state by rail or water. Arkansas has 2,750 miles of railroad track, divided among 26 railway companies, including three Class I railroads. Businesses also benefit from barge traffic on the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System, a waterway system that runs through both Arkansas and Oklahoma.