The northern section of Interstate 49 measures 269 miles in length from I-40 at Alma in northwest Arkansas to the Three Trails Crossing interchange joining I-435, I-470, U.S. The ensuing stretch of I-49 leads 78 miles north from Blanchard, Louisiana to Texarkana, Arkansas. I-49 dog legs west alongside I-20, 5.3 miles to I-220, which it joins six miles northeast to North Shreveport. The original 208 mile long stretch runs north from Lafayette to Shreveport, where it ties into I-20 southwest of Downtown.
Envisioned as a nearly 850 mile route from New Orleans to Kansas City, Interstate 49 is currently signed on two segments from the Gulf Coast to the Midwest.
