AR 540 has existed twice in two different places. Both instances
of AR 540 eventually incorporated into Interstate 540.

History

The first I-540 was in Fort Smith. Interstate 540 was built in stages starting in the mid-1960's. By 1971, I-540 extended south from I-40 to the Rogers Ave (AR 22) interchange. The freeway continued from AR 22 to the US 71 interchange as AR 540.

1977 AHTD map of Fort Smith showing AR 540

In the early 1980's, AR 540 was decommissioned in favor of an extended I-540. AR 540 would come back in the future, however. The first section of the Alma-Fayetteville freeway was opened in 1996. It started at I-40 and followed the freeway to the freeway's then-terminus at AR 282 (today's exit 29 on I-540). AR 540 exited off the freeway, and followed AR 282 northeast to US 71 in Mountainburg.

1997 AHTD map showing Arkansas 540

AR 540, version 2.0 was decommissioned on January 8, 1999 when the Alma-Fayetteville freeway was completed and the whole highway was redesignated as an extension of I-540.