The Highway 100 designation was created at the request of the mayor of North Little Rock, who planned to construct Riverside Drive between Rose City and Locust Street, and desired inclusion in the state highway system.

[3] The Arkansas State Highway Commission agreed to an alignment in 1965, but the road was not completed for over 20 years.

The designation was officially assigned on December 1, 1987, following completion of Riverfront Drive between Highway 365 and Interstate 30 (I-30).

[5] The route was extended along Crystal Hill Road to I-40 on August 11, 1993, at the request of concerned citizens, members of the Arkansas General Assembly, and the Pulaski County Judge.

Another section of Highway 100 previously existed in North Little Rock, and was known locally as "Riverfront Drive".