Created during the 1926 Arkansas state highway numbering, the route was extended in the 1950s and 1960s, including along a former alignment of US 61.

Between West Memphis and Turrell, the highway is part of the Great River Road National Scenic Byway.

In Mississippi County, traffic was below 400 VPD south of Athelstan, and ranges between 440-1800 north of it (excluding concurrencies).

[9] Continuing through a commercial area, AR 77 crosses Ten Mile Bayou and passes West Memphis Christian School before an intersection with I-40/I-55/US 61/US 64/US 78/US 79.

[10] The highway passes underneath the freeway, briefly jogging along a service road and crossing the BNSF Railway before continuing northbound.

Continuing northbound, AR 77/GRR passes the historic Marion Colored High School in the small town of Sunset.

Continuing north, AR 77/GRR passes along the west side of the Wapanocca National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), crossing Big Creek, entering the city of Turrell, and intersecting AR 42, which serves as the entrance to the NWR.

[3][14] The southern terminus was switched from West Ridge to Athelstan on the 1952 state highway map.

[16][17] On July 29, 1953, the Arkansas State Highway Commission extended the route along AR 14 and south to an area near Whitton.