Its mission is to provide a safe, efficient, aesthetically pleasing and environmentally sound intermodal transportation system for the user.

The department's director is appointed by the commission to hire staff and manage construction and maintenance on Arkansas's highways.

The department also conducts planning, public transportation, the State Aid County Road Program, the Arkansas Highway Police, and Federal-Aid project administration.

The commission was tasked with coordination roadway construction standards and route planning among the state's myriad county agencies and road improvement districts, and had little power or funding.

An emergency session of the 44th Arkansas General Assembly enacted the Harrelson Road Law to meet federal requirements to receive funding.

[citation needed] On June 8, 2017, the AHTD announced that it would change its name and logo to the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ArDOT) effective July 31, 2017.