The right-of-way of the Urban Loop and its interchanges between South Elm-Eugene Street and Huffine Mill Road was annexed by the city of Greensboro in 2005.

The final segment to be built, 3.7 miles (6.0 km) between North Elm Street and I-785/US 29, opened to traffic on January 23, 2023.

Turning south at an interchange with Huffine Mill Road, the Urban Loop intersects US 70 shortly after.

After meeting South Elm-Eugene Street, the Urban Loop comes to an interchange complex with I-73/US 220 and I-85 Bus./US 29/US 70.

A June 1948 document from the city Planning & Zoning Commission described the Urban Loop as part of "a comprehensive thoroughfare system for Greensboro."

[3] Painter Boulevard appeared as a freeway loop in the 1967 City of Greensboro Transportation Plan.

In June 1977, a thoroughfare plan (including what would become the Urban Loop) was adopted by the City of Greensboro, Guilford County and the North Carolina Board of Transportation.

In 2002, the first segment of the Urban Loop opened, a 3.1-mile (5.0 km) four-lane connector, today a part of I-785/I-840, between I-40/I-85 and US 70; it was unsigned and internally designated SR 3269.

Upon completion of the southwest section, I-40 was rerouted onto the southern portion of the Urban Loop, sharing the route with I-73 to the west and I-85 to the east.

[citation needed] NCDOT and Greensboro DOT plans to add an additional interchange: East Cone Boulevard (SR 2565).

Mileage below reflects miles from the interchange with I-40 west of Greensboro and continues clockwise around the Urban Loop.