US 78/AR 226 then intersects Arkansas Highway 18 (AR 18) just south of the Cash Central Business District.

The two highways then have an intersection with AR 226 southwest of Gilkerson before beginning to run concurrently with US 49 and US 63 east-northeast of Gibson.

About 1.21 miles (1.95 km) down the road, US 78 meets AR 18 again, this time the two highways run concurrently to Blytheville.

US 78/AR 18 then passes through the communities of Black Oak, Monette, Leachville, Manila, Wilson Junction, Dell, and finally Blytheville.

[1][2] The extension was approved by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) in November 2023.