[Objective] The spatial and temporal changes in the intensive use of arable land in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region were studied in order to improve the intensive and sustainable use of arable land resources.[Methods] Principal component analysis was used to comprehensively evaluate the level of intensive use of arable land for the entire Inner Mongolia region and its 12 leagues, and to reveal its spatial and temporal variation characteristics and driving factors.[Results] ① The analysis conducted at the whole region level showed that the overall arable land intensification level increased during 1985-2018, with the arable land intensification level increasing from 63.30 to 88.12, an increase of 39.21%. The overall arable land intensification utilization showed a wave-like growth pattern. ② The spatial-level analysis showed that the level of intensive utilization of arable land in each league or city of Inner Mongolia could be divided into five levels by the natural division method, among which Bayannaoer and Hulun Buir League were classified as highly intensive (level Ⅰ); Xilingol League, Hing'an League, Alxa League, and Ordos City were relatively high intensive (level Ⅱ); Hohhot City was generally intensive (level Ⅲ); Chifeng and Tongliao City were relatively extensive (level Ⅳ). Wulanchabu City, Baotou City, and Wuhan City were extensive (level Ⅴ). ③ The analysis of drivers showed that GDP per capita, posable income per farmer, financial expenditures on agriculture, and the amount of investment in fixed assets in primary industries had significant positive driving effects on the intensive use of arable land in Inner Mongolia, while the gross value of primary industries, urbanization rate, and the area of water and soil management had significant negative driving effects on the intensive use of arable land in Inner Mongolia.[Conclusion] In the future, transfer of arable land should be regulated, the control of arable land use should be strengthened, the relationship between production and ecology should be coordinated, and the intensive use of arable land should be further improved.