Cruise north on Arkansas Highway 105 from Atkins to Oak Grove for eight miles of small-town charm, farmland views, and quiet country driving — a simple slice of the River Valley that’s just minutes off Interstate 40.
State Highways
Explore America’s diverse network of state highways—regional routes managed by individual states that connect towns, cities, parks, and scenic landscapes.
State highways form the backbone of regional travel across the United States, offering essential connections between cities, rural communities, and major national routes. Managed by individual state departments of transportation, these highways vary widely in scale—from narrow rural byways to multi-lane expressways rivaling interstates in traffic and speed. While numbering systems and signage conventions differ from state to state, each network plays a critical role in local mobility and economic development.
Unlike the federally designated Interstate and U.S. Highway systems, state highways are developed and maintained at the state level, giving them a unique character and flexibility. Some follow historic paths and scenic corridors, while others serve as modern commuter routes or urban spurs. Many are vital links to state parks, natural attractions, and lesser-known destinations that don’t fall within the national systems.
On this site, we highlight a growing collection of notable state highways, organized by region and state. Whether you’re tracing a scenic loop through the mountains, navigating a fast-moving corridor through a metro area, or exploring forgotten rural routes, our guides offer detailed overviews, and video journeys to help you plan your next adventure.
State Highway vs Route vs Road…
State Departments of Transportation use different terminology for their designated road systems, with some states using “state highway,” others “state road,” and still others “state route.” These distinctions, though seemingly minor, often reflect historical and legislative traditions within each state. The choice of a particular term can be tied to the legal language used when the road network was first established or expanded. For example, a state might have initially defined its network as a “system of highways” for commerce and travel, while another may have focused on creating a “system of roads” for local and inter-city connections. The term “state route” is often a more modern designation that emphasizes a specific numbered path for navigation rather than the physical characteristics or purpose of the road itself. While the exact reasoning for each state’s choice is complex and rooted in its unique history, the map on the right provides a visual guide to which term is used where.
Explore State Routes
Arkansas Highway 72: Pea Ridge
Cruise along Arkansas Highway 72 for five historic miles through Pea Ridge and the Pea Ridge National Military Park. This short, scenic drive blends local history, quiet country roads, and a glimpse into one of the best-preserved Civil War battlefields in the Ozarks.
Arkansas Highway 94 – Bella Vista to Pea Ridge
Cruise along Arkansas Highway 94 for 6 miles from Bella Vista to Pea Ridge. Experience a peaceful drive through tree-lined residential areas, open countryside, and the historic charm of Pea Ridge — gateway to northwest Arkansas’s Civil War history and Ozark scenery.
South Dakota Highway 244: Hill City to Mount Rushmore Memorial
Cruise 9 scenic miles east along South Dakota Highway 244 from Hill City to the Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Enjoy dense forests, the tranquil Horsethief Lake, and classic Black Hills mountain views on this unforgettable approach to America’s Shrine of Democracy.
Missouri Supplemental Route H: Noel to Pineville
Take a short but scenic ride along Missouri Supplemental Highway H from Noel to Pineville. Follow Kings Highway through the wooded Elk River valley and connect to I-49 for more Ozark exploration.
Missouri Highway 90: Southwest City to Noel
Cruise 11 scenic miles along Missouri Highway 90 from Southwest City to Noel. This winding Ozark drive passes through quiet forests, rolling farmland, and the charming riverside town of Noel — perfect for a quick day trip or a weekend float.
Arkansas Highway 43: Maysville to Missouri
Cruise 7 miles along Arkansas Highway 43 and Oklahoma Highway 20 from Maysville to the Missouri state line. This short drive traces the tri-state border through farmland and quiet Ozark backroads, ending at the rural corner where Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri meet.
Arkansas Highway 43: Siloam Springs to Maysville
Cruise Arkansas Highway 43 from Siloam Springs to Maysville for 18 miles of winding Ozark countryside, farmland, and forest-lined backroads near the Oklahoma border.
Arkansas Highway 59: Summers to Siloam Springs
Drive Arkansas Highway 59 for 15 miles from Summers to Siloam Springs and enjoy a peaceful mix of rolling farmland, shady forests, and small rural communities in northwest Arkansas.
Arkansas Highway 16: Fayetteville to Elkins
Cruise from southeast Fayetteville to Elkins along Arkansas Highway 16 — a short, relaxing 6-mile drive that blends city outskirts, wooded parkland near Lake Sequoyah, and small-town charm.
Arkansas Highway 45: Whitener to Fayetteville
Cruise Arkansas Highway 45 for 14 miles from Whitener to Fayetteville, passing through Mayfield, Goshen, and the quiet countryside with river crossings and scenic back roads into the heart of Fayetteville.
Arkansas Highway 295: Hindsville to Whitener
Cruise 3 peaceful miles along Arkansas Highway 295 from Hindsville to Whitener. This short backroad journey ties together farmland scenery and wooded pockets typical of the Ozarks, linking U.S. 412 to AR-45 and AR-303 for more adventures ahead.