U.S. Route 70B: Hot Springs – Arkansas

Nestled in the heart of the Ouachita Mountains, U.S. Route 70B in Hot Springs, Arkansas, offers a short but engaging drive through one of the state’s most popular tourist towns. This 10-mile business loop provides access to both natural wonders and urban hotspots as it arcs through Hot Springs on its way between two major U.S. routes—US 70 and US 270. Whether you’re looking to experience a piece of Americana or you’re just navigating your way through the region, this route gives you a close-up view of Hot Springs without the need to venture too deep into its often-crowded downtown core.

The drive begins just east of Hot Springs at a junction where U.S. Highway 70 and Arkansas Highway 5 meet. Here, 70B branches off from the mainline and sets its course westward. Right from the start, drivers find themselves on a four-lane divided roadway that curves gently northwest, surrounded by a mix of suburban neighborhoods and heavily wooded terrain. Before long, the route intersects Arkansas Highway 7 Spur—also known as Gorge Road—near the edge of Hot Springs National Park. If time allows, this is a great place to pause your drive and explore. The Gulpha Gorge Campground and its surrounding hiking trails are just a stone’s throw away, offering a peaceful natural retreat right on the edge of town.

After that junction, 70B swings to the southwest and transitions into Grand Avenue—a major arterial road leading into the heart of the city. The transition is marked by a change in scenery as well, as wooded areas give way to residential neighborhoods, small businesses, and schools. This stretch offers a practical cross-section of life in Hot Springs, away from the resort-heavy downtown area. Along this portion of Grand Avenue, you’ll also pass a number of local eateries and shops that reflect the town’s blend of Southern charm and tourist-driven economy.

As the road approaches the central part of town, it intersects U.S. Highway 270B (Malvern Avenue). At this point, the route makes a westward shift, effectively bypassing the historic downtown corridor and Central Avenue to the south. While you won’t be driving directly through Bathhouse Row, you’re only a few minutes’ detour from it if you’re up for a side trip. Shortly thereafter, 70B meets Scenic Arkansas Highway 7, one of the state’s most iconic drives. This makes for another tempting detour option—north will take you toward the hot springs and visitor center, while south heads into deeper forested terrain and the rolling hills of the Ouachitas.

Continuing along the route, 70B takes a brief southward jog along Summer Street before making a sharp southwest turn onto Albert Pike Road. This segment runs through a more commercial zone, where big-box stores, fast food joints, and retail centers dot the roadside. It’s also a convenient area to fuel up or grab supplies before leaving the city behind.

Just past the Albert Pike commercial corridor, U.S. 70B intersects U.S. 270B once more—this time at Airport Road. Here, the route turns southwest again and follows Airport Road past the Memorial Field Airport. While not a major airport, it plays a role in connecting Hot Springs to regional destinations and sometimes hosts airshows and community events. The road continues for about a mile from this point, concluding at a full interchange with U.S. Route 270, which carries travelers either deeper into the Ouachita Mountains to the west or eastward toward the main Hot Springs expressways.

Though it’s labeled a business route, U.S. 70B in Hot Springs functions more like a scenic and local connector than a true bypass. It offers access to everything from national parkland and residential neighborhoods to commercial zones and regional transportation links. For anyone interested in the layout and flow of Hot Springs—or just aiming to avoid the downtown crush—this route is a surprisingly well-rounded shortcut through Arkansas’s famed spa city.