Buckle up as we cruise 22 scenic miles north along U.S. Highway 71, connecting the bustling town of Bella Vista, Arkansas, to the laid-back community of Pineville, Missouri. This corridor straddles the Arkansas-Missouri border and serves as both a local commuter route and a vital link for travelers moving between the Ozarks and the rest of the Midwest.
We kick off our journey on Interstate 49, rolling northbound between Bentonville and Bella Vista. Here, the highway corridor is well-developed, lined with the typical mix of new neighborhoods, big-box stores, and a few pockets of wooded hills that remind us we’re still in the heart of the Ozarks.
Before long, we hit the interchange for what’s known locally as Arkansas Highway 549, better recognized as the Bella Vista Bypass — a modern expressway easing congestion for through-traffic. We stay on I-49 through the interchange, and as we push further north, I-49 officially drops its interstate designation and picks up its older identity as U.S. Highway 71 just as we roll into Bella Vista proper.
Once on U.S. 71, we cruise past a handful of local intersections and subdivisions nestled along the rolling hillsides. A quick jog north brings us to the junction with AR-340, better known to locals as Lancashire Boulevard — a handy connector for Bella Vista’s residential enclaves and golf courses. Just beyond this spot, the road gains a more rural character as it leaves the last traces of the city behind. Dense clusters of trees and small ridges flank both sides of the highway, creating a peaceful yet purposeful drive toward Missouri.
Crossing the state line about a mile north of AR-340, we officially trade Arkansas for Missouri pavement. The first mile or two takes us through a bustling commercial strip serving the communities of southern McDonald County. Keep an eye out here — it’s a quick zone with local traffic darting in and out of roadside businesses. Soon enough, the road divides once again into an expressway as it curves northwest. Approaching Jane, Missouri, we pass the intersection with Missouri Highway 90 — a handy east-west route for folks heading toward Noel or Southwest City. From here, the highway gently arcs back to a true northward course. At this stretch, U.S. Highway 71 transitions seamlessly back into Interstate 49, blending old alignments with new bypass construction. We wrap up this drive just south of Pineville at exit 5, with the rugged hills of the Ozarks still rising all around.
This short but important drive is more than a connector — it’s a snapshot of how the Ozark region balances rural beauty with modern transportation. If time allows, pull off to explore local trails, cozy cafés in Bella Vista, or take a side trip into the rolling hills near Pineville for a taste of Missouri’s countryside.
Note: The highlighted segment has been upgraded as AR-549 was officially upgraded to I-49 in October, 2021, just after this was filmed. Watch our video on the Bella Vista Bypass to see the upgraded highway.
🗺️ Route Map
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