Discover the route and history of Interstate 57, a major north–south highway stretching from North Little Rock, Arkansas to Chicago, Illinois, with key connections across the Midwest and South.
Interstate 57 is a critical north–south route in the central United States, extending from Interstate 40 in North Little Rock, Arkansas to Interstate 94 on the south side of Chicago, Illinois. Spanning over 500 miles, I-57 serves as a major freight and passenger corridor, linking the Mid-South to the Great Lakes region without passing through the urban bottleneck of St. Louis.
Originally terminating in Sikeston, Missouri, I-57 has been extended south into Arkansas along the former US-67 corridor. This new segment begins in North Little Rock and passes through Jacksonville, Cabot, Searcy, and Walnut Ridge before entering Missouri near the town of Corning. Much of this extension had already been built to Interstate standards prior to official designation and now provides a seamless high-speed route from Little Rock to southern Illinois.
In Illinois, Interstate 57 continues north through rural and urban centers alike, including Marion, Mount Vernon, Effingham, and Champaign. It offers direct access to Eastern Illinois University in Charleston via US-45 and serves as a vital alternative to I-55 for traffic heading to Chicago. The route terminates in the southern neighborhoods of Chicago at a junction with I-94 (the Dan Ryan Expressway), connecting travelers to the broader Chicago-area freeway system.
With its recent extension and strategic location, I-57 plays a growing role in regional mobility, offering a direct, less congested alternative for north-south travel through the central U.S. and improving freight movement between the South, Midwest, and Great Lakes.
Cruise with us down Interstate 57 from Bald Knob to Searcy, Arkansas—a quick 9-mile drive full of small-town history, scenic farmland, and easy access to wildlife refuges, fishing lakes, and the charms of Searcy. This route follows the historic path of U.S. 67, connec…
Cruise 30 miles south along Interstate 57 from Newport to Bald Knob, Arkansas. Experience scenic river crossings, classic farmland, and local heritage as you travel this essential northeast Arkansas route. Includes points of interest, road info, and highlights along the…
Cruise 37 miles along Interstate 57 (US-67) from Walnut Ridge to Newport, Arkansas, and take in the delta farmland, historic small towns, and the laid-back charm of northeast Arkansas. This easygoing route is perfect for road trippers looking for a relaxed drive with sc…
Drive 44 miles along newly designated Interstate 57 from North Little Rock to Searcy, Arkansas, passing through suburbs, air base access, farmland, and small towns along the historic alignment of U.S. 67. Includes interchanges with I-40, AR-440, and US-64.
Take a scenic ride through the Arkansas Delta along the newly designated Interstate 57 from Searcy to Walnut Ridge. This 79-mile route traces former U.S. 67, passing through Judsonia, Bald Knob, Newport, and Hoxie, and crossing key rivers and agricultural lands.
Take a relaxing drive through central Illinois along Interstate 57 from Mount Vernon to Effingham. Explore peaceful farmland, charming small towns like Salem and Kinmundy, and witness the iconic Cross at the Crossroads in Effingham on this 68-mile highway journey.
Take a scenic drive through Southern Illinois along Interstate 57 from Marion to Mount Vernon. Explore a newly widened highway through Rend Lake, Benton, and the Mount Vernon crossroads in this 41-mile journey through farmland and historic towns.
Take a scenic ride along Interstate 57 from Missouri to Marion, Illinois. Explore river floodplains, historic towns like Cairo, Giant City State Park, and Southern Illinois’ rolling farmland on this 72-mile highway journey.
Take a scenic drive along Interstate 57 from Sikeston, Missouri to the Illinois state line. Explore farmland vistas, the Mississippi River crossing, and the historic Bootheel region in this 22-mile highway journey.
Take a ride down Interstate 57’s Missouri segment, a 12-mile stretch from Charleston to its current terminus at I-55 near Sikeston. Discover how this quiet Bootheel route fits into the growing I-57 corridor between Illinois and Arkansas.