Arkansas Highway 128 offers a short but scenic route connecting the quiet rural community of De Roche to the vibrant city of Hot Springs. Stretching just 15 miles, this drive through the Ouachita foothills showcases winding mountain curves, glimpses of lakes and rivers, and a transition from backwoods tranquility to city energy. Whether you’re a local looking for a peaceful weekend drive or a traveler wanting to take the scenic route into Hot Springs, this leg of AR-128 offers a little bit of everything in a compact package.
Our journey begins in De Roche, where Highway 128 branches off from Highway 84. The route wastes no time getting scenic—almost immediately it starts a climb into the Ouachita foothills, twisting through the piney woods. These winding curves are characteristic of rural Arkansas drives and offer a nice change of pace from the faster highways nearby. Along this initial stretch, there aren’t many services or towns, but what you do get is quiet, wooded solitude. It’s an ideal stretch for anyone who enjoys forest drives, especially in the fall when the foliage puts on a show.
As we reach the top of the rise, AR-128 swings back north and intersects with AR-290, just south of Lake Hamilton. Here, the two highways briefly run together, curving east before splitting again in the small community of Red Oak. This area marks the beginning of a more developed landscape, and it’s where you’ll first start to feel the influence of Hot Springs approaching. From this point, Highway 128 continues north, quickly crossing the Ouachita River. If you’re watching to the west, you might catch a glimpse of Carpenter Dam, which forms Lake Hamilton—one of the most popular recreational lakes in central Arkansas.
As the route continues into the city limits of Hot Springs, the landscape transitions to urban with residential neighborhoods and commercial development. You’ll pass under a full interchange with U.S. Route 270, making it easy to connect to other regional highways. AR-128 ends just a few blocks later at its junction with Malvern Avenue (US-270B), right on the southern edge of Hot Springs. From here, it’s just minutes to popular attractions like Bathhouse Row, Hot Springs National Park, and Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort. For such a short drive, Highway 128 packs in a surprising mix of forested solitude and city access.
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