Take a scenic 16-mile drive along Arkansas Highway 309 from Paris to Ozark, winding through farmland, forest, and the Mount Magazine Scenic Byway. A quiet and beautiful backroad drive in the Arkansas River Valley.
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 22: Dardanelle to Paris
Drive 34 miles west on Arkansas Highway 22 from Dardanelle to Paris through lakeside views, farmland, and historic communities. Highlights include Shoal Bay, Subiaco Abbey, and access to Mount Magazine Scenic Byway.
Arkansas Highway 9: Perryville to Oppelo
Drive 7 miles north along Arkansas Highway 9 from Perryville to Oppelo, passing through the town of Perry and scenic farmland in the Arkansas River Valley before connecting to AR-154 toward Petit Jean State Park.
Arkansas Highway 60: Conway to Perryville
Take a scenic 21-mile drive west on Arkansas Highway 60 from Conway to Perryville. Cross the Arkansas River at Toad Suck, pass through farmland and small towns like Bigelow and Houston, and end in the foothills of the Ouachitas at Perryville.
Arkansas Highway 89 (Old Alignment): Mayflower to Lollie
Take a drive on the older alignment of Arkansas Highway 89 from Mayflower to Lollie in Faulkner County, Arkansas. This 4-mile video showcases a now-rerouted segment of the highway, offering a quiet, scenic journey past creeks, cemeteries, and Stone Lake before ending at…
Arkansas Highway 365: Maumelle to Conway
Take a relaxing drive along Arkansas Highway 365 from Maumelle to Conway. This 18-mile route winds past Lake Conway, through the heart of Mayflower, and into the college town of Conway, offering scenic views and small-town charm.
Arkansas Highway 100: Maumelle Blvd – South in Maumelle
Take a 3-mile drive down Arkansas Highway 100—Maumelle Boulevard—through the heart of Maumelle, Arkansas. This short suburban route transitions from wooded neighborhoods to the city’s core commercial corridor.
Arkansas Highway 74: Brentwood to Elkins
Take a winding drive through the Boston Mountains as we follow Arkansas Highway 74 from Brentwood to Wyola, then continue along scenic county roads to Elkins. This 14-mile route showcases forested hills, rural homesteads, and quiet Ozark charm.
Arkansas Highway 100: Maumelle Blvd – North in Maumelle
Explore the northern stretch of Maumelle Boulevard (AR-100) in Maumelle, Arkansas—an essential two-mile route connecting neighborhoods, civic centers, and shopping hubs from Commerce Drive to AR-365.
Tennessee Route 1: North Parkway – Memphis
Take a scenic and historic ride along North Parkway in Memphis as we follow Tennessee Route 1 for 3 miles from Overton Park to the edge of downtown. Discover stately homes, urban renewal, and the city’s vibrant heartbeat along the way.
Tennessee Route 1: Brownsville
Take a short but scenic ride along Tennessee Route 1 in Brownsville, TN. This 2-mile journey winds through the town square and downtown Main Street, offering a glimpse into small-town charm and historic architecture.
Tennessee Route 100: Bon Aqua to Chestnut Grove
Explore a peaceful and scenic drive along Tennessee Route 100 from Bon Aqua to Chestnut Grove. This 43-mile route winds through Centerville, Wrigley, and Pleasantville, offering rolling hills, historic towns, and a true taste of rural Tennessee charm.