Take a scenic drive along U.S. Route 70 from Sparta to Crossville, Tennessee. This 29-mile journey crosses the Cumberland Plateau, passing through wooded ridges, Pleasant Hill, and historic small towns before reaching Crossville.
U.S. Route 70
Discover the history, route, and highlights of U.S. Route 70, a transcontinental highway stretching from Arizona to North Carolina. Explore scenic drives, key cities, and historical segments.
U.S. Route 70 (US 70) is a major east–west United States Highway stretching over 2,300 miles from the deserts of eastern Arizona to the scenic shores of North Carolina. Originally commissioned in 1926, the route has served as a vital corridor for commerce, travel, and regional development through the American Southwest and Southeast. Over the decades, portions of US 70 have been realigned, shortened, or absorbed by the Interstate Highway System, but many sections still retain their historical character and charm.
Starting in Globe, Arizona, US 70 travels eastward through remote desert landscapes and Native American reservations before entering New Mexico, where it briefly merges with US 60 and US 285. In Texas, the route traverses the High Plains and the Llano Estacado, intersecting numerous small towns and rural communities. As it continues into Oklahoma and Arkansas, the highway winds through forested hills and crosses the scenic Ouachita Mountains, offering picturesque views and access to recreational areas.
In its eastern half, US 70 becomes more urbanized as it enters Tennessee and North Carolina. It passes through major cities like Memphis, Nashville, and Knoxville, running parallel to or overlapping with Interstates in several places. In North Carolina, US 70 serves as a major arterial route connecting Raleigh, Goldsboro, and New Bern before terminating near the Atlantic coast in Beaufort. Despite the rise of the Interstate system, US 70 remains an important route for local traffic and a scenic alternative for travelers looking to explore the regions it passes through.
Discover U.S. Routes
U.S. Route 70: North Little Rock to Lonoke
Travel 23 miles along U.S. Route 70 from North Little Rock to Lonoke, Arkansas. Explore historic downtown streets, farmland vistas, and early highway alignments on this classic Delta corridor.
U.S. Route 70: Brownsville to Lakeland – Tennessee
Follow U.S. Route 70 for 36 miles from Brownsville to Lakeland, Tennessee, along the state’s first numbered highway. Pass farms, small towns, and historic roadside landmarks on this slower-paced alternative to I-40.
U.S. Route 70S: McMinnville to Sparta – Tennessee
Explore a 24-mile drive along U.S. Route 70S from McMinnville to Sparta, Tennessee, passing through riverside landscapes, farmland, and small towns like Campaign and Doyle. A relaxed alternative to the interstate with true scenic charm.
U.S. Route 70: Hot Springs to Glenwood – Arkansas
Take a 31-mile drive along U.S. Route 70 from Hot Springs to Glenwood, Arkansas, passing through forested hills, historic towns, and scenic byways in the heart of the Ouachita Mountains.
U.S. Route 70B: Hot Springs – Arkansas
Take a 10-mile drive along U.S. Route 70B through Hot Springs, Arkansas. From Gulpha Gorge to Memorial Field Airport, explore this scenic business loop that connects highways, neighborhoods, and the edge of Hot Springs National Park.
U.S. Route 70: Crossville to Rockwood – Tennessee
Take a scenic drive along historic U.S. Route 70 from Crossville to Rockwood, Tennessee. This 24-mile route winds through farmland, forested ridges, and charming communities along the Cumberland Plateau — offering a relaxed alternative to I-40 with stops like Ozone Fa…
U.S. Highway 70: Lonoke to Brinkley – Arkansas
Cruise U.S. Highway 70 from Lonoke to Brinkley for 44 miles of classic Arkansas prairie scenery, charming small towns, legendary pie shops, and historic river crossings. This route serves up everything from endless farmland and wildlife to rough-and-ready pavement—off…
U.S. Highway 70: Benton to Hot Springs – Arkansas
Cruise 19 miles west on U.S. Highway 70 from Benton to Hot Springs, Arkansas, passing local spurs, wooded hills, and easy access to state parks before arriving in this historic spa town.
U.S. Highway 70: Lakeland to Memphis – Tennessee
Cruise U.S. Highway 70 for 13 miles from Lakeland into the heart of Memphis, Tennessee. Experience suburban Bartlett, the bustling Wolfchase area, and the vintage charm of Summer Avenue, all the way to the I-40 interchange.
U.S. Highway 70: Jackson to Brownsville – Tennessee
Cruise west from Jackson to Brownsville along U.S. Highway 70 through Tennessee’s farmland and small towns, with a smooth bypass skirting Brownsville’s historic core.
U.S. Highway 70: Bruceton to Jackson – Tennessee
Cruise 40 miles along U.S. Highway 70 from Bruceton to Jackson, Tennessee — a classic stretch of the historic Broadway of America, passing farmland, small towns, and local recreation spots before connecting to I-40.