Join us as we cruise for about 7 miles down U.S. Highway 71B — better known locally as College Avenue and Archibald Yell Boulevard — taking in a slice of Fayetteville life from the commercial strip up north all the way to where it rejoins U.S. Highway 71 just south of town. This drive gives us a front-row seat to the city’s mix of modern retail, old-school businesses, college-town bustle, and neighborhood hangouts, all stitched together by this classic Arkansas business route.
We kick off our drive near Joyce Boulevard, right by the northern retail corridor where big box stores, chain restaurants, and strip malls line both sides of College Avenue. Within moments, we’re passing the Fullbright Expressway, which connects commuters quickly to Interstate 49. If you need a quick detour, this interchange is your gateway to northwest Arkansas’ major cities like Springdale, Rogers, and Bentonville. But we’re sticking with 71B today, and as we roll south, the commercial buzz continues with local diners, auto shops, and the occasional roadside sign that hasn’t changed since the ’80s. Intersections like Rolling Hills Drive and Township Street keep the local traffic lively, so watch for cross streets and the ever-present Fayetteville pedestrians.
About midway through our southbound run, the scenery shifts from pure retail to a blend of neighborhood and institution. At North Street, we pass the VA Medical Center and the UAMS Northwest campus — a testament to Fayetteville’s status as a regional healthcare hub. Just beyond, College Avenue edges into the heart of downtown Fayetteville, skirting the east side of the University of Arkansas. You’ll catch glimpses of student apartments, stately old houses, and campus landmarks peeking through the side streets. As we approach Dickson Street — the city’s famous nightlife and entertainment district — the road splits off as Archibald Yell Boulevard, winding gently downhill. This stretch offers a quick descent with a view of the older neighborhoods to the west.
At the base of the hill, Archibald Yell merges into School Avenue. From here, we continue south past Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard — a busy crossroads packed with fast food joints and gas stations. It’s a well-traveled junction for anyone heading to Walker Park, which we pass next on our left. This community park is a popular stop for a break, with sports fields, walking trails, and shady spots for a picnic if you want to pause your drive. Further south, we meet the intersection with Arkansas Highway 16 — locally known as 15th Street — a main east-west route through Fayetteville that connects to Lake Sequoyah and rural Washington County beyond the city limits.
Past AR-16, our path down School Avenue shifts into a quieter zone, where older commercial lots and small businesses dot the roadside. It’s a reminder that this route once carried all the U.S. 71 traffic before the bypass and expressway made things quicker for through travelers. As we near the end of our journey, the business route wraps up just past the southern edge of Fayetteville, reconnecting with the main U.S. Highway 71. From here, you can keep heading south into the rolling Ozarks, maybe even on to Winslow or beyond if the road is calling. Either way, U.S. Highway 71B remains Fayetteville’s living main street — part bypassed relic, part modern artery, and always a reliable slice of local life.
🗺️ Route Map
0 Comments