Explore U.S. Route 72, a major east–west highway running from Memphis to Chattanooga through northern Mississippi and Alabama. Learn about its history, key cities, and scenic routes.
U.S. Route 72 (US 72) is a significant east–west highway stretching across the southeastern United States, primarily serving Tennessee, Mississippi, and Alabama. It begins in the city of Memphis, Tennessee, and travels eastward through northern Mississippi and Alabama, eventually reaching its eastern terminus in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Along the way, it closely follows key geographic features like the Tennessee River and often parallels or overlaps with major rail corridors, making it a vital route historically and economically.
In Alabama, US 72 passes through several important cities, including Florence, Athens, and Huntsville, one of the region’s fastest-growing metropolitan areas. In Huntsville, the route becomes a major arterial road known locally for its commercial and defense-related industries. This portion of the highway also includes scenic stretches, especially through the Appalachian foothills and across the Tennessee River. Many sections of the route have been upgraded to expressway or four-lane divided highway standards to support modern traffic demands.
US 72 holds historical significance as well, running parallel to parts of the Trail of Tears and serving as a key corridor during westward expansion and Civil War troop movements. Today, it remains a vital transportation link connecting smaller towns to major urban centers and interstate routes such as I-65 and I-24, continuing to play a role in regional development and travel.
Drive 65 miles west on U.S. Route 72 from Corinth, Mississippi to Collierville, Tennessee, passing farmland, rural communities, and the expanding suburbs of the Memphis metro. A smooth four-lane corridor connecting the Tennessee Valley to the edge of the city.
Travel 54 miles west on U.S. Route 72 from Tuscumbia, Alabama, to Corinth, Mississippi. This scenic route winds through rural countryside, past the Natchez Trace Parkway, and into a town rich with Civil War history. Ideal for relaxed drives and road trip enthusiasts ali…
Take a short but scenic drive across the Tennessee River as we follow U.S. Route 72 from downtown Florence to Sheffield, Alabama—passing through a region rich in music history and Southern charm.
Take a scenic 6-mile drive along U.S. Route 72 from Tuscumbia to Florence, Alabama, crossing the Tennessee River and passing through the heart of the Muscle Shoals region—rich with music history and Southern charm.
Take a scenic drive along U.S. Route 72 from Cherokee to Tuscumbia, Alabama. This 24-mile route winds through Barton and past AL-247, ending at US-43 in historic Tuscumbia. Explore the quiet beauty and local heritage of northwest Alabama.