U.S. Route 63 in Arkansas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
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| Route information | ||||
| Maintained by AHTD | ||||
| Major junctions | ||||
| South end |   US 63 / US 167 in Junction City at Louisiana state line |
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| North end | US 63 in Mammoth Spring at Missouri state line |
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| Counties: | Union, Bradley, Cleveland, Jefferson, Arkansas, Prairie, Monroe, St. Francis, Crittenden, Poinsett, Craighead, Greene, Lawrence, Sharp, Fulton | |||
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| United States Numbered Highways List • Bannered • Divided • Replaced Arkansas Highway System
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U.S. Route 63 (US 63) is a major highway that runs north and south through the United States. It starts in Ruston, Louisiana. When it enters Arkansas, it joins with US 167 in Junction City. This highway winds its way through Arkansas, passing through big cities like Pine Bluff, West Memphis, and Jonesboro. Finally, US 63 leaves Arkansas at Mammoth Spring and continues into Missouri.
US 63 often shares parts of its path with other highways in Arkansas. This includes major interstates like I-40 and I-55. A section of US 63 between Turrell and Jonesboro even became part of I-555 when a freeway was built.
Contents
Exploring U.S. Route 63 in Arkansas
Journey Through Arkansas
US 63 begins its journey in Arkansas by entering from Louisiana. It travels with US 167 near Junction City. For a few miles, these two highways run along the eastern side of El Dorado as a fast expressway. Then, US 167 turns off to go towards Hampton.
US 63 goes around the town of Warren. It crosses US 270 there. The highway then passes through the countryside of Cleveland County before reaching Jefferson County.
Pine Bluff and Eastern Arkansas
In Jefferson County, US 63 serves the city of Pine Bluff. US 63 goes around the city, using the last three miles of I-530. In Pine Bluff, US 63 also joins up with US 65 and US 79.
US 63 continues northeast with US 79 until it reaches Stuttgart. From there, the highway heads north to Hazen. Just north of Hazen, US 63 joins I-40 all the way to West Memphis. In West Memphis, US 63 travels north alongside I-55.
Heading North to Jonesboro
US 63 stays with I-55 until Turrell. Here, it leaves I-55 and joins I-555 instead. This shared route continues until they reach Jonesboro, where I-555 ends. US 49 also joins these two roads for a short distance in the middle of Jonesboro. US 63 and I-555 act as a bypass around the southern part of Jonesboro.
In Hoxie, US 63 crosses US 67. This part of US 67 will become I-57 in the future. Northwest of Hoxie, near Portia, US 63 also shares the road with US 412.
Final Stretch to Missouri
In Imboden, US 62 joins the highway, making it three routes together. When US 63 reaches Hardy, it leaves US 62 and US 412. Finally, in Mammoth Spring, US 63 crosses the state line into Missouri. It then continues its journey towards West Plains.
A Look Back: History of US 63
Some parts of US 63 in northern Arkansas have a long history. They were originally part of roads built by the Ozark Trails Association in the 1910s. A road was planned between Mammoth Spring and Memphis, Tennessee. It was built around 1918-1922. This road was first called Highway A-7, and later became US 63.
Some of the original parts of this old road are still around today. They survived the big Mississippi flood of 1927. They also survived when US 63 was changed in 1967. For example, northwest of Tyronza, there's about 1.25 miles of the original concrete road. This old section was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2009.
Four old bridges built in the 1920s are also on the National Register. Three of them are southeast of Marked Tree. One is southeast of Tyronza. These bridges are important parts of the highway's history.
Important Road Connections
Here are some of the main roads that US 63 connects with in Arkansas:
- In Junction City, US 63 enters Arkansas from Louisiana with US 167.
- Near El Dorado, US 63 connects with US 82.
- In Warren, it crosses US 278.
- In Pine Bluff, US 63 meets I-530, US 65, and US 79.
- In Stuttgart, US 63 separates from US 79.
- Near Hazen, US 63 joins US 70 and then I-40.
- In West Memphis, US 63 connects with I-55 and US 64.
- At Turrell, US 63 leaves I-55 and starts sharing its path with I-555.
- In Jonesboro, US 63 meets US 49. This is also where I-555 ends.
- In Hoxie, US 63 crosses US 67.
- Near Walnut Ridge, US 63 joins US 412.
- In Imboden, US 62 also joins US 63 and US 412.
- In Hardy, US 63 separates from US 62 and US 412.
- Finally, in Mammoth Spring, US 63 crosses into Missouri.
