U.S. Route 67 in Arkansas facts for kids
U.S. Route 67, often called US 67, is a long road that stretches across the United States. It starts in Presidio, Texas, and goes all the way northeast to Sabula, Iowa. In Arkansas, this important road covers about 279 miles (449 km). It begins at the Texas border near Texarkana and travels northeast until it reaches the Missouri border near Corning. Along its way through Arkansas, US 67 connects many interesting cities and towns like Hope, Benton, Little Rock, Jacksonville, Cabot, Beebe, Walnut Ridge, and Pocahontas. It's a vital path for travelers and goods across the state!
Quick facts for kids
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US 67 highlighted in red
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| Route information | ||||
| Maintained by AHTD | ||||
| Length | 279.15 mi (449.25 km) | |||
| Major junctions | ||||
| South end |   US 67 / US 82 at the Texas state line |
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| North end | US 67 at the Missouri state line |
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| Location | ||||
| Counties: | Miller, Hempstead, Nevada, Clark, Hot Spring, Saline, Pulaski, Lonoke, White, Jackson, Craighead, Lawrence, Randolph, Clay | |||
| Highway system | ||||
| United States Numbered Highways List • Bannered • Divided • Replaced Arkansas Highway System
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Exploring U.S. Route 67 in Arkansas
US 67 starts its journey in Arkansas from the Texas border in Texarkana. Here, it shares the road with US 82 for a short distance. Imagine two friends starting a trip together! They travel along 7th Street, which is a one-way road. After a bit, US 67 separates from US 82 and heads northeast on Broad Street. It crosses Interstate 49 and passes by the Texarkana Regional Airport.
As US 67 continues, it travels alongside I-30, almost like a parallel path. It goes through towns like Hope, Prescott, Arkadelphia, and Malvern. Near Benton, US 67 actually joins I-30. They become one road, traveling together all the way to Little Rock. In Little Rock, this busy freeway also picks up US 65 and US 167.
In North Little Rock, US 67 and US 167 turn east. They share the road with I-40 for about 2 miles (3.2 km). Then, they branch off to the northeast, now traveling with I-57.
Journey Through Northeast Arkansas
When the road reaches Beebe, these three routes are joined by US 64. So, for a while, four major roads are all traveling together! They eventually split up in Bald Knob. I-57 and US 67 continue as a modern freeway heading northeast.
Just past Walnut Ridge, where it crosses US 412, the I-57 part of the road ends. US 67 then becomes a five-lane highway, continuing north to Pocahontas. From Pocahontas, the road turns northeast and then east. Here, it becomes a two-lane highway and travels with US 62. Finally, in Corning, US 62 goes east, and US 67 turns north one last time before crossing into Missouri.
The History of US 67: A Road Through Time
This important path across Arkansas, running from southwest to northeast, has always been a key travel route. Before it became US 67, it was known as the Southwest Trail. This was an old military road from around 1803. The Southwest Trail helped connect St. Louis, Missouri to Texas. It even linked up with steamboat travel in Fulton, Arkansas. Many towns grew up along this trail, especially after a main railroad was built beside it.
From Trail to National Road
In 1831, President Andrew Jackson set aside money for this route. He officially named it a National Road. Even though the exact path changed a little over time, it always followed a natural dividing line. This line is between the Ozark Mountains, the Ouachita Mountains, and the flat lands of the Mississippi Alluvial Plain.
In the early 1900s, each county had to find its own money to fix roads. This made it hard to improve the route. But in the 1920s, the government started providing money. That's when this route officially became U.S. Route 67. It followed parts of older roads like the Lakes to Gulf Highway and the Bankhead Highway. With federal funding, the road was paved, helping the small towns along its path to grow.
Special Names for a Special Road
In 2009, Arkansas lawmakers gave a special name to part of US 67. The section from the Missouri state line to Jackson County was named "Rock n' Roll U.S. 67". This was a tribute to the many musicians from the 1950s and 1960s who traveled this road. It was hoped that this name would attract more visitors to northeast Arkansas. Another part of the route, along with Arkansas Highway 7 near Hope and Hot Springs, is called The Highway of Hope. This name honors its frequent use by former President Bill Clinton.
Preserving Old Roads: US 67's Historic Sections
Some parts of the original US 67, built in the late 1920s, are still around today! These special sections are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are important historical sites that we want to protect.
One such old section is in Lawrence County. It's about 11 miles (18 km) long. This part runs north from Alicia to Hoxie. It's often found between the modern US 67 and nearby railroad tracks.
Another historic piece, also about 11 miles (18 km) long, starts in Biggers. It goes northeast to Datto in Clay County. Then it continues straight north to a junction with Arkansas Highway 211.
Old US 67 in Mandeville
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Old US 67, Mandeville
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| Location | AR 296, CR 138, and southeast of the current U.S. Route 67 |
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| NRHP reference No. | 03001458 |
| Added to NRHP | January 21, 2004 |
A historic part of US 67 is kept safe in Miller County, Arkansas. It's called Old US 67, Mandeville. This section runs next to the Union Pacific Railroad tracks for about 5.5 miles (8.9 km). It starts north of the Texarkana Airport and goes northeast. This road was built in 1929 using concrete. It is the longest piece of the original US 67 pavement still existing in Miller County. This roadway was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2004.
The Future of US 67: Becoming Interstate 57
Arkansas has been working to make US 67 a modern interstate highway. This upgraded road is now part of Interstate 57. The freeway section of this route already stretched from Little Rock to Walnut Ridge.
Plans are actively underway to extend this new freeway from Walnut Ridge all the way to the Missouri state line. This new path generally runs southeast of the current US 67 highway. However, it will pass northwest of Corning. Construction for a short bypass around Corning began in 2024. A segment from the northern Corning interchange to the Missouri state line is planned for 2026. It is not yet known when the remaining parts between Walnut Ridge and Corning will be funded and built.
On November 7, 2024, the section of U.S. 67 between North Little Rock and Walnut Ridge, which had been updated to interstate standards, was officially named Interstate 57 by the Arkansas Department of Transportation.
Images for kids
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A preserved section of the original US 67 in Mandeville, built in 1929.
