State Highways

Explore America's diverse network of state highways—regional routes managed by individual states that connect towns, cities, parks, and scenic landscapes.

State highways form the backbone of regional travel across the United States, offering essential connections between cities, rural communities, and major national routes. Managed by individual state departments of transportation, these highways vary widely in scale—from narrow rural byways to multi-lane expressways rivaling interstates in traffic and speed. While numbering systems and signage conventions differ from state to state, each network plays a critical role in local mobility and economic development.

Unlike the federally designated Interstate and U.S. Highway systems, state highways are developed and maintained at the state level, giving them a unique character and flexibility. Some follow historic paths and scenic corridors, while others serve as modern commuter routes or urban spurs. Many are vital links to state parks, natural attractions, and lesser-known destinations that don't fall within the national systems.

On this site, we highlight a growing collection of notable state highways, organized by region and state. Whether you're tracing a scenic loop through the mountains, navigating a fast-moving corridor through a metro area, or exploring forgotten rural routes, our guides offer detailed overviews, and video journeys to help you plan your next adventure.

State Highway vs Route vs Road...

State Departments of Transportation use different terminology for their designated road systems, with some states using "state highway," others "state road," and still others "state route." These distinctions, though seemingly minor, often reflect historical and legislative traditions within each state. The choice of a particular term can be tied to the legal language used when the road network was first established or expanded. For example, a state might have initially defined its network as a "system of highways" for commerce and travel, while another may have focused on creating a "system of roads" for local and inter-city connections. The term "state route" is often a more modern designation that emphasizes a specific numbered path for navigation rather than the physical characteristics or purpose of the road itself. While the exact reasoning for each state's choice is complex and rooted in its unique history, the map on the right provides a visual guide to which term is used where.

Explore State Routes

Arkansas Highway 46: Redfield to Sheridan

Arkansas Highway 46: Redfield to Sheridan

A first-person drive on Arkansas Highway 46 from Redfield to Sheridan: 16 miles of Piney Woods, gentle curves, rural homesteads, and a smooth two-lane connector between AR 365/I-530 and US 270—with local history and small-town context along the way.

Arkansas Highway 16: Greers Ferry to Heber Springs

Arkansas Highway 16: Greers Ferry to Heber Springs

Cruise Arkansas Highway 16 from Greers Ferry to Heber Springs—a 22-mile lake-to-town drive of wooded ridgelines, fleeting Greers Ferry Lake views, and a welcoming finish near the Little Red River. Highlights include Devils Fork Recreation Area, Heber Springs’ trout-rich tailwater, and a smooth two-lane rhythm ideal for an unhurried pace.

Arkansas Highway 16: Clinton to Greers Ferry

Arkansas Highway 16: Clinton to Greers Ferry

Drive 22 scenic miles on Arkansas Highway 16 from US-65 in Clinton to Devils Fork Recreation Area at Greers Ferry Lake. Follow a first-person travelogue through Ozark ridges, pine-hardwood forest, and lake-view curves—with local tips and an interactive map.

Arkansas Highway 95: Cleveland to Clinton

Arkansas Highway 95: Cleveland to Clinton

Drive 24 miles on Arkansas Highway 95 from the AR-124 junction south of Cleveland to US-65B in Clinton. Enjoy Ozark-foothill scenery, rolling ridges, creek crossings, and rural communities on a smooth, two-lane route through Conway and Van Buren counties.

Arkansas Highway 124: Center Ridge to Cleveland

Arkansas Highway 124: Center Ridge to Cleveland

Cruise west along Arkansas Highway 124 from Center Ridge to Cleveland — a peaceful 11-mile drive through the wooded hills and farmland of Conway County, Arkansas, showcasing the timeless beauty of rural Ozark foothills.

Alabama Route 20: Stewartsville to Florence

Alabama Route 20: Stewartsville to Florence

Experience a peaceful 14-mile drive along Alabama Route 20 from Stewartsville to Florence, moving from wooded Natchez Trace landscapes to rolling farmland and the busy urban gateway of the Shoals. A short but scenic look at the Tennessee Valley’s changing terrain.

Arkansas Highway 25: Quitman to Greenbrier

Arkansas Highway 25: Quitman to Greenbrier

Experience the rolling foothills of central Arkansas on this 14-mile drive along Arkansas Highway 25 from Quitman to Greenbrier. Travel through farmland, wooded ridges, and the small towns of Enders and Guy before reaching U.S. 65 in Greenbrier.

Arkansas Highway 128: Fountain Lake to Lonsdale

Arkansas Highway 128: Fountain Lake to Lonsdale

Discover the quiet charm of Arkansas Highway 128, a short connector from Fountain Lake to Lonsdale. This rural drive winds through wooded ridges and farmland, linking Garland and Saline Counties while offering a peaceful alternative to busier highways.

Arkansas Highway 5: Mountain View to Drasco

Arkansas Highway 5: Mountain View to Drasco

Explore Arkansas Highway 5 from Mountain View to Drasco — a 26-mile drive through Ozark foothills, farmland, and forest. Discover folk culture, quiet valleys, and timeless scenery along this winding Arkansas route.