Drive 10 miles along Tennessee Route 89 from Trimble to Kenton through the farmland of northwest Tennessee. Explore quiet towns, rural landscapes, and the relaxed pace of life that defines this corner of the Volunteer State.
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 9: Crows to Morrilton
Follow Arkansas Highway 9 for 46 miles from Crows to Morrilton, passing through Paron, Perryville, and the Arkansas River Valley with access to Petit Jean State Park along the way.
Mississippi Highway 315: Sardis to Oxford
Discover the scenic 5-mile drive along Mississippi Highway 315 from Sardis to Oxford. Pass beneath the massive Sardis Dam, wind through wooded hills and farmland, and finish at the gateway to Oxford’s cultural and university life.
Arkansas Highway 229: Benton to Haskell
Take a short drive along Arkansas Highway 229 from Benton to Haskell, a two-mile stretch of old U.S. 67 that blends small-town character with the history of Arkansas’s highway network.
Arkansas Highway 74: Winslow to Devil’s Den State Park
Take a scenic drive along Arkansas Highway 74 from Winslow to Devil’s Den State Park, a winding Ozark backroad filled with forested ridges, tight curves, and stunning views that lead into one of Arkansas’s most iconic parks.
Arkansas Highway 23: Brashears to Huntsville
Travel Arkansas Highway 23 from Brashears to Huntsville, winding through the Ozark Highlands with forested ridges, rolling valleys, and the scenic entrance to Withrow Springs State Park.
Arkansas Highway 5: Little Rock to Benton
Follow Arkansas Highway 5 from Little Rock to Benton along the historic Stagecoach corridor. Explore 13 miles of suburban neighborhoods, wooded stretches, and local landmarks, including the Geographic Center of Arkansas.
Oklahoma Highway 351: Muskogee Turnpike from Tulsa to Webbers Falls
Drive the full length of Oklahoma Highway 351 along the Muskogee Turnpike from Tulsa to Webbers Falls. Explore this tolled expressway’s blend of rural scenery, efficient design, and vital interstate connections.
Arkansas Highway 365: Little Rock to White Hall
Travel 26 miles along Arkansas Highway 365 from Little Rock to White Hall, a historic former U.S. 65 alignment that parallels I-530 through rail towns, farmland, pine forest, and Central Arkansas history.
Arizona Route 66: Seligman to Kingman
Drive the historic and scenic Arizona State Route 66 from Seligman to Kingman. This iconic segment of Historic U.S. Route 66 travels through desert plains, ghost towns, and tribal lands, showcasing classic Americana and the rugged beauty of Arizona’s high desert.
California Route 2: West Hollywood to Santa Monica — Los Angeles County Drive
Explore a dynamic stretch of California Route 2 through Los Angeles—from the boutiques of Beverly Hills to the breezy streets of Santa Monica. Discover urban contrasts, historic Route 66 traces, and Westside charm along Santa Monica Boulevard.
Arkansas Highway 59: Van Buren to Siloam Springs
Explore Arkansas Highway 59 from Van Buren to Siloam Springs—a 58-mile rural route through the Mountain Fork Valley, small towns, forested hills, and peaceful farmland in western Arkansas.