U.S. Route 64 in Arkansas
Encyclopedia
U.S. Route 64 is a U.S. highway running from Teec Nos Pos, Arizona
east to Nags Head, North Carolina
. In the U.S. state
of Arkansas
, the route runs 246.35 miles (396.5 km) from the Oklahoma
border in Fort Smith
east to the Tennessee
border in Memphis. The route passes through several cities and towns, including Fort Smith
, Clarksville
, Russellville
, Conway
, Searcy
, and West Memphis
. US 64 runs parallel to Interstate 40 until Conway, when I-40 takes a more southerly route.
US 64 crosses Arkansas' western border over the Arkansas River
, heading southeast into downtown Ft. Smith. Upon entry to Arkansas
, the highway passes the Fort Smith National Historic Site
, Ft. Smith Confederate Monument, Commercial Hotel
and the West Garrison Avenue Historic District, all on the National Register of Historic Places
. The highway turns northwest near the New Theatre, following the Arkansas and Missouri Railroad
and concurring with US 71 Business onto 10th and 11th Streets. Westbound traffic runs on 10th St and eastbound traffic on 11th St past the Fort Smith Masonic Temple
. Traffic converges onto Midland Boulevard. US 64 crosses the Arkansas River again near the American Doughboy Monument as it enters Van Buren
on Broadway. US 64 passes the Van Buren Post Office before turning east onto Main Street, then northeast again becoming the Alma Highway. US 64 passes a former alignment, now designated as Oak St. After Oak St, US 64 crosses I-540
and continues east to Alma
. US 64 closely follows Interstate 40
until Conway
, while also closely following the Arkansas River
, the Union Pacific Railroad
, and the southern edge of the Ozark National Forest.
US 64 continues through mountainous Franklin County, intersecting the Pig Trail Scenic Byway
in Ozark
. The route passes the Franklin County Courthouse, and the Ozark Courthouse Square Historic District in Ozark before exiting town continuing east. Route 64 passes a historically significant connector road in Wiederkehr Village
before entering Altus
and entering Johnson County. US 64 runs through Coal Hill
and Hartman
before curving northeast and crossing over I-40. The route continues to Clarksville
, home of the University of the Ozarks
. The route passes the Johnson County Courthouse, historic American Legion Hut
, Clarksville Municipal Airport
, and Lake Dardanelle before again crossing over I-40 and entering Pope County.
US 64 then parallels Interstate 40
, through, Russellville, and Morrilton. It briefly converges with U.S. Route 65 Business through Conway
heading south before diverging from US 65 Business and Interstate 40 by turning east onto Oak Street. US 64 then travels east to Beebe
where it originally entered town via Center Street and joined with US 67
and US 167
. This former route has since been resigned Arkansas Highway 367, as all three US highways have been relocated to a concurrent divided highway northwest of Beebe.
US 64 runs along this divided highway past Searcy
where its original route took it north along Main Street, then east along Race Avenue. This former route is now signed US 67 Business. Later, US 64, 67, and 167 were rerouted southeast of Searcy along Eastline Road, which is now signed Arkansas Highway 367. Currently, all three highways continue to run northeast along a divided highway running parallel to Eastline Road.
US 64 diverges from US 67 & 167 on the northeast side of Bald Knob
where its former route took it downtown along Highway Avenue, which is now signed Arkansas Highway 367. US 64 turns east, while the divided US 67 diverges northeast, and US 167 diverges north.
US 64 continues east through Augusta
and McCrory
bypassing Wynne
through Earle
and Crawfordsville
until joining with Interstate 55
at Marion
. Its former route continued east along Military Road, turning south onto the Great River Road, and converging with US 63, which has since also been rerouted along Interstate 55. The former route is signed Arkansas Highway 77
.
US 64 continues south to West Memphis, where its former route entered the town from the north via Missouri Street, turning east (diverging from US 63 while converging with US 70 & 79) onto Broadway. Its current route turns east north of West Memphis as Interstates 55 and 40 briefly converge, before entering Tennessee (and downtown Memphis) along the Interstate 55 bridge.
Each August, a large yard sale similar to the Highway 127 Corridor Sale
takes place along 160 mi (257.5 km) of US 64 in Arkansas.
Teec Nos Pos, Arizona
Teec Nos Pos is a census-designated place in Apache County, Arizona, United States. The population was 799 at the 2000 census. The Navajo name of this community translates as "cottonwoods in a Circle". It is the western terminus of U.S...
east to Nags Head, North Carolina
Nags Head, North Carolina
Nags Head is a town in Dare County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 2,700 at the 2000 census.-History:Early maps of the area show Nags Head as a promontory of land characterized by high sand dunes visible from miles at sea...
. In the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
, the route runs 246.35 miles (396.5 km) from the Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
border in Fort Smith
Fort Smith, Arkansas
Fort Smith is the second-largest city in Arkansas and one of the two county seats of Sebastian County. With a population of 86,209 in 2010, it is the principal city of the Fort Smith, Arkansas-Oklahoma Metropolitan Statistical Area, a region of 298,592 residents which encompasses the Arkansas...
east to the Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
border in Memphis. The route passes through several cities and towns, including Fort Smith
Fort Smith, Arkansas
Fort Smith is the second-largest city in Arkansas and one of the two county seats of Sebastian County. With a population of 86,209 in 2010, it is the principal city of the Fort Smith, Arkansas-Oklahoma Metropolitan Statistical Area, a region of 298,592 residents which encompasses the Arkansas...
, Clarksville
Clarksville, Arkansas
Clarksville is a city in Johnson County, Arkansas, United States. The population was approximately 9,300 at the 2010 census. The city is the county seat of Johnson County.. Clarksville is nestled between the Arkansas River and the foot hills of the Ozark Mountains and Interstate 40 and US Hwy 64...
, Russellville
Russellville, Arkansas
Russellville is the county seat and largest city in Pope County, Arkansas, United States, with a population of 27,920, according to the 2010 Census. It is home to Arkansas Tech University and Arkansas Nuclear One, Arkansas' only nuclear power plant...
, Conway
Conway, Arkansas
Conway is the county seat of Faulkner County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 58,908 at the 2010 census, making Conway the seventh most populous city in Arkansas. It is a principal city of the Little Rock–North Little Rock–Conway Metropolitan Statistical Area which had...
, Searcy
Searcy, Arkansas
Searcy is the largest city and county seat of White County, Arkansas, United States. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 20,663. It is the principal city of the Searcy, AR Micropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses all of White County...
, and West Memphis
West Memphis, Arkansas
West Memphis is the largest city in Crittenden County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 27,666 at the 2000 census, with an estimated population of 28,181 in 2005, and 31,329 in 2011 ranking it as the state's 11th largest city, behind Hot Springs...
. US 64 runs parallel to Interstate 40 until Conway, when I-40 takes a more southerly route.
Route description
Arkansas River
The Arkansas River is a major tributary of the Mississippi River. The Arkansas generally flows to the east and southeast as it traverses the U.S. states of Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. The river's initial basin starts in the Western United States in Colorado, specifically the Arkansas...
, heading southeast into downtown Ft. Smith. Upon entry to Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
, the highway passes the Fort Smith National Historic Site
Fort Smith National Historic Site
Fort Smith National Historic Site is a United States National Historic Site located primarily in Fort Smith, Arkansas along the Arkansas River, and also along the opposite bank of the river near Moffett, Oklahoma....
, Ft. Smith Confederate Monument, Commercial Hotel
Commercial Hotel (Fort Smith, Arkansas)
Commercial Hotel, also known as River Front Hotel, was built in 1898 in a simplified variation of the Second Empire style. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973....
and the West Garrison Avenue Historic District, all on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
. The highway turns northwest near the New Theatre, following the Arkansas and Missouri Railroad
Arkansas and Missouri Railroad
The Arkansas and Missouri Railroad is a short-line railroad headquartered in Springdale, Arkansas.The A & M, as it is known, operates of line from Fort Smith, Arkansas to Monett, Missouri. The railroad interchanges freight cars with Kansas City Southern Railway at Fort Smith, with Union Pacific...
and concurring with US 71 Business onto 10th and 11th Streets. Westbound traffic runs on 10th St and eastbound traffic on 11th St past the Fort Smith Masonic Temple
Fort Smith Masonic Temple
The Fort Smith Masonic Temple is a building that includes Art Deco, Exotic Revival architecture, and Egyptian Revival architecture. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992....
. Traffic converges onto Midland Boulevard. US 64 crosses the Arkansas River again near the American Doughboy Monument as it enters Van Buren
Van Buren, Arkansas
Van Buren is the second largest city in the Fort Smith, Arkansas-Oklahoma Metropolitan Statistical Area and the county seat of Crawford County, Arkansas, United States. The city is located directly northeast of Fort Smith at the Interstate 40 - Interstate 540 junction...
on Broadway. US 64 passes the Van Buren Post Office before turning east onto Main Street, then northeast again becoming the Alma Highway. US 64 passes a former alignment, now designated as Oak St. After Oak St, US 64 crosses I-540
Interstate 540 (Arkansas)
Interstate 540 in Arkansas is a spur of Interstate 40 between Fort Smith and Northwest Arkansas; the Northwest Arkansas segment is proposed to become part of an expanded Interstate 49. I-540 provides an Interstate Highway path between Fayetteville and Little Rock via Interstate 40. This links the...
and continues east to Alma
Alma, Arkansas
Alma is a city in Crawford County located in the western part of U.S. state of Arkansas, along I-40 about 13 miles from the Oklahoma border. Alma's population is 4,734, making it the sixth largest city in the Fort Smith, Arkansas-Oklahoma Metropolitan Statistical Area...
. US 64 closely follows Interstate 40
Interstate 40
Interstate 40 is the third-longest major east–west Interstate Highway in the United States, after I-90 and I-80. Its western end is at Interstate 15 in Barstow, California; its eastern end is at a concurrency of U.S. Route 117 and North Carolina Highway 132 in Wilmington, North Carolina...
until Conway
Conway, Arkansas
Conway is the county seat of Faulkner County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 58,908 at the 2010 census, making Conway the seventh most populous city in Arkansas. It is a principal city of the Little Rock–North Little Rock–Conway Metropolitan Statistical Area which had...
, while also closely following the Arkansas River
Arkansas River
The Arkansas River is a major tributary of the Mississippi River. The Arkansas generally flows to the east and southeast as it traverses the U.S. states of Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. The river's initial basin starts in the Western United States in Colorado, specifically the Arkansas...
, the Union Pacific Railroad
Union Pacific Railroad
The Union Pacific Railroad , headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, is the largest railroad network in the United States. James R. Young is president, CEO and Chairman....
, and the southern edge of the Ozark National Forest.
US 64 continues through mountainous Franklin County, intersecting the Pig Trail Scenic Byway
Arkansas Highway 23
Arkansas Highway 23 is a north–south state highway in north Arkansas. The route runs from US 71 near Elm Park north to the Missouri state line through Ozark and Eureka Springs. Between AR 16 at Brashears and Interstate 40 north of Ozark , Highway 23 winds through the Ozark National Forest and is...
in Ozark
Ozark, Arkansas
Ozark is a city in Franklin County, Arkansas, United States, and one of the two county seats of Franklin County. It is part of the Fort Smith, Arkansas-Oklahoma Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 3,525 at the 2000 census, making Ozark the ninth largest municipality in the metro area...
. The route passes the Franklin County Courthouse, and the Ozark Courthouse Square Historic District in Ozark before exiting town continuing east. Route 64 passes a historically significant connector road in Wiederkehr Village
Wiederkehr Village, Arkansas
Wiederkehr Village is a city in Franklin County, Arkansas, United States. It is part of the Fort Smith, Arkansas-Oklahoma Metropolitan Statistical Area...
before entering Altus
Altus, Arkansas
Altus is a town in Franklin County, Arkansas, United States. It is part of the Fort Smith, Arkansas-Oklahoma Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 817 at the 2000 census. When the Iron Mountain Railroad laid rails up the Arkansas River Valley in the 1870s from Little Rock to the...
and entering Johnson County. US 64 runs through Coal Hill
Coal Hill, Arkansas
Coal Hill is a city in Johnson County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 1,001 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Coal Hill is located at ....
and Hartman
Hartman, Arkansas
Hartman is a city in Johnson County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 596 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Hartman is located at ....
before curving northeast and crossing over I-40. The route continues to Clarksville
Clarksville, Arkansas
Clarksville is a city in Johnson County, Arkansas, United States. The population was approximately 9,300 at the 2010 census. The city is the county seat of Johnson County.. Clarksville is nestled between the Arkansas River and the foot hills of the Ozark Mountains and Interstate 40 and US Hwy 64...
, home of the University of the Ozarks
University of the Ozarks
The University of the Ozarks is a private, four-year liberal arts, comprehensive university located in Clarksville, Arkansas, a community of just over 9,000 people and the county seat of Johnson County. U of O is located at the foot of the Ozark Mountains, about west of Little Rock...
. The route passes the Johnson County Courthouse, historic American Legion Hut
Bunch-Walton Post No. 22 American Legion Hut
The Bunch-Walton Post No. 22 American Legion Hut in Clarksville, Arkansas was built in 1934. It features Normanesque architecture. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2007....
, Clarksville Municipal Airport
Clarksville Municipal Airport
Clarksville Municipal Airport is a public-use airport located three nautical miles east of the central business district of Clarksville, in Johnson County, Arkansas, United States...
, and Lake Dardanelle before again crossing over I-40 and entering Pope County.
US 64 then parallels Interstate 40
Interstate 40
Interstate 40 is the third-longest major east–west Interstate Highway in the United States, after I-90 and I-80. Its western end is at Interstate 15 in Barstow, California; its eastern end is at a concurrency of U.S. Route 117 and North Carolina Highway 132 in Wilmington, North Carolina...
, through, Russellville, and Morrilton. It briefly converges with U.S. Route 65 Business through Conway
Conway, Arkansas
Conway is the county seat of Faulkner County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 58,908 at the 2010 census, making Conway the seventh most populous city in Arkansas. It is a principal city of the Little Rock–North Little Rock–Conway Metropolitan Statistical Area which had...
heading south before diverging from US 65 Business and Interstate 40 by turning east onto Oak Street. US 64 then travels east to Beebe
Beebe, Arkansas
Beebe, Arkansas is a city in White County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 4,930 at the 2000 census, making it the second most populous in the county after Searcy. The city is home to a branch campus of Jonesboro-based Arkansas State University. It was named for Roswell Beebe, a...
where it originally entered town via Center Street and joined with US 67
U.S. Route 67 in Arkansas
U.S. Route 67 in Arkansas runs from Texarkana to the Missouri state line in Northeastern Arkansas.-Route description:U.S. Route 67 runs parallel to Interstate 30 from Texarkana to Benton, where it then runs concurrent with I-30 to North Little Rock. It then runs east, concurrent with I-40, for...
and US 167
U.S. Route 167
U.S. Route 167 runs for 499 miles from Ash Flat, Arkansas at U.S. Route 62 to Abbeville, Louisiana at Louisiana Highway 14. It goes through the cities of Little Rock, Arkansas, Alexandria, Louisiana, and Lafayette, Louisiana....
. This former route has since been resigned Arkansas Highway 367, as all three US highways have been relocated to a concurrent divided highway northwest of Beebe.
US 64 runs along this divided highway past Searcy
Searcy, Arkansas
Searcy is the largest city and county seat of White County, Arkansas, United States. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 20,663. It is the principal city of the Searcy, AR Micropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses all of White County...
where its original route took it north along Main Street, then east along Race Avenue. This former route is now signed US 67 Business. Later, US 64, 67, and 167 were rerouted southeast of Searcy along Eastline Road, which is now signed Arkansas Highway 367. Currently, all three highways continue to run northeast along a divided highway running parallel to Eastline Road.
US 64 diverges from US 67 & 167 on the northeast side of Bald Knob
Bald Knob, Arkansas
Bald Knob is a city in White County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 3,210 at the 2000 census. Located at the intersection of two of the state's natural regions, Bald Knob is often promoted as "where the Ozarks meet the Delta". Bald Knob is also a leading strawberry producer in the...
where its former route took it downtown along Highway Avenue, which is now signed Arkansas Highway 367. US 64 turns east, while the divided US 67 diverges northeast, and US 167 diverges north.
US 64 continues east through Augusta
Augusta, Arkansas
Augusta is a city in Woodruff County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 2,693 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Woodruff County.-Geography:Augusta is located at ....
and McCrory
McCrory, Arkansas
McCrory is a city in Woodruff County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 1,850 at the 2000 census.-Geography:McCrory is located at ....
bypassing Wynne
Wynne, Arkansas
Wynne is the county seat and largest city of Cross County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 8,615 at the 2000 Census. Nestled between the Arkansas Delta and Crowley's Ridge, Wynne is home to the largest state park in Arkansas, Village Creek State Park.-Geography:Wynne lies at , the...
through Earle
Earle, Arkansas
Earle is a city in Crittenden County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 3,036 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Earle is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land....
and Crawfordsville
Crawfordsville, Arkansas
Crawfordsville, historically Crawfordville, is a town in Crittenden County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 514 at the 2000 census.Late R&B singer Johnnie Taylor was born in Crawfordsville.-Geography:...
until joining with Interstate 55
Interstate 55
Interstate 55 is an Interstate Highway in the central United States. Its odd number indicates that it is a north–south Interstate Highway. I-55 goes from LaPlace, Louisiana at Interstate 10 to Chicago at U.S. Route 41 , at McCormick Place. A common nickname for the highway is "double...
at Marion
Marion, Arkansas
Marion is a city in Crittenden County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 8,901 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Crittenden County, and is part of the Memphis metropolitan area...
. Its former route continued east along Military Road, turning south onto the Great River Road, and converging with US 63, which has since also been rerouted along Interstate 55. The former route is signed Arkansas Highway 77
Arkansas Highway 77
Arkansas Highway 77 is a north–south state highway in East Arkansas. The route of runs from US 70 in West Memphis north along Interstate 55 to the Missouri state line.-Route description:...
.
US 64 continues south to West Memphis, where its former route entered the town from the north via Missouri Street, turning east (diverging from US 63 while converging with US 70 & 79) onto Broadway. Its current route turns east north of West Memphis as Interstates 55 and 40 briefly converge, before entering Tennessee (and downtown Memphis) along the Interstate 55 bridge.
Each August, a large yard sale similar to the Highway 127 Corridor Sale
Highway 127 Corridor Sale
The Highway 127 Corridor Sale is an outdoor second-hand sale held annually for four days beginning the first Thursday in August along U.S. Route 127. The event has been promoted as "The World's Longest Yard Sale."...
takes place along 160 mi (257.5 km) of US 64 in Arkansas.