U.S. Route 167: Batesville to Bald Knob – Arkansas

Cruising south through north-central Arkansas, U.S. Route 167 offers a smooth and steady 33-mile ride from the historic river town of Batesville to the transportation hub of Bald Knob. This stretch of highway serves as a key north-south connector in the region, blending together scenic Ozark foothills, small-town charm, and a few pockets of light industry along the way.

Our journey begins in Batesville at the intersection with Myers Avenue, just southeast of downtown. As we roll onto the four-lane divided highway, the route quickly takes us across the White River via a high, sweeping bridge—a fitting send-off from one of Arkansas’s oldest towns. Once across the river, we enter the city of Southside, a growing suburb of Batesville that hugs the ridgeline above the river valley. Here, US-167 passes a handful of gas stations, fast food chains, and local shops before reaching the Batesville Regional Airport, which sits just off the highway to the east.

Continuing through Southside, we pass through the town center, which has more of a community crossroads feel than a true downtown. The intersection with Arkansas Highway 14 Spur and AR-223 is notable—uncontrolled and often busy, it’s a spot where you’ll want to stay alert. From here, we leave Southside behind and settle into the rhythm of rural Arkansas driving.

About ten miles south, the highway brings us into Pleasant Plains. Despite its modest size, this community is a common stop for travelers thanks to a couple of locally-owned restaurants and a Dollar General near the highway. At the heart of town, AR-157 crosses US-167, offering a detour northeast toward Evening Shade and Cave City or southwest to West Point and Judsonia. South of Pleasant Plains, the road bends southeast for a bit, crossing gently rolling hills and farmland before reaching Midway, a tiny roadside community marked by its junction with Arkansas Highway 87.

From Midway, U.S. 167 resumes a southerly direction, gradually descending out of the Ozark edge and into the flatter terrain of the Arkansas Delta. This final leg of the drive—roughly 12 miles—is mostly open road, with the occasional farmhouse or roadside stand dotting the landscape. As we approach Bald Knob, AR-258 intersects just before we reach the town proper.

Bald Knob, often thought of as a junction town, sits at a major crossroads in Arkansas’s highway system. US-167 enters from the north and joins with US-67 and US-64 just outside of town. Right before that interchange, the route crosses AR-367, an older alignment of US-67 that still functions as the main street for Bald Knob. Although this video ends at the junction with US-67/64, travelers can continue on southward toward Searcy, or head east toward Wynne and West Memphis via US-64.

While this stretch of US-167 isn’t packed with major attractions, the drive itself offers a relaxing experience with pockets of local character and scenic countryside. Whether you’re connecting between cities or just out for a Sunday drive, the Batesville to Bald Knob segment delivers that classic Arkansas road trip vibe.

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