Arkansas Highway 43: Siloam Springs to Maysville

Join us as we cruise north for 18 scenic miles along Arkansas Highway 43, starting right in the heart of Siloam Springs and wrapping up at Maysville, near the Oklahoma border. Our journey kicks off at the busy corner of Mt. Olive Street (AR-43) and Cheri Whitlock Street (AR-204), where Siloam Springs’ small-town vibe transitions quickly into open countryside. As we work our way north through a series of gentle bends and city backstreets, it doesn’t take long before the houses fade, replaced by a peaceful blend of rolling farmland and shady groves lining the road. Crossing Flint Creek signals the edge of town, and soon enough, we enter the tiny community of West Point, a quiet speck on the map that hints at the rural flavor of the miles ahead.

Beyond West Point, Highway 43 settles into a mostly straight northern track, guiding us deeper into the Ozark borderlands. A few playful S-curves keep us awake behind the wheel, but before long, the route meets up with Arkansas Highway 12 at a single-lane roundabout—an unexpected sight in this wide-open stretch of northwest Benton County. After navigating the circle, we keep on 43 through Cherokee City, a relic of a once busier time that now greets travelers with an old crossroads feel and hints of early Ozarks settlement history. Here, travelers can catch glimpses westward into Oklahoma’s eastern hills, as the border dances just out of view.

Dropping down into Spring Valley, the road twists alongside the edge of the state line so closely that it’s easy to forget which state you’re actually in. The valley’s lowland farms and woodlots offer a pretty backdrop before Highway 43 climbs out again, reconnecting with Arkansas Highway 102. Here we swing west for a short mile—a stretch that briefly kisses Oklahoma territory—before a tight bend brings us back north for our final push into Maysville. The route finishes at the crossroads with Arkansas Highway 72, where fields stretch off into three states and where this borderland drive comes to a quiet stop. For anyone chasing hidden corners of the Ozarks, this segment of Highway 43 offers a laid-back ride with just enough curves and countryside charm to keep you coming back.