Take a quick but compelling ride through the heart of central Arkansas as we follow U.S. Route 70 from North Little Rock across the Arkansas River into the historic core of Little Rock. This brief yet rich 3.5-mile journey showcases the shifting tapestry of Arkansas’s capital—blending urban energy, storied landmarks, and graceful transitions through some of the city’s oldest neighborhoods.
We begin our drive turning onto U.S. Route 70 from Arkansas Highway 365, just west of the Broadway Bridge in North Little Rock. Almost immediately, we ascend onto the bridge itself, crossing the Arkansas River with commanding views of the downtown Little Rock skyline to the west and the Clinton Presidential Park to the east. The bridge here, part of the Broadway corridor, is more than just steel and concrete—it’s a symbolic connector between the twin cities of Little Rock and North Little Rock, historically divided by more than just the river. As we glide across the span, the busy hum of traffic and distant riverfront trails remind us we’re entering a civic and cultural hub.
Once we descend into downtown Little Rock, US-70 threads directly through the city center via Broadway Street. This corridor—bustling with office buildings, performance venues, and civic landmarks—has long been a central artery of the capital. Just a few blocks west lies Robinson Center, home to the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and a key stop on many regional tours. Our southbound journey soon brings us past the Interstate 630 interchange, where traffic patterns shift and the surrounding architecture begins to hint at older, quieter roots. The tall buildings give way to 19th-century homes and tree-lined sidewalks as we roll into one of the city’s most treasured districts.
Passing Mount Holly Cemetery—established in 1843 and often called “The Westminster Abbey of Arkansas”—we get a fleeting glance at a resting place for governors, Confederate generals, and U.S. senators. The cemetery, tucked just off Broadway between 12th and 13th Streets, is a profound reminder of the layers of history embedded within this capital city. Almost seamlessly, we enter the Governor’s Mansion Historic District, where broad porches, wrought-iron fences, and careful preservation speak to a quieter era. The Governor’s Mansion itself, home to Arkansas’s governors since 1950 and the onetime residence of Bill Clinton, anchors the neighborhood as both a political symbol and a piece of living history.
Continuing south, the road subtly transforms once more as we leave the historic residential enclave and enter a mixed-use zone marked by small commercial buildings, corner shops, and service businesses. Here, U.S. 70 retains a more utilitarian vibe—its roots as a cross-country highway still felt in the function-first buildings and slightly wider roadways. Before long, we arrive at a key intersection where U.S. 70 continues west as Roosevelt Road, while we make a left turn (east) onto Arkansas Highway 365—marking the end of this particular journey. It’s a subtle but significant shift, leaving the historic east-west corridor to follow a southbound route steeped in its own unique legacy.
While only a few miles in length, this segment of U.S. Route 70 encapsulates the geographic and cultural transition from modern downtown to historic neighborhoods and working-class corridors. It’s a drive that connects—not just north to south, or river to city—but time to place. In just a few turns, we see how the story of Arkansas unfolds block by block, from steel bridges and glass towers to marble mausoleums and brick-paved walkways.
Note: The cover image of this video suggests this route is U.S. Route 70 Business Loop. It is, in fact, U.S. Route 70 itself. Somewhere along the route was a rouge 70B sign and that caused some confusion with the original producer.
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