Explore Interstate 55, a major north–south highway stretching from Louisiana to Illinois. Learn about its route, history, key cities, and scenic highlights.
Interstate 55 (I-55) is a major north–south artery in the United States Interstate Highway System, connecting the Gulf of Mexico to the heart of the Midwest. Spanning approximately 964 miles, I-55 begins in LaPlace, Louisiana, just west of New Orleans, and extends north to Chicago, Illinois. Along its route, the highway passes through key cities such as Jackson, Memphis, and St. Louis, serving as a vital corridor for freight movement and regional travel.
The route closely follows several historical alignments, most notably parts of the legendary U.S. Route 66 between St. Louis and Chicago. As it climbs through the Mississippi Delta, crosses the mighty Mississippi River at Memphis, and traverses the rolling farmlands of central Illinois, I-55 offers a blend of Southern charm and Midwestern industry. In many ways, it acts as a cultural and economic bridge between the Deep South and the Great Lakes region.
Interstate 55 is also known for its strategic importance in connecting multiple auxiliary interstates and major junctions, including I-10 and I-12 in Louisiana, I-40 in Tennessee, I-70 and I-44 in Missouri, and I-80 and I-90 in Illinois. Whether you’re heading north from the bayous or south toward the delta, I-55 remains one of the most traveled and historically significant interstates in the central United States.
Take a peaceful drive along Interstate 55 from Blytheville to Sikeston, crossing the Arkansas Delta into Missouri’s Bootheel. Follow key junctions like Hayti, Portageville, and Sikeston while exploring the flat, agricultural landscapes of the Mid-South.
Take a 204-mile drive up Interstate 55 from Jackson to Memphis through Mississippi’s heartland. From the capital city to the edge of Tennessee, this route blends Southern charm, forested stretches, and suburban sprawl into one smooth highway journey.
Travel 64 miles along Interstate 55 from West Memphis to Blytheville, Arkansas, through fertile Delta farmland, historic towns like Osceola, and key junctions with I-40, I-555, and US-61. A quiet but vital corridor through eastern Arkansas.
Cross the Mississippi River on Interstate 55 from Memphis, TN to West Memphis, AR. Filmed before the Crump Blvd upgrade, this 4-mile stretch captures the aging Memphis-Arkansas Bridge before I-55 shifts to a future new river crossing.
Travel north along Interstate 55 from Cape Girardeau to St. Louis, Missouri in this 118-mile drive through river valleys, historic towns, and suburban sprawl, ending just shy of downtown.
Take a short but significant ride down I-55 from Memphis to Hernando, Mississippi. This 9-mile drive connects suburban Southaven to rural Hernando, with stops near major retail, outlet shopping, and the junctions with I-69 and I-269.
Take a drive along Interstate 55 southbound through Memphis, Tennessee, from the Mississippi River to the state line. Navigate historic interchanges, pass Graceland, and explore Memphis’s evolving highway landscape in this 15-mile journey.
Cruise 7 miles south on Interstate 55 through West Memphis, Arkansas, from the junction with I-40 to the Memphis-Arkansas Bridge. This key connector blends urban industry, logistics, and classic highway scenery.
Cruise through Memphis on Interstate 55 from the Mississippi state line to I-240. This 6-mile stretch offers key connections to Graceland, downtown, and the Memphis Airport—highlighting the city’s role as a major Southern crossroads.