Travel U.S. Route 49 from Brinkley to Helena–West Helena, Arkansas, across the Delta’s farmland and small towns to the Mississippi River. Explore historic sites, scenic byways, and the cultural heart of the Arkansas Delta.
🛶 Great River Road
Discover the Great River Road — a scenic highway following the Mississippi River through ten states. Explore river towns, historic landmarks, and stunning views on this iconic American route.
The Great River Road is one of America’s most iconic scenic byways, tracing the path of the mighty Mississippi River through ten states from northern Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. Marked by its distinctive green pilot’s wheel signs, this route offers travelers a deep dive into the natural, cultural, and historical landscapes that define the Mississippi River Valley. From towering bluffs and lush forests to vast floodplains and vibrant river towns, the journey is as diverse as the regions it passes through.
Along the Great River Road, you’ll encounter everything from quiet, rural roads to bustling urban corridors in cities like St. Louis, Memphis, and New Orleans. The route weaves through charming riverfront communities, many of which preserve the rich heritage of Native American cultures, French colonial settlements, steamboat-era trade, and the blues and jazz traditions that shaped American music. Interpretive centers, scenic overlooks, and historic landmarks dot the route, making it ideal for leisurely road trips and immersive exploration.
Whether you’re following the full 3,000-mile route or exploring a short segment, the Great River Road promises unforgettable views, fascinating detours, and a unique lens into the heart of the United States. It’s not just a road trip — it’s a journey through time, culture, and the soul of the Mississippi River.
Drive the 🛶 Great River Road
U.S. Route 49: Helena-West-Helena to Brinkley – Arkansas
Travel 48 miles across the Arkansas Delta on U.S. Route 49 from Helena–West Helena to Brinkley. Explore farmland, small towns like Marvell, and end at the I-40 crossroads in Brinkley.
Interstate 55: Blytheville, Arkansas to Sikeston, Missouri
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.
Mississippi Highway 1: Rosedale to Lula
Travel 54 miles through the Mississippi Delta along Mississippi Highway 1 from Rosedale to Lula. Part of the scenic Great River Road, this drive offers rural charm, historic Delta towns, and a deep look into the region’s cultural and agricultural heritage.
U.S. Route 70: West Memphis to Forrest City – Arkansas
Travel 34 miles west on U.S. Highway 70 from West Memphis to Forrest City, Arkansas. Follow the Delta flatlands, pass through Madison, and climb Crowley’s Ridge for a scenic and historical drive through eastern Arkansas.
U.S. Route 70: West Memphis – Arkansas
Take a short but fascinating drive along US-70 through West Memphis, Arkansas. This five-mile journey explores intersections, local culture, and landmarks like Arkansas State University Mid-South.
Interstate 55: Southbound in Memphis – Tennessee
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.
Interstate 55: West Memphis – Arkansas
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.
U.S. Route 62: Mississippi River Crossing to I-57 in Charleston – Missouri
Drive 11 miles west along U.S. Route 62 from the Mississippi River at the Illinois state line to Interstate 57 in Charleston, Missouri. This flat and fertile route connects historic Cairo, Illinois with Missouri’s Bootheel farmland and I-57’s major north–south cor…
U.S. Route 62: Fort Defiance – Illinois
Take a short but powerful drive along U.S. Route 62 from U.S. Highway 51 to Fort Defiance, Illinois, and on into Missouri. Explore the historic confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers and cross the Cairo Mississippi River Bridge into the heart of America.
U.S. Route 51: Wickliffe KY to Cairo IL via the Ohio River Bridge
Take a scenic drive along U.S. Route 51 from Wickliffe, Kentucky to the Illinois state line, crossing the historic Ohio River bridge into Cairo. Discover river towns, trusswork, and a glimpse of America’s inland waterways.