Explore America’s diverse network of state highways—regional routes managed by individual states that connect towns, cities, parks, and scenic landscapes.
State highways form the backbone of regional travel across the United States, offering essential connections between cities, rural communities, and major national routes. Managed by individual state departments of transportation, these highways vary widely in scale—from narrow rural byways to multi-lane expressways rivaling interstates in traffic and speed. While numbering systems and signage conventions differ from state to state, each network plays a critical role in local mobility and economic development.
Unlike the federally designated Interstate and U.S. Highway systems, state highways are developed and maintained at the state level, giving them a unique character and flexibility. Some follow historic paths and scenic corridors, while others serve as modern commuter routes or urban spurs. Many are vital links to state parks, natural attractions, and lesser-known destinations that don’t fall within the national systems.
On this site, we highlight a growing collection of notable state highways, organized by region and state. Whether you’re tracing a scenic loop through the mountains, navigating a fast-moving corridor through a metro area, or exploring forgotten rural routes, our guides offer detailed overviews, and video journeys to help you plan your next adventure.
State Departments of Transportation use different terminology for their designated road systems, with some states using “state highway,” others “state road,” and still others “state route.” These distinctions, though seemingly minor, often reflect historical and legislative traditions within each state. The choice of a particular term can be tied to the legal language used when the road network was first established or expanded. For example, a state might have initially defined its network as a “system of highways” for commerce and travel, while another may have focused on creating a “system of roads” for local and inter-city connections. The term “state route” is often a more modern designation that emphasizes a specific numbered path for navigation rather than the physical characteristics or purpose of the road itself. While the exact reasoning for each state’s choice is complex and rooted in its unique history, the map on the right provides a visual guide to which term is used where.
Join us as we explore a short but important connector route in central Oklahoma—Oklahoma Highway 312, stretching just under 9 miles from Glencoe to the northern outskirts of Stillwater. Though compact in distance, this stretch of highway serves as a modern, limited-ac…
Cruise 64 miles along Oklahoma Highway 66 from Bristow to Edmond, exploring classic Route 66 towns, scenic farmland, and roadside icons like Arcadia’s Round Barn. A must-see slice of Oklahoma Americana!
Drive 14 scenic miles along Arkansas Highway 74 from Ponca to Jasper through the Ozark Mountains, passing elk country, mountain switchbacks, and the Buffalo River on one of Arkansas’s most beautiful backroads.
Travel 38 miles along Mississippi Highway 1 from Greenville to Rosedale, exploring a scenic stretch of the Great River Road through farmland, oxbow lakes, historic mounds, and classic Delta towns.
Take a peaceful 13-mile drive through the Ouachita Mountains on Arkansas Highway 27 from Mt. Ida to Story. This scenic route winds through forested hills, crosses the Ouachita River, and ends in the heart of the Ouachita National Forest.
Cruise 53 miles north along Arkansas Highway 9 from Eagle Mills to Malvern through the piney woods, farmland, and historic communities of central-southern Arkansas.
ake a 19-mile drive along Arkansas Highway 89 from Lonoke to Cabot, passing through quiet farmland, wooded stretches, and suburban neighborhoods. This scenic route captures the transition from rural Arkansas to the bustling heart of Cabot.
Explore Missouri Route 125 from the Arkansas state line to Rueter in this scenic 11-mile drive through the Ozark hills. From the historic Peel Ferry to quiet forests near US-160, this peaceful rural route offers a glimpse into Missouri’s backroads charm.
Cruise 19 scenic miles along Arkansas Highway 7 from Harrison to Lead Hill. Explore small towns, forested hills, and connections to Bull Shoals Lake on this peaceful Ozark drive.
Explore the scenic Ouachita Mountains on Arkansas Highway 60 from Fourche Junction to Perryville. This 21-mile drive passes Nimrod Lake, the towns of Nimrod and Aplin, and ends in Perryville at AR-9. Perfect for road trip and nature enthusiasts.
Explore the scenic and remote drive along Arkansas Highway 16 from Witts Springs to Sand Gap. This 26-mile route winds through the heart of the Ozarks, passing Pedestal Rocks and sweeping forest overlooks for a peaceful, unforgettable journey.
Take a 15-mile drive along Mississippi Highway 315 from Oxford to Sardis. Explore quiet rural roads, scenic Sardis Dam, and the recreational beauty of northern Mississippi along this peaceful and varied route.