The following is a list of state highways in the U.S. state of Arkansas. The state does not use a numbering convention. Generally, the two-digit odd numbered highways run north–south with a few exceptions; and even-numbered two-digit state highways run east–west with a few exceptions.
Arkansas has long had a stigma of poor roads, dating from the "Arkansas Roads Scandal" playing a prominent role in state politics through the 1920s and 1930s, periodic allegations of corruption, waste, and fraud, and a long-running struggle to adequately fund the operation, maintenance and expansion of a large highway system serving a rural state.[1][2]
The state has received the designation of "worst roads in America" from several publications throughout the 1990s and into the 2000s, with Interstate 30 and Interstate 40 often ranking particularly poorly among truckers.[3][4] Rankings improved until a large construction plan was completed on I-40.[5]
A 2000 survey cited the poor condition of rural interstates, as well as narrow lanes on rural state highways, as areas of concern, ranking Arkansas 47th of the 50 states.[6] A 2011 study found Arkansas's rural highways fourth-most, and the state's roads overall the 16th most deadly.[7]
^McLaren, Christie. "Arkansas Highway History and Architecture, 1910–1965." Article.Archived June 2, 2011, at the Wayback Machine Page 13. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
^"The Best, Worst, and Deadliest Roads in America: The Rankings." Reader's Digest. Article.Archived March 25, 2010, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
^Lewis, Edward. "Roads In America — The Worst And The Best." American Chronicle. Article.. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
^ ab"[Arkansas] State Highways 2009 (Database)." April 2010. AHTD: Planning and Research Division. Database.Archived July 7, 2011, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved April 3, 2011.
^ abcdefArkansas State Highway Department (1927). State of Arkansas Showing System of State Highways(TIF) (Map). 1:500,000. Little Rock: Arkansas State Highway Commission. Retrieved December 23, 2017 – via Arkansas GIS Office.
^ abcdArkansas State Highway Commission (1935). Official Highway Service Map(TIF) (Map). Scale not given. Little Rock: Arkansas State Highway Commission. Retrieved September 4, 2019 – via Arkansas GIS Office.
^Tudor, Lorie H. (March 28, 2022). "Minute Order 2022-041"(PDF). Administrative Circular 2022-05. Little Rock: Arkansas Department of Transportation. p. 8. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
^Arkansas State Highway Commission (September 1, 1929). State of Arkansas Showing Types of Roads(TIF) (Map). Scale not given. Little Rock: Arkansas State Highway Commission. Retrieved June 6, 2019 – via Arkansas GIS Office.
^Arkansas State Highway Commission (1937). Official Highway Service Map(TIF) (Map). Scale not given. Little Rock: Arkansas State Highway Commission. Retrieved April 26, 2020 – via Arkansas GIS Office.
^ abcArkansas State Highway Commission (June 1, 1931). Official Highway Service Map(TIF) (Revised). Scale not given. Little Rock: Arkansas State Highway Commission. Retrieved May 2, 2020 – via Arkansas GIS Office.
^Arkansas State Highway Commission (1938). Official Highway Service Map(TIF) (Map). Scale not given. Little Rock: Arkansas State Highway Commission. Retrieved December 23, 2017 – via Arkansas GIS Office.
^Bennett, Scott E. (March 26, 2019). "Minute Order 2019-029"(PDF). Administrative Circular 2019-04. Little Rock: Arkansas Department of Transportation. pp. 10–11. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
^Planning and Research Division (August 12, 2002). General Highway Map, Boone County, Arkansas(PDF) (Map). 1:62,500. Little Rock: Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department. OCLC51071806. Retrieved November 21, 2021.
