Take a ride through the historic Stagecoach corridor as we follow Arkansas Highway 5 from Little Rock to Benton — a 13-mile journey that blends suburban convenience with deep-rooted history. Our drive begins where Highway 5 meets Interstate 430 in southwest Little Rock, a point that today sees a steady hum of commuter traffic but once marked the start of a vital 19th-century mail and passenger route. Known locally as Stagecoach Road, this stretch first threads through a mix of neighborhoods and small businesses, a reminder that even modern suburbs grow around the old arteries of travel. The name is no accident — stagecoaches once plied this path, linking the state capital to communities and trade routes farther southwest.
Leaving the more densely built sections of Pulaski County, we pass through gently rolling terrain where patches of woodland give way to open clearings and small community centers. It’s a transition that mirrors the road’s dual identity — commuter shortcut by weekday, leisurely alternative to Interstate 30 for those with a little extra time. As we approach Alexander, the pace feels less hurried. The highway narrows slightly, the tree canopy closes in, and occasional glimpses of older farmsteads remind us that this was a rural lifeline long before asphalt and traffic signals. Just beyond the Pulaski–Saline county line lies an understated but notable landmark: the officially marked Geographic Center of Arkansas. Set back along Stagecoach Road between Bryant and Alexander, this modest monument offers the sort of roadside trivia that makes a trip memorable.
The final stretch into Benton sees the road slowly giving way to more frequent driveways, commercial storefronts, and side streets leading into growing subdivisions. The highway here, also known as Old Hot Springs Highway, carries the echoes of another era when it was the main link to Hot Springs before the interstate system. Now, it provides a comfortable segue between Benton’s north side and the broader road network. We wrap up at the junction with the Interstate 30 frontage road, where travelers can choose to head west toward Hot Springs, dive into Benton’s downtown, or loop back toward Little Rock with the interstate’s faster pace.
Arkansas Highway 5 between Little Rock and Benton is more than just a connector — it’s a corridor where history, community, and daily life intertwine. Whether you’re chasing the memory of stagecoaches, seeking a quieter route, or simply curious enough to stop at a geographic center marker, this drive offers a glimpse of Arkansas that blends the past with the present in every mile.
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