Drive 14 scenic miles along U.S. Route 641 from Gilbertsville to Benton, Kentucky. Explore lakeside parks, charming small towns, and tranquil wildlife areas along this western Kentucky highway.
U.S. Numbered Highway System
Explore the U.S. Numbered Highway System—historic routes, major corridors, and scenic roads connecting every region of the country. Learn more about U.S. Highways across America.
The U.S. Numbered Highway System—often referred to as U.S. Routes or U.S. Highways—is a nationwide network of roads established in 1926 to improve long-distance automobile travel across the United States. Unlike the Interstate system, U.S. Highways predate freeways and often serve as main streets, scenic byways, or vital connectors through rural and urban communities alike. Many historic routes, including iconic roads like U.S. Route 66, trace their roots to this enduring network.
These highways use a grid system for numbering: odd-numbered routes run north–south, increasing from east to west, while even-numbered routes run east–west, increasing from north to south. Important cross-country highways typically end in “0” or “1” (like US 20 or US 1), and three-digit offshoots usually indicate spurs or loops branching from mainline routes.
Today, the U.S. Highway system continues to evolve—some segments have been decommissioned, realigned, or upgraded to freeways—but many routes remain essential for regional travel, trucking, and scenic exploration. This category explores the entire U.S. Numbered Highway network, from coast to coast and border to border.
Discover U.S. Routes
U.S. Route 641: Eddyville to Marion – Kentucky
Travel 18 miles north on U.S. Route 641 from Eddyville to Marion, Kentucky. This short but scenic route passes through Fredonia and Crayne before ending in Marion, linking lakeside landscapes to rural towns in western Kentucky.
U.S. Route 62: Grand Rivers to Eddyville – Kentucky
Explore the 12-mile stretch of U.S. Route 62 from Grand Rivers to Eddyville, Kentucky, featuring river crossings, interchanges with I-24/I-69, and easy access to outdoor recreation near Lake Barkley.
![[Revisited] U.S. Route 79: Paris to Dover – Tennessee](https://www.openroadarchive.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/4nnatwyb978maxresdefault.jpg)
[Revisited] U.S. Route 79: Paris to Dover – Tennessee
Travel U.S. Route 79 from Paris to Dover, TN for a scenic 28-mile drive through farmland, lakeside views, and forested terrain—ending at the gateway to Land Between the Lakes.
U.S. Route 270: Hot Springs to Malvern – Arkansas
Explore the 13-mile drive along U.S. Route 270 from Hot Springs to Malvern, Arkansas. This scenic connector passes through forested hills, volcanic terrain, and historic towns like Magnet Cove and Rockport before ending at I-30.
U.S. Route 70: Hot Springs to Glenwood – Arkansas
Take a 31-mile drive along U.S. Route 70 from Hot Springs to Glenwood, Arkansas, passing through forested hills, historic towns, and scenic byways in the heart of the Ouachita Mountains.
U.S. Route 70B: Hot Springs – Arkansas
Take a 10-mile drive along U.S. Route 70B through Hot Springs, Arkansas. From Gulpha Gorge to Memorial Field Airport, explore this scenic business loop that connects highways, neighborhoods, and the edge of Hot Springs National Park.
U.S. Highway 64: Waynesboro to Pulaski – Tennessee
Take a 46-mile drive along U.S. Highway 64 from Waynesboro to Pulaski, Tennessee, passing through rural landscapes, forest preserves, and small-town bypasses in the heart of southern Middle Tennessee.
U.S. Route 49: Lula to Helena – Mississippi/Arkansas
Travel U.S. Route 49 from Lula, Mississippi, to Helena, Arkansas, crossing the Mississippi River via the Helena Bridge and exploring Delta culture in this scenic 4-mile drive.
U.S. Route 61: Vicksburg to Rolling Fork – Mississippi
Cruise 43 miles of Mississippi Delta soul along U.S. Route 61 from Vicksburg to Rolling Fork. Discover small towns, blues history, farmland views, and quiet two-lane highway charm on this scenic stretch of the historic Blues Highway.
U.S. Route 80: Tallulah to Delta – Louisiana
Cruise 15 miles of U.S. Route 80 from Tallulah to Delta, Louisiana, passing through scenic bayous, rural farmland, and historic small towns before merging with I-20 to cross the Mississippi River.
U.S. Route 65: Lake Providence to Tallulah – Louisiana
Cruise 29 miles down U.S. Route 65 from Lake Providence to Tallulah, Louisiana. This peaceful drive along the Mississippi River weaves through quiet farmland, historic small towns, and natural wetland habitats—perfect for a scenic rural road trip.