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.
U.S. Route 49
Explore U.S. Route 49, a historic north-south highway running from Gulfport, Mississippi to Piggott, Arkansas. Discover its cultural roots, major cities, and scenic Southern landscapes along the way.
U.S. Route 49 (US 49) is a major north–south United States highway that stretches approximately 516 miles through the heart of the Deep South. The highway begins in Gulfport, Mississippi, near the Gulf Coast, and travels north to its terminus in Piggott, Arkansas, near the Missouri state line. Serving as a crucial corridor through Mississippi and southeastern Arkansas, US 49 has historically played a vital role in regional commerce, agriculture, and cultural identity.
In Mississippi, US 49 passes through several major cities and towns, including Hattiesburg, Jackson, and Yazoo City. It overlaps with several other routes in urban areas, including I-20 and US 98. The highway is known for its proximity to the Mississippi Blues Trail and its historical significance in the development of Delta blues music. Travelers along US 49 encounter a diverse mix of landscapes, from pine forests and river valleys to farmland and rural countryside.
North of the Mississippi Delta, US 49 continues into Arkansas, splitting into two separate alignments: US 49E and US 49W, which rejoin in Tutwiler before crossing into Arkansas near Helena-West Helena. The highway winds through eastern Arkansas farmland, crossing the Mississippi River via the Helena Bridge. US 49 ends in Piggott, AR, connecting small towns and communities across the southeastern region of the state.
Discover U.S. Routes
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.
U.S. Route 49: Helena/West-Helena – Arkansas
Travel 5 miles through Helena–West Helena, Arkansas on U.S. Route 49. Explore this vital Delta route connecting history, culture, and community in eastern Arkansas.
U.S. Route 49: Rich, Mississippi to Helena/W. Helena, Arkansas
Travel 11 miles along U.S. Route 49 from Rich, Mississippi to Helena-West Helena, Arkansas, crossing the scenic Mississippi River and exploring rich Delta landscapes and historic Helena’s cultural roots.
U.S. Route 49: Helena/West-Helena to Lula (Arkansas/Mississippi)
Take a scenic 10-mile drive along U.S. Route 49 from Helena/West-Helena, Arkansas to Lula, Mississippi. Cross the Mississippi River and explore the rich cultural heritage of the Delta region on this short but memorable route.
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.