   Highway markers for some of the longest Arkansas state routes | |
 A map of highways in the state of Arkansas | |
| System information | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1924, renumbered in 1926 |
| State | AR nn, Ark. nn, Hwy. nn |
| System links | |
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]
- ^ Arnold, Morris S.; DeBlack, Thomas A.; Sabo III, George; Whayne, Jeannie M. (2002). Arkansas: A narrative history (1st ed.). Fayetteville, Arkansas: The University of Arkansas Press. pp. 317–318. ISBN 1-55728-724-4. OCLC 49029558.
- ^ McLaren, Christie. "Arkansas Highway History and Architecture, 1910–1965." Article. Archived June 2, 2011, at the Wayback Machine Page 13. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
- ^ Oman, Noel E. (November 5, 1997). "Arkansas roads 3rd-worst in nation, truckers say". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Little Rock. p. B2 – via NewsBank.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Oman, Noel B. (April 14, 2000). "Arkansas' roads rank 47th in U.S. in annual survey Rural interstates, narrow 2-lanes cited, but $575 million in repairs will help". Arkansas Democrat Gazette. Little Rock. p. B10. Retrieved July 4, 2020 – via NewsBank.
- ^ Moritz, Rob (September 2, 2011). "Study: State Rural Roads Dangerous". Fort Smith Times-Record. Fort Smith. Retrieved July 4, 2020 – via NewsBank.