U.S. Highway 64: Van Buren to Alma – Arkansas

Travel with us along an easygoing 8-mile stretch of U.S. Highway 64 as it connects the historic river town of Van Buren to the small but lively community of Alma, nestled just off the busy I-40 corridor in western Arkansas. We begin this drive in the heart of downtown Van Buren, turning onto Broadway Street from Arkansas Highway 59. This part of town retains its old-town charm, with preserved storefronts and brick sidewalks that hint at Van Buren’s early railroad and riverboat days.

Heading northeast on U.S. 64, we roll past a few city blocks before swinging east where AR-59 veers north. This spot is a common local connector for travelers heading up to Cedarville and the Boston Mountains beyond. Continuing eastbound, we pass by the western end of Arkansas Highway 162. It’s not long before we cross under the busy interchange with Interstate 540 — a major north-south artery that ties Van Buren and Fort Smith to the rest of western Arkansas and Oklahoma. This section of U.S. 64 serves as a lighter alternative to the interstate for local traffic and provides a closer look at rural river valley life.

Once clear of the Van Buren city limits, the road opens up into the typical gently rolling farmland that dots this part of Crawford County. Fields and small pastures line both sides, interspersed with clusters of trees that hint at the forests of the Ozarks to the north. It’s a short but pleasant stretch that feels far removed from the interstates, offering a glimpse of everyday life in Arkansas’s river valley — farmhouses, old barns, and the occasional roadside stand in season. Even though this drive is brief, you get a good sense of the open spaces that define western Arkansas.

As we approach Alma, the scenery gradually shifts from open fields to scattered businesses marking the town’s outskirts. Alma, often dubbed the “Spinach Capital of the World,” is a small community with a big claim to fame — look out for the Popeye statue in town if you have time to detour off U.S. 64. We glide through the western edge of Alma, passing a few commercial stops and local shops, before wrapping up our route at the intersection with Arkansas Highway 162 and U.S. Highway 71. From here, travelers can hop on I-40 for points east or continue exploring more of Arkansas’s river valley towns.