Let’s hit the road together as we drive a classic stretch of U.S. Highway 64, connecting the historic river town of Van Buren with the storied frontier city of Fort Smith, Arkansas. This short but rich seven-mile segment packs a punch with river views, local history, and an easy cruise through two of the state’s more fascinating towns.
We kick things off in the heart of Van Buren, rolling southwest onto U.S. 64 right at the junction with Arkansas Highway 59. Van Buren’s charming downtown is worth a pause if you’re not in a hurry — antique shops, old storefronts, and the historic train depot speak to the town’s roots as a river port and rail hub. As we roll through the city grid, we cross AR-59 east, passing small businesses and glimpses of the nearby riverfront park. Soon enough, we’re coasting over the broad Arkansas River, a defining feature of the region that has shaped trade and travel here for generations.
Once across the river, we enter Fort Smith, a city that once marked the edge of the American frontier. U.S. 64 here doubles as U.S. 71 Business and moves us through a mix of older commercial zones and light industrial sites — remnants of Fort Smith’s heyday as a rail and manufacturing center. Past the Arkansas Highway 255 junction, the road carries us deeper into the city’s urban grid. This is where the highway gets a bit unique: westbound lanes follow 10th Street while eastbound traffic flows along 11th Street, so keep an eye out for signs if you’re making a round trip.
Approaching downtown Fort Smith, U.S. 64 swings right onto the historic corridor of Garrison Avenue. This is the true heart of old Fort Smith — lined with vintage brick buildings, local eateries, and markers that echo the town’s colorful past as a military post and lawless gateway to Indian Territory. Along the way, look left and you’ll catch the grounds of the Fort Smith National Historic Site, where the old fort and Judge Parker’s gallows draw Wild West history buffs from near and far. Just across Garrison Avenue sits Miss Laura’s Visitor Center — once a famous bordello, now a welcoming stop for travel information and a dose of local legend.
Continuing west through this nostalgic downtown, our drive wraps up at another crossing of the Arkansas River. With the river behind us once more, we leave Arkansas and roll just over the border into Oklahoma, still cruising on U.S. Highway 64 and ready for whatever lies ahead on the open road.
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