U.S. Route 71
Encyclopedia
U.S. Route 71 is a north–south United States highway. This original 1926 route has remained largely unchanged by encroaching Interstate highways. Currently, the highway's northern terminus is in International Falls, Minnesota
at the Canadian
border, at the southern end of the Fort Frances-International Falls International Bridge
to Fort Frances, Ontario
. U.S. Route 53
also ends here. On the other side of the bridge, Trans-Canada Highway
11
is an east–west route. US 71's southern terminus is between Port Barre
and Krotz Springs, Louisiana
at an intersection with U.S. Route 190
.
and Krotz Springs, Louisiana
, at an intersection with U.S. 190. The highway follows a northwesterly course through Louisiana, passing through the communities of Alexandria
, Montgomery
, Coushatta
, and Shreveport
. From its southern terminus to Shreveport, U.S. 71 has largely been superseded by Interstate 49
- which is eventually planned to roughly follow the U.S. 71 alignment as far north as Kansas City
, Missouri
. After Shreveport, U.S. 71 follows a northerly course, crossing into Arkansas just north of Ida
, Louisiana.
.
The route enters Arkansas near the Red River, and runs north through the communities of Doddridge
and Fouke
. Most motorists can now bypass US 71 from Doddridge to Texarkana via Arkansas Highway 549, a four-lane controlled-access highway
which is intended to be part of the extension of Interstate 49
. After approximately 30 miles (48.3 km) of parallaling Highway 549, the route turns west, passes the historic Averitt House and enters Texarkana
. Highway 71 has a brief concurrency with Highway 237
before crossing over The Loop
(future Interstate 130) in the southeast part of town.
Inside the loop, Highway 71 becomes East Street, passing the Texarkana Country Club and Hobo Jungle Park before becoming Hickory Street in downtown Texarkana. The street is four-lane undivided, passing the Bottoms House and J.K. Wadley House before meeting US 67
/US 82
. US 71 forms a short, 2 block concurrency with US 67/US 82 before turning north along Hazel Street. This minor city street runs northwest to intersect State Line Avenue
, at this time, the northbound lanes are in Arkansas; the southbound lanes are in Texas
. While on State Line Avenue, US 71 intersects Loop 14 before U.S. Route 59
joins US 71 at a full cloverleaf interchange
with Interstate 30
.
From Arkansas Highway 296
north of Texarkana to the Red River, US 71 runs concurrent
with US 59 as an expressway. Except for the northbound lanes (which return to the Arkansas side just before the Red River), this section of 3.39 miles (5.5 km) is entirely in Texas.
The highways re-enter Arkansas (specifically Little River County, Arkansas
) completely at the Red River. US 71/US 59 serve as an eastern terminus for Highway 380 upon entering Ogden
. Although US 71/US 59 bypass the community as a four-lane highway, the route formerly served Ogden as Grand Street, which as of 2011 retains original 1926 US 71 paving for some of its length. Further north the routes pass under Highway 32, which skirts the southern part of Ashdown
. Serving Little River's county seat
as Constitution Avenue, the routes become a five-lane road with center turn lane which passes within two blocks of the Little River County Courthouse. The routes intersect Highway 32B and Highway 108
before exiting town headed due north to Wilton
. Following the Kansas City Southern Railroad tracks, US 71/US 59 enters Wilton, where it passes the S. S. P. Mills and Son Building, Highway 234, and the Texarkana and Fort Smith Railway Depot. Just north of town a former alignment comes into view for a few miles before the Mills Cemetery and the Sevier County line.
US 59 continues through Lockesburg
, DeQueen and Mena
, finally leaving U.S. 71 at Acorn
. In addition, U.S. Route 371
overlaps U.S. 71 & 59 for approximately 14 miles (22.5 km) from Lockesburg to DeQueen, joined by U.S. Route 70
8 miles (12.9 km) east of DeQueen.
Between Acorn and Y City
, US 71 overlaps U.S. Route 270
.
North of Acorn, US 71 passes through Waldron
, Mansfield
and Greenwood
before intersecting with Interstate 540
on the south end of Fort Smith. US 71 overlaps I-540 approximately 12 miles (19.3 km) until it reaches Interstate 40
, then follows I-40 6 miles to Alma
.
U.S. 71 passes through Mountainburg
, Winslow
, West Fork
and Greenland
on its way to Fayetteville
. At Fayetteville, US 71 overlaps I-540 to Bentonville
, as well as U.S. Route 62
.
North of Bentonville US 71 continues another 12 miles (19.3 km) passing through Bella Vista
to the Missouri
State Line.
with Kansas City
. Construction is in progress to upgrade US 71 to Interstate standards as a future extension of Interstate 49. On August 15, 2007, the final section of US 71 south of Kansas City to be completed to a 4-lane divided expressway was opened in McDonald County
, between the cities of Lanagan
and Jane
. In Kansas City, US 71 is one of the components of the Grandview Triangle
interchange. Though US 71 is a freeway from Harrisonville
almost to downtown Kansas City, there is a 2 miles (3.2 km) section near Swope Park that has three at-grade intersections. Ample right of way exists on the corridor to upgrade to a freeway, though there are no plans to do so in the near future. From downtown Kansas City, US 71 overlaps with Interstate 29 to Saint Joseph
. From there, US 71 continues as an expressway to Maryville
before angling towards Iowa just north of Clearmont
. In 2002, US 71 was four laned from Interstate 29, northwest of St. Joseph to Maryville. From there, until it enters Iowa
at Braddyville
, it continues to be the only remaining rural two lane section of this highway north of Kansas City.
US 71 overlaps Interstate 70 on the east side of downtown Kansas City's freeway loop
. US 71 then overlaps Interstate 35 and Interstate 29 for a segment which crosses the Missouri River
via the Christopher S. Bond Bridge
in Kansas City. It then continues concurrent with Interstate 29 after separating from Interstate 35 north of the Missouri River to just north of St. Joseph, Missouri where it diverges.
An alternative in the design of Interstate 29 called for it to follow US 71 on a more populated route through Maryville, Missouri
and Clarinda, Iowa
. However the interstate was to be routed along the more direct route to Omaha, Nebraska
/Council Bluffs, Iowa
and more sparsely populated Missouri River bottoms.
During the Great Flood of 1993
, when the Missouri River flooded, I-29 traffic was detoured along US 71 through Maryville and Clarinda.
The four-lane segment between Savannah
to Maryville was completed in 2002. It is a two lane highway north of Maryville to the Iowa state line. The long delay in bringing a four-lane highway to Maryville even as most of the highway from Savannah south to the Arkansas line has been a four lanes for some time was a source of considerable irritation for Maryville and Northwest Missouri State University
.
Outlaws Bonnie and Clyde
engaged in a shoot out with law enforcement officers in 1933 beside the highway at the Red Crown Tourist Court
in Platte County, Missouri
. The tourist court (which has been torn down) was just east of the main exit for Kansas City International Airport
on I-29.
and junctions Interstate 80
near Brayton
, northeast of Atlantic
. North of I-80, U.S. 71 passes through Carroll
, where it intersects U.S. Route 30
, and overlaps U.S. Route 20
through Early
and U.S. Route 18
through Spencer
. The highway crosses the Iowa Great Lakes
where West Okoboji
and East Okoboji Lake
meet before exiting the state.
U.S. 71 formerly entered Storm Lake
concurrently with Iowa Highway 7 but was moved to a new alignment east of Storm Lake in 1996 to lessen travel time between Carroll and Spencer, the two largest communities on U.S. 71 in Iowa. A business route of U.S. 71 follows the highway's former alignment through Storm Lake.
A business route for U.S. 71 also passes through Clarinda
on a former alignment of U.S. 71.
at Jackson
and passes through Windom
,intersect U.S Highway 14 at Sanborn. It passes through Redwood Falls
and Willmar
before its junction with Interstate 94
at Sauk Centre
From there, U.S. 71 passes through Long Prairie
, Wadena
, and Park Rapids
before touching Itasca State Park
, the source of the Mississippi River
. It then crosses the Mississippi and is a major route for northern Minnesota as it goes around Bemidji
(the "first city on the Mississippi") and angles northeast to its end at the Canadian border in International Falls
. On the Ontario
side, Highway 71 links the bridge to Highway 11 in Fort Frances.
The Minnesota section of U.S. 71 is defined as Routes 4 and 141 in Minnesota Statutes §§ 161.114(2) and 161.115(72).,
to Port Allen, Louisiana
near the state capitol, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
. Otherwise, the route is largely intact.
In northwest Arkansas, the 1926 alignment of US 71 followed Highway 102 from Bentonville
to Centerton
, then north on Highway 102 Business to Highway 72 southeast of Hiwasse
. From there, it followed Arkansas 72 to Gravette
, where it turned north on Highway 59 to the Missouri
state line. In the 1930s, US 71 was rerouted along Arkansas 72 between Bentonville and Gravette, then north on Arkansas 59. This alignment lasted until the early 1960s when it was realigned along Highway 100 between Bentonville and the Missouri state line. In Missouri, the new US 71 replaced Route 88, which had been defined in 1922, while the old US 71 became Route 59.
In southern Louisiana, US 71 originally travelled south to Lebeau, Louisiana
where it turned east, passing through Melville
before turning south at Ravenswood then turning east at Rosedale
towards Baton Rouge.
This segment now generally follows Louisiana Highway 10
between Lebeau and Ravenswood, Louisiana Highway 77
between Ravenswood and Rosedale, and Louisiana Highway 76
to Baton Rouge.
In 2010, the historic highway was remembered in song on the Highway 71 CD by folk band 3 Penny Acre.
to Kansas City, Missouri
. For more, see Interstate 49
, Interstate 540 (Arkansas)
(completed from Alma to Bentonville), and Arkansas Highway 549 (completed from Texarkana to just north of Louisiana state line).
International Falls, Minnesota
International Falls is a city in and the county seat of Koochiching County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 6,424 at the 2010 census....
at the Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
border, at the southern end of the Fort Frances-International Falls International Bridge
Fort Frances-International Falls International Bridge
The Fort Frances – International Falls International Bridge is a privately owned international toll bridge connecting the towns of Fort Frances, Ontario and International Falls, Minnesota across the Rainy River....
to Fort Frances, Ontario
Fort Frances, Ontario
Fort Frances is a town in, and the seat of, Rainy River District in Northwestern Ontario, Canada. The population as of the 2006 census was 8,103 and Fort Frances' population peaked in 1971 at 9,947...
. U.S. Route 53
U.S. Route 53
U.S. Route 53 is a north–south U.S. highway that runs for 403 miles from La Crosse, Wisconsin to northern Minnesota. It is the primary north–south route in northwestern Wisconsin, serving as a vital link between I-94 at Eau Claire, Wisconsin and the city of Duluth, Minnesota...
also ends here. On the other side of the bridge, Trans-Canada Highway
Trans-Canada Highway
The Trans-Canada Highway is a federal-provincial highway system that joins the ten provinces of Canada. It is, along with the Trans-Siberian Highway and Australia's Highway 1, one of the world's longest national highways, with the main route spanning 8,030 km...
11
Highway 11 (Ontario)
King's Highway 11 is a provincially maintained highway in the Canadian province of Ontario. At , it is the second longest highway in the province after Highway 17. Highway 11 begins at Highway 400 in Barrie, and arches through northern Ontario, around Lake Superior, to the Ontario–Minnesota border...
is an east–west route. US 71's southern terminus is between Port Barre
Port Barre, Louisiana
Port Barre is a town in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 2,287 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Opelousas–Eunice Micropolitan Statistical Area...
and Krotz Springs, Louisiana
Krotz Springs, Louisiana
Krotz Springs is a town in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana on the Atchafalaya River. The population was 1,219 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Opelousas–Eunice Micropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
at an intersection with U.S. Route 190
U.S. Route 190
U.S. Route 190, also known as the Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway, is an east–west United States highway in Louisiana and Texas. It evolved from the shortest of intrastate routes in 1926 to a length comparable to a main Interstate Highway route, leading from the swamps and pine forests of...
.
Louisiana
The southern terminus of U.S. 71 is in Louisiana, beginning between Port BarrePort Barre, Louisiana
Port Barre is a town in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 2,287 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Opelousas–Eunice Micropolitan Statistical Area...
and Krotz Springs, Louisiana
Krotz Springs, Louisiana
Krotz Springs is a town in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana on the Atchafalaya River. The population was 1,219 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Opelousas–Eunice Micropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
, at an intersection with U.S. 190. The highway follows a northwesterly course through Louisiana, passing through the communities of Alexandria
Alexandria, Louisiana
Alexandria is a city in and the parish seat of Rapides Parish, Louisiana, United States. It lies on the south bank of the Red River in almost the exact geographic center of the state. It is the principal city of the Alexandria metropolitan area which encompasses all of Rapides and Grant parishes....
, Montgomery
Montgomery, Louisiana
left|thumb|200px|First Baptist Church in MontgomeryMontgomery is a town in Grant Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 787 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Alexandria Metropolitan Statistical Area. Founded in 1712, even before New Orleans, Montgomery is situated on U.S...
, Coushatta
Coushatta, Louisiana
Coushatta is a town in and the parish seat of rural Red River Parish, Louisiana, United States. It is situated on the east bank of the Red River. The community is approximately forty-five miles south of Shreveport on U.S. Highway 71...
, and Shreveport
Shreveport, Louisiana
Shreveport is the third largest city in Louisiana. It is the principal city of the fourth largest metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana and is the 109th-largest city in the United States....
. From its southern terminus to Shreveport, U.S. 71 has largely been superseded by Interstate 49
Interstate 49
Interstate 49 is currently an intrastate Interstate Highway located entirely within the state of Louisiana in the southern United States. Its southern terminus is in Lafayette, Louisiana, at Interstate 10 while its northern terminus is in Shreveport, Louisiana, at Interstate 20.-Route...
- which is eventually planned to roughly follow the U.S. 71 alignment as far north as Kansas City
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
, Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
. After Shreveport, U.S. 71 follows a northerly course, crossing into Arkansas just north of Ida
Ida, Louisiana
Ida is a village in Caddo Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 258 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Shreveport–Bossier City Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, Louisiana.
Arkansas and Texas
U.S. 71 travels approximately 300 miles (482.8 km) in Arkansas entering the state approximately 1 miles (1.6 km) north of Ida, LouisianaIda, Louisiana
Ida is a village in Caddo Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 258 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Shreveport–Bossier City Metropolitan Statistical Area...
.
The route enters Arkansas near the Red River, and runs north through the communities of Doddridge
Doddridge, Arkansas
Doddridge is an unincorporated community in southern Miller County, Arkansas, United States, approximately five miles north of the Louisiana border. Doddridge is located at the junction of Arkansas Highway 160 and U.S. Route 71, and the southern terminus of Highway 549 , as well as the confluence...
and Fouke
Fouke, Arkansas
Fouke is a town in Miller County, Arkansas, United States. It is part of the Texarkana, Texas - Texarkana, Arkansas Metropolitan Statistical Area...
. Most motorists can now bypass US 71 from Doddridge to Texarkana via Arkansas Highway 549, a four-lane controlled-access highway
Controlled-access highway
A controlled-access highway is a highway designed exclusively for high-speed vehicular traffic, with all traffic flow and ingress/egress regulated...
which is intended to be part of the extension of Interstate 49
Interstate 49
Interstate 49 is currently an intrastate Interstate Highway located entirely within the state of Louisiana in the southern United States. Its southern terminus is in Lafayette, Louisiana, at Interstate 10 while its northern terminus is in Shreveport, Louisiana, at Interstate 20.-Route...
. After approximately 30 miles (48.3 km) of parallaling Highway 549, the route turns west, passes the historic Averitt House and enters Texarkana
Texarkana, Arkansas
As of the census of 2000, there were 26,448 people, 10,384 households, and 7,040 families residing in the city. The population density was 830.5 people per square mile . There were 11,721 housing units at an average density of 368.1 per square mile...
. Highway 71 has a brief concurrency with Highway 237
Arkansas Highway 237
Arkansas Highway 237 is a north–south state highway in Miller County. The route of runs north from Highway 160 in the extreme southwest corner of the state along the east side of Texarkana to US 67.-Route description:...
before crossing over The Loop
Loop (Texarkana)
The Loop is a beltway around Texarkana, a twin city in the U.S. states of Arkansas and Texas, running about 16 miles . Consisting of Highway 245 - sometimes called Loop 245 - in Arkansas, and Loop 151 and a section of U.S. Highway 59 in Texas, it forms a three-quarter loop around the east, south...
(future Interstate 130) in the southeast part of town.
Inside the loop, Highway 71 becomes East Street, passing the Texarkana Country Club and Hobo Jungle Park before becoming Hickory Street in downtown Texarkana. The street is four-lane undivided, passing the Bottoms House and J.K. Wadley House before meeting US 67
U.S. Route 67 in Arkansas
U.S. Route 67 in Arkansas runs from Texarkana to the Missouri state line in Northeastern Arkansas.-Route description:U.S. Route 67 runs parallel to Interstate 30 from Texarkana to Benton, where it then runs concurrent with I-30 to North Little Rock. It then runs east, concurrent with I-40, for...
/US 82
U.S. Route 82
U.S. Route 82 is an east–west United States highway in the southern United States. What started as a 1932 addition to the system across central Mississippi and southern Arkansas eventually became a 1,609 mile route extending from the White Sands of New Mexico to Georgia's Atlantic coast.The...
. US 71 forms a short, 2 block concurrency with US 67/US 82 before turning north along Hazel Street. This minor city street runs northwest to intersect State Line Avenue
State Line Avenue
State Line Avenue is a north–south arterial road in Texarkana, United States. It follows approximately eleven miles of the Texas-Arkansas state line, and divides the city into two separate municipal units...
, at this time, the northbound lanes are in Arkansas; the southbound lanes are in Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. While on State Line Avenue, US 71 intersects Loop 14 before U.S. Route 59
U.S. Route 59
U.S. Route 59 is a north–south United States highway . A latecomer to the U.S. numbered route system, U.S. 59 is now a border-to-border route, Part of NAFTA Corridor Highway System. It parallels U.S. Route 75 for nearly its entire route, never much more than away, until it veers southwest...
joins US 71 at a full cloverleaf interchange
Cloverleaf interchange
A cloverleaf interchange is a two-level interchange in which left turns, reverse direction in left-driving regions, are handled by ramp roads...
with Interstate 30
Interstate 30
Interstate 30 is an Interstate Highway in the southern United States. I-30 runs from Interstate 20 west of Fort Worth, Texas, northeast via Dallas, Texas, and Texarkana, Texas, to Interstate 40 in North Little Rock, Arkansas. The route parallels U.S. Route 67 except for the portion west of...
.
From Arkansas Highway 296
Arkansas Highway 296
Highway 296 is a mostly east–west highway in southwestern Arkansas, USA.Section 1 begins at U.S. Route 71 & U.S. Route 59 at Texarkana. It travels east approximately ending at U.S. Route 67 northeast of Texarkana....
north of Texarkana to the Red River, US 71 runs concurrent
Concurrency (road)
A concurrency, overlap, or coincidence in a road network is an instance of one physical road bearing two or more different highway, motorway, or other route numbers...
with US 59 as an expressway. Except for the northbound lanes (which return to the Arkansas side just before the Red River), this section of 3.39 miles (5.5 km) is entirely in Texas.
The highways re-enter Arkansas (specifically Little River County, Arkansas
Little River County, Arkansas
Little River County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of 2010, the population was 13,171. The county seat is Ashdown. Little River County is Arkansas's 59th county, formed from Sevier County on March 5, 1867, and named for the Little River...
) completely at the Red River. US 71/US 59 serve as an eastern terminus for Highway 380 upon entering Ogden
Ogden, Arkansas
Ogden is a town in Little River County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 214 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Ogden is located at ....
. Although US 71/US 59 bypass the community as a four-lane highway, the route formerly served Ogden as Grand Street, which as of 2011 retains original 1926 US 71 paving for some of its length. Further north the routes pass under Highway 32, which skirts the southern part of Ashdown
Ashdown, Arkansas
Ashdown is a city in Little River County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 4,781 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Little River County.-Geography:Ashdown is located at ....
. Serving Little River's county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
as Constitution Avenue, the routes become a five-lane road with center turn lane which passes within two blocks of the Little River County Courthouse. The routes intersect Highway 32B and Highway 108
Arkansas Highway 108
Arkansas Highway 108 is a state highway composed of two segments in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Arkansas. The northern segment begins as a continuation of State Highway 87 near the extreme southeastern corner of Oklahoma. The northern segment ends at U.S. Highway 59 and U.S....
before exiting town headed due north to Wilton
Wilton, Arkansas
Wilton is a town in Little River County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 439 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Wilton is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all land.-Demographics:...
. Following the Kansas City Southern Railroad tracks, US 71/US 59 enters Wilton, where it passes the S. S. P. Mills and Son Building, Highway 234, and the Texarkana and Fort Smith Railway Depot. Just north of town a former alignment comes into view for a few miles before the Mills Cemetery and the Sevier County line.
US 59 continues through Lockesburg
Lockesburg, Arkansas
Lockesburg is a town in Sevier County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 711 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Lockesburg is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all land....
, DeQueen and Mena
Mena, Arkansas
Mena is a city in Polk County, Arkansas, United States. It is also the county seat of Polk County.It was founded by Arthur Edward Stilwell during the building of the Kansas City, Pittsburg and Gulf Railroad . It was Stilwell who decided Mena would be the name of this new town along the route to...
, finally leaving U.S. 71 at Acorn
Acorn, Arkansas
Acorn, Arkansas is an unincorporated town in Polk County, Arkansas, United States, approximately 6 miles north of Mena. The town is located at the junction of U.S. Route 59, U.S. Route 71 and U.S. Route 270 in the northern part of the county. Though Acorn is only a three-way junction, it marks the...
. In addition, U.S. Route 371
U.S. Route 371
U.S. Route 371 is a north–south United States highway in the U.S. states of Arkansas and Louisiana. The highway's northern terminus is in De Queen, Arkansas at an intersection with U.S. Highway 70. It is co-signed for its last between Lockesburg, Arkansas and DeQueen with U.S. Highway 59...
overlaps U.S. 71 & 59 for approximately 14 miles (22.5 km) from Lockesburg to DeQueen, joined by U.S. Route 70
U.S. Route 70
U.S. Route 70 is an east–west United States highway that runs for 2,385 miles from eastern North Carolina to east-central Arizona. As can be derived from its number, it is a major east–west highway of the Southern and Southwestern United States...
8 miles (12.9 km) east of DeQueen.
Between Acorn and Y City
Y City, Arkansas
Y City is an unincorporated community in Scott County, Arkansas, United States. It is located at the junction of U.S. Routes 71 and 270 in the southern part of the county.-References:...
, US 71 overlaps U.S. Route 270
U.S. Route 270
U.S. Route 270 is a spur of U.S. Route 70. It currently runs for 643 miles from Liberal, Kansas at U.S. Route 54 to White Hall, Arkansas at Interstate 530 and U.S. Route 65. It passes through the states of Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Kansas...
.
North of Acorn, US 71 passes through Waldron
Waldron, Arkansas
Waldron is a city in Scott County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 3,508 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Scott County.-Geography:Waldron is located at ....
, Mansfield
Mansfield, Arkansas
Mansfield is a city in Scott and Sebastian counties in the U.S. state of Arkansas. The Sebastian County portion of the city is part of the Fort Smith, Arkansas-Oklahoma Metropolitan Statistical Area...
and Greenwood
Greenwood, Arkansas
Greenwood is a city in and one of the two county seats of Sebastian County, Arkansas, United States, perhaps best known locally for its Arkansas high school football...
before intersecting with Interstate 540
Interstate 540
Interstate 540 may mean:*Interstate 540 , a spur to Fort Smith, Arkansas and Bentonville, Arkansas*Interstate 540 , an incomplete loop route in Raleigh, North Carolina...
on the south end of Fort Smith. US 71 overlaps I-540 approximately 12 miles (19.3 km) until it reaches Interstate 40
Interstate 40
Interstate 40 is the third-longest major east–west Interstate Highway in the United States, after I-90 and I-80. Its western end is at Interstate 15 in Barstow, California; its eastern end is at a concurrency of U.S. Route 117 and North Carolina Highway 132 in Wilmington, North Carolina...
, then follows I-40 6 miles to Alma
Alma, Arkansas
Alma is a city in Crawford County located in the western part of U.S. state of Arkansas, along I-40 about 13 miles from the Oklahoma border. Alma's population is 4,734, making it the sixth largest city in the Fort Smith, Arkansas-Oklahoma Metropolitan Statistical Area...
.
U.S. 71 passes through Mountainburg
Mountainburg, Arkansas
Mountainburg is a city in Crawford County, Arkansas, United States. It is part of the Fort Smith, Arkansas-Oklahoma Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 682 at the 2000 census....
, Winslow
Winslow, Arkansas
Winslow is a city in Washington County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 399 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers Metropolitan Area.-History:...
, West Fork
West Fork, Arkansas
West Fork is a city in Washington County, Arkansas, United States. The population is 2,317 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Fayetteville–Springdale–Rogers, AR-MO Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
and Greenland
Greenland, Arkansas
Greenland is a city in Washington County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 907 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Fayetteville–Springdale–Rogers, AR-MO Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
on its way to Fayetteville
Fayetteville, Arkansas
Fayetteville is the county seat of Washington County, and the third largest city in Arkansas. The city is centrally located within the county and is home to the University of Arkansas. Fayetteville is also deep in the Boston Mountains, a subset of The Ozarks...
. At Fayetteville, US 71 overlaps I-540 to Bentonville
Bentonville, Arkansas
Bentonville, Arkansas is a city in Northwest Bahamas, and county seat of Benton County, Arkansas, United States The population was 35,301 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Fayetteville–Springdale–Rogers, AR-MO Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, as well as U.S. Route 62
U.S. Route 62
U.S. Route 62 runs from the US-Mexico border at El Paso, Texas to Niagara Falls, New York, near the United States-Canada border. It is the only east-west US Route that connects Mexico and Canada.Parts of U.S...
.
North of Bentonville US 71 continues another 12 miles (19.3 km) passing through Bella Vista
Bella Vista, Arkansas
Bella Vista is a city in Benton County, Arkansas. It previously was the largest unincorporated community in the state of Arkansas; however, in November 2006 it voted to incorporate and form a municipality. The Bella Vista Property Owners Association estimates that there are currently 24,000...
to the Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
State Line.
Missouri
In Missouri, US 71 is a major north–south artery on the western side of the state, connecting JoplinJoplin, Missouri
Joplin is a city in southern Jasper County and northern Newton County in the southwestern corner of the US state of Missouri. Joplin is the largest city in Jasper County, though it is not the county seat. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 50,150...
with Kansas City
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
. Construction is in progress to upgrade US 71 to Interstate standards as a future extension of Interstate 49. On August 15, 2007, the final section of US 71 south of Kansas City to be completed to a 4-lane divided expressway was opened in McDonald County
McDonald County, Missouri
McDonald County is a county located in Southwest Missouri in the United States of America. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the population was 23,083. Its county seat is Pineville...
, between the cities of Lanagan
Lanagan, Missouri
Lanagan is a city in McDonald County, Missouri, in the United States. It is near Truitt's Cave. The population was 435 at the 2009 census, at which time it was a town...
and Jane
Jane, Missouri
Jane is a small village in McDonald County, Missouri, United States. It is located on Route 90 at the intersection with U.S. Route 71. The original settlement is about one mile east on an older alignment of US 71. It had been an unincorporated community for many years, and previously had the ZIP...
. In Kansas City, US 71 is one of the components of the Grandview Triangle
Grandview Triangle
The 3-Trails Crossing Memorial Highway is the official name for a highway interchange in south Kansas City, Missouri that was once considered one of Missouri's most congested locations. From the nickname, it may be assumed to be located in Grandview, Missouri, but it is actually north of...
interchange. Though US 71 is a freeway from Harrisonville
Harrisonville, Missouri
Harrisonville is a city in Cass County, Missouri, United States. The population was 10,019 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of CassCounty.Harrisonville was found in 1837, and was named for Congressman Albert G. Harrison...
almost to downtown Kansas City, there is a 2 miles (3.2 km) section near Swope Park that has three at-grade intersections. Ample right of way exists on the corridor to upgrade to a freeway, though there are no plans to do so in the near future. From downtown Kansas City, US 71 overlaps with Interstate 29 to Saint Joseph
Saint Joseph, Missouri
Saint Joseph is the second largest city in northwest Missouri, only second to Kansas City in size, serving as the county seat for Buchanan County. As of the 2010 census, Saint Joseph had a total population of 76,780, making it the eighth largest city in the state. The St...
. From there, US 71 continues as an expressway to Maryville
Maryville, Missouri
Maryville is a city in Nodaway County, Missouri, United States. The population was 10,581 at the 2000 census. The town, organized on February 14, 1845, was named for Mrs. Mary Graham, wife of Amos Graham, then the county clerk. Mary was the first Caucasian woman to have lived within the boundaries...
before angling towards Iowa just north of Clearmont
Clearmont, Missouri
Clearmont is a city in Nodaway County, Missouri, United States. The population was 191 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Clearmont is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land....
. In 2002, US 71 was four laned from Interstate 29, northwest of St. Joseph to Maryville. From there, until it enters Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
at Braddyville
Braddyville, Iowa
Braddyville is a city in Page County, Iowa, United States. The population was 176 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Braddyville's longitude and latitude coordinatesin decimal form are 40.578722, -95.029816...
, it continues to be the only remaining rural two lane section of this highway north of Kansas City.
US 71 overlaps Interstate 70 on the east side of downtown Kansas City's freeway loop
Downtown freeway loop (Kansas City)
The downtown loop, also nicknamed the "Alphabet Loop", is a complex layout of highways in downtown Kansas City, Missouri involving 23 exits, four Interstate Highways, four U.S. Highways and numerous city streets...
. US 71 then overlaps Interstate 35 and Interstate 29 for a segment which crosses the Missouri River
Missouri River
The Missouri River flows through the central United States, and is a tributary of the Mississippi River. It is the longest river in North America and drains the third largest area, though only the thirteenth largest by discharge. The Missouri's watershed encompasses most of the American Great...
via the Christopher S. Bond Bridge
Christopher S. Bond Bridge (Kansas City)
The Christopher S. Bond Bridge in Kansas City, Missouri is a cable-stayed bridge across the Missouri River. The bridge opened to limited traffic on September 27, 2010 and all lanes opened on December 18, 2010...
in Kansas City. It then continues concurrent with Interstate 29 after separating from Interstate 35 north of the Missouri River to just north of St. Joseph, Missouri where it diverges.
An alternative in the design of Interstate 29 called for it to follow US 71 on a more populated route through Maryville, Missouri
Maryville, Missouri
Maryville is a city in Nodaway County, Missouri, United States. The population was 10,581 at the 2000 census. The town, organized on February 14, 1845, was named for Mrs. Mary Graham, wife of Amos Graham, then the county clerk. Mary was the first Caucasian woman to have lived within the boundaries...
and Clarinda, Iowa
Clarinda, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 5,572 in the city, with a population density of . There were 2,180 housing units, of which 1,928 were occupied....
. However the interstate was to be routed along the more direct route to Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...
/Council Bluffs, Iowa
Council Bluffs, Iowa
Council Bluffs, known until 1852 as Kanesville, Iowathe historic starting point of the Mormon Trail and eventual northernmost anchor town of the other emigrant trailsis a city in and the county seat of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, United States and is on the east bank of the Missouri River across...
and more sparsely populated Missouri River bottoms.
During the Great Flood of 1993
Great Flood of 1993
The Great Mississippi and Missouri Rivers Flood of 1993 occurred in the American Midwest, along the Mississippi and Missouri rivers and their tributaries, from April to October 1993. The flood was among the most costly and devastating to ever occur in the United States, with $15 billion in damages...
, when the Missouri River flooded, I-29 traffic was detoured along US 71 through Maryville and Clarinda.
The four-lane segment between Savannah
Savannah, Missouri
Savannah is a city in Andrew County, Missouri, United States. The population was 4,762 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Andrew County.Savannah is part of the St...
to Maryville was completed in 2002. It is a two lane highway north of Maryville to the Iowa state line. The long delay in bringing a four-lane highway to Maryville even as most of the highway from Savannah south to the Arkansas line has been a four lanes for some time was a source of considerable irritation for Maryville and Northwest Missouri State University
Northwest Missouri State University
Northwest Missouri State University is a state university in Maryville, Missouri. Founded in 1905 as a teachers college, it offers both undergraduate and graduate programs. The campus, based on the design for Forest Park at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair, is the official Missouri State Arboretum....
.
Outlaws Bonnie and Clyde
Bonnie and Clyde
Bonnie Elizabeth Parker and Clyde Chestnut Barrow were well-known outlaws, robbers, and criminals who traveled the Central United States with their gang during the Great Depression. Their exploits captured the attention of the American public during the "public enemy era" between 1931 and 1934...
engaged in a shoot out with law enforcement officers in 1933 beside the highway at the Red Crown Tourist Court
Red Crown Tourist Court
The Red Crown Tavern and Red Crown Tourist Court in Platte County, Missouri was the site of the July 20, 1933 gun battle between lawmen and outlaws Bonnie and Clyde and three members of their gang. The outlaws made their escape, but would be tracked down and cornered four days later near Dexter,...
in Platte County, Missouri
Platte County, Missouri
As of the census of 2000, there were 73,781 people, 29,278 households, and 20,231 families residing in the county. The population density was 176 people per square mile . There were 30,902 housing units at an average density of 74 per square mile...
. The tourist court (which has been torn down) was just east of the main exit for Kansas City International Airport
Kansas City International Airport
Kansas City International Airport , originally named Mid-Continent International Airport, is a public airport located 15 miles northwest of the central business district of Kansas City, in Platte County, Missouri, United States. In 2008, 10,469,892 passengers used the airport...
on I-29.
Iowa
U.S. 71 passes through a rural section of western Iowa. It enters the state at BraddyvilleBraddyville, Iowa
Braddyville is a city in Page County, Iowa, United States. The population was 176 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Braddyville's longitude and latitude coordinatesin decimal form are 40.578722, -95.029816...
and junctions Interstate 80
Interstate 80
Interstate 80 is the second-longest Interstate Highway in the United States, following Interstate 90. It is a transcontinental artery running from downtown San Francisco, California to Teaneck, New Jersey in the New York City Metropolitan Area...
near Brayton
Brayton, Iowa
Brayton is a city in Audubon County, Iowa, United States, along the East Nishnabotna River. The population was 145 at the 2000 census.-History:In recent decades, Brayton's population has fallen; its 1950 population was 239.-Geography:...
, northeast of Atlantic
Atlantic, Iowa
Atlantic is a city in and the county seat of Cass County, Iowa, United States, located along the East Nishnabotna River. The population was 7,112 in the 2010 census, a decline from the 7,257 population in the 2000 census. -History:...
. North of I-80, U.S. 71 passes through Carroll
Carroll, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 10,103 in the city, with a population density of . There were 4,698 housing units, of which 4,357 were occupied....
, where it intersects U.S. Route 30
U.S. Route 30
U.S. Route 30 is an east–west main route of the system of United States Numbered Highways, with the highway traveling across the northern tier of the country. It is the third longest U.S. route, after U.S. Route 20 and U.S. Route 6. The western end of the highway is at Astoria, Oregon; the...
, and overlaps U.S. Route 20
U.S. Route 20
U.S. Route 20 is an east–west United States highway. As the "0" in its route number implies, US 20 is a coast-to-coast route. Spanning , it is the longest road in the United States, and the route sparsely parallels Interstate 90...
through Early
Early, Iowa
Early is a city in Sac County, Iowa, United States. The population was 605 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Early is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
and U.S. Route 18
U.S. Route 18
U.S. Route 18 is an east–west U.S. highway in the Midwestern United States. The western terminus is in Orin, Wyoming at an interchange with Interstate 25. Its eastern terminus of US 18 is in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin. However, US 18 runs concurrent with other U.S...
through Spencer
Spencer, Iowa
Spencer is a city in the state of Iowa , and the county seat of Clay County . It is located at the confluence of the Little Sioux and Ocheyedan Rivers. The population was 11,233 in the 2010 census, a decline from 11,317 in the 2000 census. Spencer is famous as the home of the Clay County Fair,...
. The highway crosses the Iowa Great Lakes
Iowa Great Lakes
The Iowa Great Lakes are a group of natural glacial lakes in Dickinson County in northwestern Iowa in the United States. The three principal lakes of the group are Spirit Lake, West Okoboji Lake, and East Okoboji Lake. They are the largest natural lakes in the state of Iowa. The largest, Spirit...
where West Okoboji
West Okoboji Lake
West Okoboji Lake is a natural body of water, approximately in area, in Dickinson County in northwest Iowa in the United States. It is part of the chain of lakes known as the Iowa Great Lakes. The area was long inhabited by the Santee or Dakota Sioux...
and East Okoboji Lake
East Okoboji Lake
East Okoboji Lake is a natural body of water, approximately 1,835 acres in area, in Dickinson County in northwest Iowa in the United States. It is part of the chain of lakes known as the Iowa Great Lakes. The area was long inhabited by the Santee or Eastern Dakota Sioux...
meet before exiting the state.
U.S. 71 formerly entered Storm Lake
Storm Lake, Iowa
Storm Lake is a city in Buena Vista County, Iowa, United States. The population was 10,600 in the 2010 census, an increase from 10,076 in the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Buena Vista County. Storm Lake is home to Buena Vista University, originally Buena Vista College...
concurrently with Iowa Highway 7 but was moved to a new alignment east of Storm Lake in 1996 to lessen travel time between Carroll and Spencer, the two largest communities on U.S. 71 in Iowa. A business route of U.S. 71 follows the highway's former alignment through Storm Lake.
A business route for U.S. 71 also passes through Clarinda
Clarinda, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 5,572 in the city, with a population density of . There were 2,180 housing units, of which 1,928 were occupied....
on a former alignment of U.S. 71.
Minnesota
As in Iowa, U.S. 71 in Minnesota is largely a rural highway. It crosses Interstate 90Interstate 90
Interstate 90 is the longest Interstate Highway in the United States at . It is the northernmost coast-to-coast interstate, and parallels US 20 for the most part. Its western terminus is in Seattle, at Edgar Martinez Drive S. near Safeco Field and CenturyLink Field, and its eastern terminus is in...
at Jackson
Jackson, Minnesota
Jackson is a city in Jackson County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 3,299 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Jackson County.-Geography:...
and passes through Windom
Windom, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 4,490 people, 1,910 households, and 1,195 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,263.6 people per square mile . There were 2,089 housing units at an average density of 587.9 per square mile...
,intersect U.S Highway 14 at Sanborn. It passes through Redwood Falls
Redwood Falls, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 5,459 people, 2,266 households, and 1,389 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,167.1 people per square mile . There were 2,377 housing units at an average density of 508.2 per square mile...
and Willmar
Willmar, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 18,351 people, 7,302 households, and 4,461 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,549.9 people per square mile . There were 7,789 housing units at an average density of 657.8 per square mile...
before its junction with Interstate 94
Interstate 94
Interstate 94 is the northernmost east–west Interstate Highway, connecting the Great Lakes and Intermountain regions of the United States. I-94's western terminus is in Billings, Montana at a junction with Interstate 90; its eastern terminus is the U.S...
at Sauk Centre
Sauk Centre, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,930 people, 1,616 households, and 1,042 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,057.2 people per square mile . There were 1,709 housing units at an average density of 459.7 per square mile...
From there, U.S. 71 passes through Long Prairie
Long Prairie, Minnesota
At the 2000 census, there were 3,040 people, 1,229 households and 769 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,285.2 per square mile . There were 1,334 housing units at an average density of 564.0 per square mile...
, Wadena
Wadena, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 4,294 people, 1,871 households, and 1,062 families residing in the city. The population density was 818.4 people per square mile . There were 1,964 housing units at an average density of 374.3 per square mile...
, and Park Rapids
Park Rapids, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,276 people, 1,476 households, and 788 families residing in the city. The population density was 547.5 people per square mile . There were 1,616 housing units at an average density of 270.1 per square mile...
before touching Itasca State Park
Itasca State Park
Itasca State Park is a state park of Minnesota, United States, and contains the headwaters of the Mississippi River. The park spans of northern Minnesota, and is located about north of Park Rapids, Minnesota and from Bagley, Minnesota...
, the source of the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
. It then crosses the Mississippi and is a major route for northern Minnesota as it goes around Bemidji
Bemidji, Minnesota
Bemidji is a city in Beltrami County, Minnesota, United States. Its population was at 13,431 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Beltrami County. Bemidji is the most major city in North Central Minnesota and the largest commercial center between Grand Forks, North Dakota and Duluth,...
(the "first city on the Mississippi") and angles northeast to its end at the Canadian border in International Falls
International Falls, Minnesota
International Falls is a city in and the county seat of Koochiching County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 6,424 at the 2010 census....
. On the Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
side, Highway 71 links the bridge to Highway 11 in Fort Frances.
The Minnesota section of U.S. 71 is defined as Routes 4 and 141 in Minnesota Statutes §§ 161.114(2) and 161.115(72).,
History
Until 1950, US 71 extended down the present-day route of U.S. Route 190U.S. Route 190
U.S. Route 190, also known as the Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway, is an east–west United States highway in Louisiana and Texas. It evolved from the shortest of intrastate routes in 1926 to a length comparable to a main Interstate Highway route, leading from the swamps and pine forests of...
to Port Allen, Louisiana
Port Allen, Louisiana
Port Allen is a city in and the parish seat of West Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, United States. Port Allen is located between Interstate 10 and US Highway 190 on the West bank of the Mississippi River. The population was 5,180 at the 2010 census...
near the state capitol, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Baton Rouge is the capital of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is located in East Baton Rouge Parish and is the second-largest city in the state.Baton Rouge is a major industrial, petrochemical, medical, and research center of the American South...
. Otherwise, the route is largely intact.
In northwest Arkansas, the 1926 alignment of US 71 followed Highway 102 from Bentonville
Bentonville, Arkansas
Bentonville, Arkansas is a city in Northwest Bahamas, and county seat of Benton County, Arkansas, United States The population was 35,301 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Fayetteville–Springdale–Rogers, AR-MO Metropolitan Statistical Area...
to Centerton
Centerton, Arkansas
Centerton is a city in Benton County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 9,515 at the 2010 census. A tornado destroyed 40 homes, damaged 150, and injured 12 people on March 12, 2006...
, then north on Highway 102 Business to Highway 72 southeast of Hiwasse
Hiwasse, Arkansas
Hiwasse is an unincorporated census-designated place in Benton County, Arkansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, its population is 497. It is the location of Hiwasse Bank Building, which is located at Main St., AR 279 and Banks House, which is located on AR 72 west of Hiwasse...
. From there, it followed Arkansas 72 to Gravette
Gravette, Arkansas
Gravette is a city in Benton County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 2,325 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Fayetteville–Springdale–Rogers, AR-MO Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
, where it turned north on Highway 59 to the Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
state line. In the 1930s, US 71 was rerouted along Arkansas 72 between Bentonville and Gravette, then north on Arkansas 59. This alignment lasted until the early 1960s when it was realigned along Highway 100 between Bentonville and the Missouri state line. In Missouri, the new US 71 replaced Route 88, which had been defined in 1922, while the old US 71 became Route 59.
In southern Louisiana, US 71 originally travelled south to Lebeau, Louisiana
Lebeau, Louisiana
Lebeau is a small unincorporated community in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana, United States, in the central part of the state. Nearby communities include Palmetto, Ville Platte and Washington. The community is part of the Opelousas–Eunice Micropolitan Statistical Area.Lebeau is the birthplace...
where it turned east, passing through Melville
Melville, Louisiana
Melville is a town in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 1,376 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Opelousas–Eunice Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Melville is located at ....
before turning south at Ravenswood then turning east at Rosedale
Rosedale, Louisiana
Rosedale is a village in Iberville Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 753 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Rosedale is located at ....
towards Baton Rouge.
This segment now generally follows Louisiana Highway 10
Louisiana Highway 10
Louisiana Highway 10 is a state highway in south-central Louisiana. It runs from west to east for . The western terminus is at the intersection of U.S. Route 171 in Pickering, Louisiana in Vernon Parish near Fort Polk and the eastern terminus is in Bogalusa at Pearl River and the Louisiana line...
between Lebeau and Ravenswood, Louisiana Highway 77
Louisiana Highway 77
-Route description:Louisiana Highway 77, or LA 77, travels southward from LA 10 near the old Melville Ferry roadway in Pointe Coupee Parish through Fordoche and Livonia. In Iberville Parish, it is the primary route from Plaquemine to the northern communities of Maringouin, Rosedale, and Grosse Tete...
between Ravenswood and Rosedale, and Louisiana Highway 76
Louisiana Highway 76
-Route description:LA 76 passes through Iberville and West Baton Rouge Parishes and runs from Louisiana Highway 77 in Maringouin to Louisiana Highway 1 in Port Allen. From the junction with Louisiana Highway 3000 near Ramah to Louisiana Highway 415 near Port Allen High School, the two lane highway...
to Baton Rouge.
In 2010, the historic highway was remembered in song on the Highway 71 CD by folk band 3 Penny Acre.
Future
A large section of U.S. 71 through Missouri, Arkansas and Louisiana is being upgraded to Interstate standards as an extension of Interstate 49 from Shreveport, LouisianaShreveport, Louisiana
Shreveport is the third largest city in Louisiana. It is the principal city of the fourth largest metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana and is the 109th-largest city in the United States....
to Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
. For more, see Interstate 49
Interstate 49
Interstate 49 is currently an intrastate Interstate Highway located entirely within the state of Louisiana in the southern United States. Its southern terminus is in Lafayette, Louisiana, at Interstate 10 while its northern terminus is in Shreveport, Louisiana, at Interstate 20.-Route...
, Interstate 540 (Arkansas)
Interstate 540 (Arkansas)
Interstate 540 in Arkansas is a spur of Interstate 40 between Fort Smith and Northwest Arkansas; the Northwest Arkansas segment is proposed to become part of an expanded Interstate 49. I-540 provides an Interstate Highway path between Fayetteville and Little Rock via Interstate 40. This links the...
(completed from Alma to Bentonville), and Arkansas Highway 549 (completed from Texarkana to just north of Louisiana state line).
Major intersections
- U.S. Highway 53 in International Falls, MN
- U.S. Highway 2 in Bemidji, MN
- U.S. Highway 10 in Wadena, MN
- Interstate 94Interstate 94Interstate 94 is the northernmost east–west Interstate Highway, connecting the Great Lakes and Intermountain regions of the United States. I-94's western terminus is in Billings, Montana at a junction with Interstate 90; its eastern terminus is the U.S...
and U.S. 52 in Sauk Centre, MN - U.S. Highway 12 in Willmar, MN
- U.S. Highway 14 in Sanborn, MN
- Interstate 90Interstate 90Interstate 90 is the longest Interstate Highway in the United States at . It is the northernmost coast-to-coast interstate, and parallels US 20 for the most part. Its western terminus is in Seattle, at Edgar Martinez Drive S. near Safeco Field and CenturyLink Field, and its eastern terminus is in...
in Jackson, MN - Interstate 80Interstate 80Interstate 80 is the second-longest Interstate Highway in the United States, following Interstate 90. It is a transcontinental artery running from downtown San Francisco, California to Teaneck, New Jersey in the New York City Metropolitan Area...
near Atlantic, IA - Interstate 29, Interstate 35, and Interstate 70 in Kansas City, MO
- U.S. Route 56 in Kansas City, MO
- U.S. Route 54 in Nevada, MO
- Interstate 44 in Joplin, MO
- U.S. Highway 62 East in Rogers, AR
- U.S. Highway 412 in Springdale, AR
- U.S. Highway 62 West in Fayetteville, AR
- Interstate 40Interstate 40Interstate 40 is the third-longest major east–west Interstate Highway in the United States, after I-90 and I-80. Its western end is at Interstate 15 in Barstow, California; its eastern end is at a concurrency of U.S. Route 117 and North Carolina Highway 132 in Wilmington, North Carolina...
in Alma, AR - U.S. Highway 59 in Acorn, AR
- U.S. Highway 70 in DeQueen, AR
- U.S. Highway 67 in Texarkana, AR/TX
- U.S. Highway 82 in Texarkana, AR/TX
- Interstate 30Interstate 30Interstate 30 is an Interstate Highway in the southern United States. I-30 runs from Interstate 20 west of Fort Worth, Texas, northeast via Dallas, Texas, and Texarkana, Texas, to Interstate 40 in North Little Rock, Arkansas. The route parallels U.S. Route 67 except for the portion west of...
in Texarkana AR/TX - Interstate 20Interstate 20Interstate 20 is a major east–west Interstate Highway in the Southern United States. I‑20 runs 1,535 miles from near Kent, Texas, at Interstate 10 to Florence, South Carolina, at Interstate 95...
in Shreveport, LA - Interstate 49Interstate 49Interstate 49 is currently an intrastate Interstate Highway located entirely within the state of Louisiana in the southern United States. Its southern terminus is in Lafayette, Louisiana, at Interstate 10 while its northern terminus is in Shreveport, Louisiana, at Interstate 20.-Route...
in Alexandria, LA - U.S. Highway 84 East in Clarence, LA
- U.S. Highway 84 West in Coushatta, LA
- U.S. Highway 79 in Shreveport, LA
- U.S. Highway 80 in Shreveport, LA
Auxiliary and suffixed routes
U.S. 71 has 14 bannered routes, and has had more in the past. Decommissioned routes are shown in italics.- U.S. Route 71 Business in Willmar, MinnesotaWillmar, MinnesotaAs of the census of 2000, there were 18,351 people, 7,302 households, and 4,461 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,549.9 people per square mile . There were 7,789 housing units at an average density of 657.8 per square mile...
- U.S. Route 71 Business in Storm Lake, IowaStorm Lake, IowaStorm Lake is a city in Buena Vista County, Iowa, United States. The population was 10,600 in the 2010 census, an increase from 10,076 in the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Buena Vista County. Storm Lake is home to Buena Vista University, originally Buena Vista College...
- U.S. Route 71 Business in Clarinda, IowaClarinda, Iowa-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 5,572 in the city, with a population density of . There were 2,180 housing units, of which 1,928 were occupied....
- U.S. Route 71 Business in Maryville, MissouriMaryville, MissouriMaryville is a city in Nodaway County, Missouri, United States. The population was 10,581 at the 2000 census. The town, organized on February 14, 1845, was named for Mrs. Mary Graham, wife of Amos Graham, then the county clerk. Mary was the first Caucasian woman to have lived within the boundaries...
- U.S. Route 71 Business in St Joseph, Missouri
- U.S. Route 71 Business in Kansas City, MissouriKansas City, MissouriKansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
- U.S. Route 71 Business in Nevada, MissouriNevada, MissouriNevada is a city in Vernon County, Missouri, United States. The population was 8,327 at the 2011 census. It is the county seat of Vernon County. Nevada is the home of Cottey College, a junior college for women operated by the P.E.O. Sisterhood....
- U.S. Route 71 Alternate from Carthage, MissouriCarthage, MissouriCarthage is a city in Jasper County, Missouri, United States. The population was 14,378 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Jasper County and is nicknamed "America's Maple Leaf City."...
to Neosho, MissouriNeosho, MissouriNeosho is the most populous city in and the county seat of Newton County, Missouri, United States. Neosho is an integral part of the Joplin, Missouri Metropolitan Statistical Area.... - U.S. Route 71 Business from Carthage, MissouriCarthage, MissouriCarthage is a city in Jasper County, Missouri, United States. The population was 14,378 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Jasper County and is nicknamed "America's Maple Leaf City."...
to Tipton Ford, MissouriTipton Ford, MissouriTipton Ford is a small unincorporated community in Newton County, Missouri, United States, and located at the intersection of U.S. Route 71 and Route 175. Some businesses, a few homes, and a fire station are located here.... - U.S. Route 71 Business in Neosho, MissouriNeosho, MissouriNeosho is the most populous city in and the county seat of Newton County, Missouri, United States. Neosho is an integral part of the Joplin, Missouri Metropolitan Statistical Area....
- U.S. Route 71 Business from Goodman, MissouriGoodman, MissouriGoodman is a city in McDonald County, Missouri, United States. The population was 1,282 at the 2000 census, at which time it was a town. It is part of the Fayetteville–Springdale–Rogers, AR-MO Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
to Anderson, MissouriAnderson, MissouriAnderson is a city in McDonald County, Missouri, United States. The population was 2,089 at the 2009 census. It is part of the Fayetteville–Springdale–Rogers, AR-MO Metropolitan Statistical Area.... - U.S. Route 71 Business in Pineville, MissouriPineville, MissouriPineville is a city in and the county seat of McDonald County, Missouri, United States. The population was 916 at the 2009 census, at which time it was a town. It is part of the Fayetteville–Springdale–Rogers, AR-MO Metropolitan Statistical Area....
and Anderson, MissouriAnderson, MissouriAnderson is a city in McDonald County, Missouri, United States. The population was 2,089 at the 2009 census. It is part of the Fayetteville–Springdale–Rogers, AR-MO Metropolitan Statistical Area.... - U.S. Route 71 Business in Northwest Arkansas
- U.S. Route 71 Business in Bentonville, ArkansasBentonville, ArkansasBentonville, Arkansas is a city in Northwest Bahamas, and county seat of Benton County, Arkansas, United States The population was 35,301 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Fayetteville–Springdale–Rogers, AR-MO Metropolitan Statistical Area...
- U.S. Route 71 Business in Fort Smith, ArkansasFort Smith, ArkansasFort Smith is the second-largest city in Arkansas and one of the two county seats of Sebastian County. With a population of 86,209 in 2010, it is the principal city of the Fort Smith, Arkansas-Oklahoma Metropolitan Statistical Area, a region of 298,592 residents which encompasses the Arkansas...
- U.S. Route 71 Business in Waldron, ArkansasWaldron, ArkansasWaldron is a city in Scott County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 3,508 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Scott County.-Geography:Waldron is located at ....
- U.S. Route 71 Business in Alexandria, LouisianaAlexandria, LouisianaAlexandria is a city in and the parish seat of Rapides Parish, Louisiana, United States. It lies on the south bank of the Red River in almost the exact geographic center of the state. It is the principal city of the Alexandria metropolitan area which encompasses all of Rapides and Grant parishes....
- U.S. Route 71 Bypass in Kansas City, MissouriKansas City, MissouriKansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
- U.S. Route 71 Bypass in Alexandria, LouisianaAlexandria, LouisianaAlexandria is a city in and the parish seat of Rapides Parish, Louisiana, United States. It lies on the south bank of the Red River in almost the exact geographic center of the state. It is the principal city of the Alexandria metropolitan area which encompasses all of Rapides and Grant parishes....
- U.S. Route 71 Bypass in Platte City, MissouriPlatte City, MissouriPlatte City is a city in Platte County, Missouri, along the Little Platte River. The population was 3,866 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Platte County.-Geography:Platte City is located at...