U.S. Route 65: Branson to Arkansas – Missouri

Take a high-speed plunge from the entertainment capital of the Ozarks into the quiet hills of the Missouri–Arkansas border as we travel U.S. Route 65 from Branson to the Natural State. This 11-mile drive showcases the dramatic transition from bustling tourism to tranquil countryside, all along a route that’s as much about motion as it is about contrast. Our journey begins at the junction of MO-76 just west of downtown Branson, where the echoes of live music and the glow of theater marquees fade behind us and we merge onto the southbound lanes of US-65, a well-developed expressway built to keep the city’s pulse moving.

As we climb out of Branson proper, the divided highway sweeps us past the Taney County Airport and through the bluff-lined town of Hollister. Here, steep hills frame the corridor and the scenery remains touched by the city’s orbit—billboards advertising dinner shows and scenic train rides are still visible, though thinning out with each mile. Interchanges keep traffic flowing swiftly until we reach the junction with MO-265, where a jarring at-grade intersection briefly disrupts the rhythm of the route. This spot marks the true southern fringe of the Branson metro area, where suburban development gives way to the hardwood hills and open pastureland that signal the Ozarks are reclaiming the landscape.

South of MO-265, the drive becomes more pastoral. Wooded slopes rise and fall gently along the highway, with occasional glimpses of small homesteads and wide pastures. As we approach Ridgedale, the intersection with MO-86 serves as the last major crossroad in Missouri. Ridgedale is a tiny community perched near Table Rock Lake and home to Big Cedar Lodge, a high-end wilderness resort developed by Bass Pro Shops’ founder Johnny Morris. Though not visible from the highway, this area draws visitors seeking rustic luxury and outdoor adventure. The surrounding terrain becomes more rugged and wild, with thick forest crowding closer to the road and steep cuts in the rock reminding us we’re nearing the border.

Crossing into Arkansas, US-65 heads toward the town of Omaha. While our video ends at the state line, the transition is palpable—Missouri’s structured highway system gives way to the winding, wooded approach typical of the Arkansas Ozarks. It’s a fitting finale for a short but scenic trip, one that compresses the showbiz energy of Branson, the rural beauty of Ridgedale, and the natural majesty of the state line into just a few sweeping miles. Whether you’re headed south for adventure or returning north with memories in tow, this stretch of US-65 sets the tone beautifully.