Ferndale Cut-Off: Congo to Ferndale – Arkansas

Heading north out of the rural community of Congo, Arkansas, we follow the Ferndale Cut-Off for just over 6 miles as it winds its way through peaceful countryside toward the unincorporated area of Ferndale. This lightly traveled road is a hidden gem for anyone who enjoys a quiet backroad drive through central Arkansas’s rolling terrain. Our journey begins at the intersection of Steel Bridge Road and Ferndale Cut-Off, just outside the Benton area in Saline County. As we pull away from Congo, we’re immediately surrounded by open farmland, with scattered barns and livestock dotting the landscape. It’s the kind of road that feels like a step back in time—no strip malls or big developments here, just wide skies and the occasional tractor passing by.

As we travel farther north, the road subtly shifts in character. Large agricultural fields give way to more wooded areas, with clusters of pine and hardwood trees lining the shoulders. Here and there, you’ll pass modest homesteads tucked beneath the trees, many of them set well back from the road. Despite its rural feel, this corridor isn’t entirely isolated. A handful of side roads branch off toward newer subdivisions and country estates, hinting at the quiet growth creeping into the area from nearby Little Rock and Benton. Wildlife sightings are common along this stretch—especially in the early morning or evening—so drivers should stay alert for deer and wild turkeys crossing the road.

Approaching Ferndale, the scenery becomes more wooded, and the terrain gently undulates as the road rises and falls with the lay of the land. There’s a feeling of calm here, where life moves at a slower pace. Eventually, we reach the northern end of the Ferndale Cut-Off at Colonel Glenn Road—an east-west corridor that connects Ferndale with the western edges of Little Rock. This intersection marks the end of the video, but for travelers looking to continue their drive, turning east on Colonel Glenn leads toward I-430 and the city, while heading north offers more pastoral views as you head into Ferndale. Whether you’re commuting, exploring, or just enjoying a Sunday cruise, this stretch of road from Congo to Ferndale is a great example of Arkansas’s understated backroad beauty.

Yes, we know the title card is incorrect.