Starting our journey in Des Arc, you’ll quickly notice that this historic river town has roots going back to the 1800s. Nestled along the banks of the White River, Des Arc offers a classic downtown area and riverfront parks—worth a quick stop if you have the time. As we head west, AR-38 leaves the edges of Des Arc behind and enters the wide, open spaces that define much of Prairie County. The first leg of the drive is characterized by big skies, fields of soybeans and rice, and the kind of two-lane blacktop that makes you want to slow down and enjoy the view. After about 3 miles, we reach Fourmile Corner—a classic crossroads—where AR-11 heads south, but we stay the course by turning right to continue on Highway 38.
Continuing northwest, the community of Johnson Chapel appears—a spot that’s more a cluster of homes and churches than a formal town, but it’s a reminder of the deep roots and traditions in this part of Arkansas. If you’re out here during planting or harvest season, you’ll likely see the fields alive with activity and maybe catch a glimpse of local wildlife like deer or hawks riding the thermals above the fields. Just past Johnson Chapel, we intersect with AR-86, and shortly after that, we roll into Hickory Plains. Hickory Plains is a small town, but it’s been a hub for local farmers for generations. There’s a little country store if you want a quick snack or a break from the road, and a handful of old buildings hint at the town’s history as a stop on the cotton and grain routes.
From Hickory Plains, we briefly angle southwest to cross Arkansas Highway 13 before turning west again just outside of town. This stretch of Highway 38 runs through Butlerville, another rural community anchored by farming and small-town life. Butlerville may be tiny, but it’s a typical example of the towns dotting Arkansas’s highway network—quiet, friendly, and surrounded by the land that sustains it. Soon, we approach a four-way controlled intersection with Arkansas Highway 31. If you’re a fan of old-school road trips, intersections like this are what it’s all about: crossroads of local life, where you might spot a tractor rolling through or catch a local high school football game in the distance.
Staying straight on AR-38, we skirt the edges of Sylvania—a spot that’s more of a name on the map than a bustling town, but still full of Arkansas charm. As the highway meets the northern terminus of AR-321, you’re getting closer to more developed areas, but the landscape still feels wide open. The drive continues west into Ward, where you’ll cross AR-319. Ward is a fast-growing town, with new neighborhoods popping up and convenient places to stop for food or fuel. It’s a nice transition from the open farmland to the fringes of the Little Rock metro area.
Leaving Ward, the highway makes a short run before turning northwest, guiding us into Cabot at the intersection with Lincoln Street. This final approach brings us over a railroad overpass and into the heart of Cabot—a city that’s become a popular suburb for commuters to Little Rock, but still holds onto its own sense of identity. The route concludes at the intersection with Arkansas Highway 367. If you want to explore further, Cabot offers plenty of modern amenities, parks, and dining options, making it a solid endpoint (or launching point) for your Arkansas road trip.
🎵 Music:
I will Not Let You Let Me Down
Josh Woodward – https://joshwoodward.com
Where Would I Be
April McLean Moore – http://jonnyhoulihan.com
Just Like You
Dawn Beyer – https://www.therealnashville.com/
Good Side of Lonely
Justin & Jamie – https://justinandjamie.com
Never Have to Say Goodbye feat. Jonny Houlihan
Brittany Clarke – https://open.spotify.com/artist/2rdDjJeRxvrUjY5yYONWjY
What’s Next
Trout Recording – http://www.troutrecording.com/
Heartbreak Highway
The Sheen – https://open.spotify.com/artist/04q9my3OfdELvQdbmfoo9F
Pretending is a Drug
Airlands – https://theairlands.com
Neoned
Black Box – https://blackboxnorth.com
🗺️ Route Map
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