U.S. Route 71

U.S. Route 71 is a major north–south U.S. Highway stretching from the Gulf Coast of Louisiana to the central plains of Minnesota. Spanning approximately 1,532 miles, this route plays a vital role in connecting small towns, mid-sized cities, and rural communities across seven states: Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Kansas, and Texas (via a short concurrency near Texarkana). Originally established in 1926 as part of the original U.S. Highway System, US 71 has evolved with the expansion of the Interstate system, but still maintains its identity as a key regional corridor.

The southern terminus of US 71 lies in Port Barre, Louisiana, where it begins its journey northward. It passes through major cities such as Shreveport, Louisiana; Fort Smith, Arkansas; Joplin, Missouri; and Kansas City, Missouri. In some regions, US 71 runs concurrently with Interstate highways—most notably with I-49 in Louisiana, Arkansas, and Missouri. This pairing has helped improve travel speeds and safety in areas where traffic demand has outgrown the original two-lane alignment.

In the northern states, US 71 takes on a more scenic and rural character, traveling through rolling farmlands and wooded areas of Iowa and Minnesota. It ends in International Falls, Minnesota, just a short distance from the Canadian border. Although segments have been bypassed or absorbed into newer highways over the decades, many stretches of US 71 still offer a nostalgic and practical drive through the heart of America’s central corridor.