Arkansas Highway 1

McGehee to Back Gate

Highway 1 begins at US 278 in downtown McGehee and runs northwest (along the Union Pacific Railroad tracks) for three blocks before turning northeast at an intersection with Highway 159.^[3] The route continues across US 65/US 165 and exits town in a northeastern direction, passing McGehee High School. Highway 1 meets Highway 4, which runs south to Arkansas City before curving north to Rohwer, which was a Japanese American internment camp during World War II.^[4] Highway 1 passes the Kemp Cotton Gin Historic District, Rowher Relocation Center, and Rohwer Relocation Center Memorial Cemetery. Continuing north, Highway 1 ceases following the railroad at Watson and runs west to US 165 at Back Gate, where it terminates.

DeWitt to Marvell

The route begins at US 165 and Highway 1B in DeWitt and runs east.^[5] Highway 1 bypasses southeast DeWitt, and after meeting the northern terminus of Highway 1B, continues northeast. The route runs east through St. Charles before entering Monroe County, where it meets Highway 1S. This spur enters St. Charles, and terminates near the site of the Battle of Saint Charles on the White River.^[6]

Highway 1 enters southern Monroe County briefly. At Cross Roads, the route is the southern terminus of Highway 17.^[7] Highway 1 has a junction with Highway 39 and Highway 316 east of Turner. The route continues northeast to US 49 in Marvell, where it terminates.^[8]

Walnut Corner to Missouri

The route begins at US 49 and Highway 85 at Walnut Corner and runs north.^[8] At the corner, Highway 1 turns north past the Richardson-Turner House and enters Lee County. The route has a junction with Highway 121 at Cypress Corner and continues north to Marianna.^[9]

In Marianna, Highway 1 breaks west from Highway 1B, which runs downtown through Marianna. After Highway 1B rejoins the main route, there is a 0.2 miles (0.32 km) concurrency north with US 79.^[10] Further north, Highway 1 passes Lee County Senior High and becomes four lanes briefly until Forrest City.^[1] Upon entering St. Francis County, Highway 1 enters Forrest City. The business route runs downtown, while the main route skirts the southwest edge of town. There is a parclo interchange with US 70 and an interchange with Interstate 40 (I-40).^[11] The business route meets Highway 1 in north Forrest City, and Highway 1 enters Caldwell and Colt before entering Cross County.^[12] South of Caldwell, Highway 1 is near the historic Little Telico Creek Bridge, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Highway 1 enters Wynne in Cross County. The highway has a junction with US 64, Highway 284, Highway 980, and US 64 Business, and also passes near Wynne High School.^[13] The highway continues north to Vanndale and Cherry Valley before entering Poinsett County.^[13] The route passes through marshes in southern Poinsett County before entering Harrisburg. Throughout the county, Highway 1 is paralleled by Highway 163 approximately 2.5 miles (4.0 km) to the east and US 49 approximately 10 miles (16 km) to the west, with the Union Pacific Railroad also near.^[14] Highway 1 passes the Bacon Hotel in south Poinsett County near Whitehall, and also passes the historic Modern News Building in downtown Harrisburg.

Entering Craighead County, Highway 1 enters Jonesboro from the south. After intersecting Highway 163, the route intersects I-555 (concurrent at that freeway portion with US 49).^[15][16] Highway 1 becomes concurrent north with US 49 (and later US 62) until Piggott

The route leaves US 62 (Crowley's Ridge Parkway) in Piggott and runs east to the Missouri state line, where it continues as Supplemental Route BB.^[17]