Length 23.72 km | Counties: Phillips | |
East end: AR 44 south of Helena-West Helena | ||
Arkansas Highway 242 (AR 242, Hwy. 242) is an east–west state highway in Phillips County, Arkansas. The route of 14.74 miles (23.72 km) runs from Highway 44 near Helena-West Helena north through the city and through the St. Francis National Forest to Highway 1 near Lexa. A segment of the route is part of the Mississippi River Trail, essentially a bicycle-friendly version of the Great River Road.
Contents
Map of AR-242, Lexa, AR 72355, USA
Route description
Highway 242 begins at Highway 44 south of Helena-West Helena and runs north to enter the city. The route intersects US 49 (Martin Luther King Jr. Drive), a four-lane divided highway, at an at-grade intersection in the south part of the city. Highway 242 continues east to intersect Highway 185 before turning due north toward the center of town. The route forms a concurrency with US 49B for 0.1 miles (0.16 km) along Plaza Avenue. The route then turns north becoming 4th Street and passes the Denison House, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Exiting Helena-West Helena, Highway 242 continues north to intersect Highway 185 and enter the St. Francis National Forest. The route intersects its only spur route in the forest prior to curving due west to Lexa. Serving as 1st Street in Lexa the highway passes the post office before terminating at Highway 1 just west of Lexa.
Beginning from the end of the US 49B concurrency to Highway 1, the route is designated as part of the Mississippi River Trail, a 3,000 miles (4,800 km) bike route from New Orleans to Minnesota along the Mississippi River.
Major intersections
Mile markers reset at concurrencies. The entire route is in Phillips County.
Spur route
Arkansas Highway 242 Spur (AR 242S, Hwy. 242S, or Storm Creek Road) is a spur route in the St. Francis National Forest. It is 0.11 miles (0.18 km) in length.