Join us as we drive 46 miles south along U.S. Highway 65 from the Arkansas state line to Tallulah, Louisiana — a route that cuts through the heart of northeastern Louisiana’s rich delta farmland and bayou country. While the scenery may be peaceful and pastoral, drivers beware: this stretch of road is heavily patrolled, and the posted 55 mph speed limit is strictly enforced.
We begin our journey just south of the Arkansas border, entering Louisiana near the unincorporated community of Millikin. From here, U.S. 65 runs due south through a quiet, rural landscape marked by cotton fields, drainage canals, and the occasional grain silo. In Shelburn, a scattering of homes and local businesses provides a brief taste of life in rural East Carroll Parish before we veer east at the intersection with LA-2.
Heading into Lake Providence, the largest town along this route, we follow a brief one-way couplet through the town center. Lake Providence itself sits alongside the oxbow lake that shares its name, a former channel of the Mississippi River. If you have time, a quick detour to the lakefront offers peaceful views and access to the Louisiana State Cotton Museum — a small but insightful stop that captures the agricultural roots of the region.
Once we rejoin US-65 southbound, we leave Lake Providence behind and continue our descent through a line of small delta towns. We pass through Wilman and make a brief pause in the charmingly named community of Transylvania, famous for its Dracula-themed general store and vampire signs — a fun, kitschy stop for travelers who enjoy roadside oddities.
Continuing south through Alstatia and Sondheimer, the landscape remains largely unchanged: flat, fertile, and wide open. These towns are small and spaced out, with little more than a few farmhouses, churches, and grain elevators dotting the roadside. While there’s not a lot of development, this part of the Mississippi Alluvial Plain holds historical and ecological significance, offering a true look at the rural American South.
Eventually, we reach Tallulah, the parish seat of Madison Parish. As we enter town, the density of traffic and businesses picks up slightly. U.S. 65 meets Interstate 20 here, marking the end of our route. From this interchange, you can head west toward Monroe or east across the Mississippi River into Vicksburg, Mississippi.
⚠️ A word of caution: This entire stretch of U.S. 65 — from the Arkansas state line all the way to I-20 — has a strictly enforced 55 mph speed limit, and local law enforcement takes that seriously. We saw multiple patrol cars during our drive, and many of them were already busy pulling people over. The road itself is straight and open, which might tempt you to go a little faster, but it’s best to keep it steady and safe to avoid a costly ticket in this notoriously heavy-enforcement zone.
🗺️ Route Map
0 Comments