
U.S. 65 extends 100.77 miles into Louisiana from the southeastern corner of Arkansas to the town of Clayton. Generally following the course of the Mississippi River, U.S. 65 joins the East Carroll Parish seat of Lake Providence with the Madison Parish seat of Tallulah. Continuing south from Interstate 20, U.S. 65 leads to the towns of Newellton and Waterproof in Tensas Parish. The southernmost extent of the highway angles southwest to U.S. 425/LA 25 in Clayton.
With the extension of U.S. 425 south from Bastrop to Natchez, Mississippi approved by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) in 2005, U.S. 65 was eliminated from Clayton south to U.S. 61 in Mississippi. U.S. 425 was lengthened south in an effort to connect the Capitol cities of Louisiana and Arkansas via a single U.S. route. U.S. 65 was truncated northward to eliminate the duplication with U.S. 425.
Historically, U.S. 65 continued south from Natchez, Mississippi back into Louisiana to New Orleans. The Louisiana Department of Highways petitioned the American Association of State Highway Officials (AASHO) for the revision of U.S. 11, U.S. 51, U.S. 65 and U.S. 71 to eliminate long overlaps. The change for U.S. 65 outlined in a letter dated June 1, 1951:
Terminate this route at the junction of US 84 in Ferriday rather than in downtown New Orleans thus eliminated 151 miles of dual marking in Louisiana (including the 11 miles by-pass at Baton Rouge) and 44 miles in Mississippi
The by-pass route of US 65 at Baton Rouge would be removed entirely from the log.
AASHO tentatively approved the change on October 21, 1951, needing correspondence from the Mississippi State Highway Department. Mississippi requested on November 29, 1951 that Louisiana consider moving the south end of U.S. 65 to a bypass that was under construction around Natchez. The adjustment was approved by AASHO on December 4, 1951. The Mississippi Highway Commission concurred with the change on December 11, 1951.


U.S. 65 begins from the southbound roadway taking U.S. 425/LA 15 through the town of Clayton.
10/03/21

The first confirming marker for U.S. 65 north stands just beyond the intersection with U.S. 425/LA 15 northbound.
10/03/21

The Tensas Parish seat of St. Joseph lies 25 miles to the north off U.S. 65 via LA 128. U.S. 65 intersects LA 4 east into Newellton in 31.2 miles.
10/03/21

LA 900 parallels U.S. 425 south to Red Gum before turning southeast to LA 568 at Lake Concordia.
10/03/21


65.67 miles in length, LA 134 travels south to Epps and west to Oak Ridge and U.S. 165 at Sterlington.
05/07/12

LA 883-2 lines Gould Boulevard south 0.57 miles through the Lake Providence street grid to LA 883-1 (4th Street).
05/07/12

LA 596 loops north from Lake Providence to the state line across From Pittman Island and west to U.S. 65 at Panola.
05/07/12

U.S. 65 partitions into a couplet of Scarborough Street south and Sparrow Street north through the Lake Providence business district.
05/07/12

LA 883-1 (4th Street) runs 1.82 miles west across the street grid to LA 134 outside of Lake Providence.
05/07/12

U.S. 65 partitions into the couplet of Chestnut Street south and Cedar Street north just ahead of the Tallulah city limits.
05/07/12

Paralleling Interstate 20 to the north, U.S. 80 generally serves local traffic west to Delhi and east to Mound.
05/07/12

The Madison Parish Courthouse lies between Chestnut and Cedar Streets along U.S. 80 (Green Street).
05/07/12

LA 601 leads 1.71 miles south from U.S. 65 in Tallulah to the north I-20 frontage road in the village of Richmond.
05/07/12

LA 3202 (Felicia Drive) connects U.S. 65 with LA 601 (Crothers Drive) along the Richmond village line, 1.17 miles to the east.
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U.S. 65 proceeds south from LA 3202 into a diamond interchange (Exit 171) with Interstate 20.
05/07/12

Interstate 20 travels west across northern Louisiana from Tallulah to Monroe, Ruston, Minden and Shreveport.
05/07/12

Continuing south into the town of Clayton, U.S. 65 meets LA 900 south ahead of U.S. 425/LA 15.
10/03/21

U.S. 425/LA 15 constitute a four lane highway north from Clayton to Sicily Island, Winnsboro and Archibald.
10/03/21
Photo Credits:
- 06/12/04 by AARoads and Justin Cozart.
- 05/07/12 by AARoads.
- 10/03/21 by AARoads.
Connect with:
Interstate 20
U.S. 425
Page Updated 06-23-2023.