National Starting Point: Unclear. See
below.
National Ending Point: Albert Lea, MN, at Exit 12 on I-35
Total Distance: See below.
States: LA, MS, AR, MO, IA, MN
Mississippi Starting Point: Louisiana border south of Woodville, MS
Mississippi Ending Point: Louisiana border at Natchez, MS
Mississippi Distance: 44.5 miles
Mississippi Counties: Wilkinson, Adams
Cities/towns over 5,000 pop served: Natchez
Multiplexes:
42.0 miles with US 61 from the Louisiana border to Natchez (US 65 is unsigned
here)
2.5 miles with US 84 in Natchez
NHS: Entire length
Freeway Segments: None
Other Multilane Segments:
From just south of the Buffalo River in Wilkinson County north through Natchez to the
Louisiana line.
Average Daily Traffic: Ranges from 3,900 south of Woodville to 24,000 in Natchez.
Starting Point Notes:
It's unclear as to exactly where US 65 begins nationally, as I've found conflicting
sources. Originally, US 65 duplexed with US 61 all the way down to New Orleans.
Then it was scaled back to Baton Rouge. Now it's unclear where it begins.
According to MDOT, US 65 is duplexed with US 61 south of Natchez and all the way
down to Baton Rouge. However, according to LA DOTD, there is no US 61/US 65 duplex.
Another interesting twist is that US 65 is not signed with US 61 in Mississippi,
though it maintains a hidden presence.
The following is a list of the possible Starting Points for US 65, and how they affect the Total Distance:
Baton Rouge, LA - 1,071 miles
MS/LA border south of Woodville, MS - 1,030 miles
Natchez, MS at US 61 - 988 miles
Notes:
US 65 is fully duplexed with other US routes in Mississippi, which leads me to wonder why
it's still in existance. IMHO, it should be terminated where it intersects US 84 in
Ferriday, LA, about 14 miles west of Natchez.