Arkansas?

[runnerhiker]

Look up Queen Wilhelmina State Park near Mena AR, there used to be a lodge up there (at some elevation, around 2000 ft), it's a great place to stay.

Mena to Ozark - good road
Mena to Russelville - good road
Mena to Hot Springs - good road
Tallamenah Parkway (I am sure I have the spelling wrong) west of Queen Wihelmena is great.

If you go further east, like to Little Rock and Pine Bluff, the roads become average