RKO executives were concerned about a possible plagiarism suit by the author of the book and the movie version I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang (1932) in production at Warner Bros. at the time. Some deletions and changes were made until they were satisfied that no legal action would be taken.
A preview print had Richard Dix being shot and killed after saving his brother Tom Brown, but the ending was changed before the final release of the film.
After the main production of "Hell's Highway" wrapped, RKO executives brought in director John Cromwell to re-shoot a more upbeat ending. Cromwell was not credited in the film.
February 1937, the PCA director wrote RKO that a certificate would be approved for re-release if some objectionable lines and scenes would be cut. However, no evidence that the film was ever re-released to theaters has been found.