Ft. Smith to Branson to Memphis

[mickey53usa]

April trip to Branson - Will start in TX, but we will all met around Ft. Smith. Plan to go north on I-540 to US-62, SR-37, SR-112, SR-39, SR-76.

When we leave Branson, we plan on going down US-65 to I-40.

None of us have been this route - Any idea of what to expect?

TIA
Michael

[GaryKD]

Hi mickey53usa,
US Rt 65 south from Branson to I40 is on my list as one of my least favorite roads. The quality of the road is fine. The road is up, down and around. Small towns with quick changing lower speed limits and narrow lanes (left turns too). You have only two choices. South on US 65 or north to Springfield and then east on US 60. I've taken both route, several times. I prefer the Rt 60 way to go. However, it is more miles.

If you take your time on 65 south and be ready for those small towns you'll be okay. You will make no time on Rt 65.

[Elkhartjim]

Just curious, since Texas is a pretty good size state where in Texas do you plan on leaving from? Texarkana vs Amarillo. That might help or are you just concerned with the highways in Arkansas? Arkansas roads from Texarkana to Litttle Rock are in about the same condition as the FM roads in Texas, just not as wide. Last summer there were a lot of those blue signs saying that the shovel ready projects were in the works. I did see some orange cones but no shovels or any other signs of work.

[mickey53usa]

Elkhartjim,

Thanks for the reply - We are just trying to avoid I-40 in Oklahoma - to many reports of bone jarring rides. Still going to have 30-40 miles going this way. Also we are meeting some folks that live south of Dallas.

[texnet]

We have driven the I-540 to US-62, SR-37, SR-112, SR-39, SR-76 route many times, in a 34 foot Class A with a toad and a Lincoln Navigator pulling a 26 foot travel trailer. I am a member of Royal Rangers and there is a national camp on hwy 86 just east of Roaring River park. A few winding roads but have had no problems at all.