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rfsod48 · 10-14-2015, 08:28 PM

Any info on I 44 west from St. Louis to Oklahoma City. I am considering this as alternate route in January when we are traveling from Fenton Mi. to Phoenix. Thanks for the help.

CaptainGeezer · 10-14-2015, 09:03 PM

Drove it from St. Louis, MO to Springfield, MO a couple of months ago. No problems and actually enjoyed it after 200 miles of Illinois' crap roads.

TeJay · 10-14-2015, 09:33 PM

Been down that way many, many time heading back home to AR. In January the roads might be a bit of an issue but with up to date weather easily checked these days you'll know if you need to change routes.

Sometimes in that area Tulsa, OK the weather coming down and across OK will split (mountains) on the west side of AR and the snow will go north along I-44 but the rain heads south. If it looks questionable you can take I-55 south out of St. Louis down to Memphis. In Memphis you can stay on 55 south to Jackson, MIss then get on I-20 or take I-40 in LR West which is also a good road. That will take you a bit farther south and maybe away from some bad weather if needed. It will be farther but that just might be a better choice than not going anywhere.

If the weather is still not to good when you get to Little rock you can take I-30 south to Dallas which is even farther south. From Dallas take I-20 across to I-10 just east of El Paso to Tuscon and up to Phoenix. That route should take you away from old man winter. Your total difference in miles from I-40 to the more southern route of I-30, 20 then 10 may not be that much more.

Safe trip!!!
TeJay

Mageksl · 10-15-2015, 01:23 PM

This summer we drove through Arkansas to OKC on I-40 and only parts of I-40 are good. The rest just beat us to death. Won't go that way again.

I-44 to OKC is a great road partly because the OK roads are tolls and well maintained. They charge by the axle which include the axles on a toad, if any. Rates can be found at https://www.pikepass.com/toll/TollCalculator.aspx. From the MO state line to I-35 you would be on the H.E. Bailey and Turner Turnpikes. When you get to Tulsa there is the Creek Turnpike that will take you around Tulsa to the south. We don't take the Creek because it's expensive and takes us way out of the way.

When you reach I-35 you can take it south through OKC to I-40 or continue on the Kirkpatrick Turnpike around OKC to I-40.

allynne · 10-15-2015, 05:25 PM

Mageks, The Kirkpatrick Turnpike is a exact change only and the second toll booth is unattended and it can be difficult to come up with the exact coins for several dollars. I noticed the ground around the collection basket was covered with coins. It's a little hard to hit that basket from the drivers seat of a MH.

Al Sawyer
'05 Mt. Aire

TeJay · 10-15-2015, 06:17 PM

We drive I-40 a lot from Fort Smith to Little Rock. It's not perfect and it does have some rough areas. It was resurfaced a few years ago and they are working on some of the worst areas all the time. I don't think it's any worse than a lot of the roads in this country. It certainly is not anything like the East coast. There are so many overpasses out that way and we know nobody gets the overpasses right.

TeJay

Mageksl · 10-16-2015, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by allynne

Mageks, The Kirkpatrick Turnpike is a exact change only and the second toll booth is unattended and it can be difficult to come up with the exact coins for several dollars. I noticed the ground around the collection basket was covered with coins. It's a little hard to hit that basket from the drivers seat of a MH.

Al Sawyer
'05 Mt. Aire

I was trying to respond to the OP question and provide some additional information. Personally, I would take the I-35 south to either I-40 or I-35 to I-44 to I-40 instead of the Kirkpatrick unless I was in a big hurry.

Actually there are several unmanned exits on all the OK tollroads. Which by definition make them exact change only. Didn't realize there wasn't a manned booth on the Kirkpatrick. I find that surprising.

We've had a Pikepass Account for many years as we have family in OKC. It's free, gets you a discount and there's no exact change required. They would prefer to set up an automatic balance renewal at $40 for each renewal. Since we aren't there much the account is set for manual renewal. We go on-line find our balance, renew with whatever we decide. You can also change the number of axles if you are or aren't towing. One Pikepass will cover the whole unit. I can also be used on the North Texas tollroads around Dallas/FtWorth. But not in the Austin area which is run by a different authority.

twogypsies · 10-16-2015, 08:56 PM

In January I would advise head south as soon as you can and take I-10 across New Mexico into Phoenix. Any further north such as I-40 into Arizona and you will most likely run into bad weather.