Community Forums

Cooperhawk · 06-21-2018, 12:45 PM

Planning on a week in Branson this fall and instead of doing I35 wonder if US65 is a good alternate route? Would rather take slower country highways than the hectic Interstate.

Is anyone familiar with this route? We would be exiting I35 at Des Moines and taking it all the way to Springfield and then into Branson.

We don't mind the slower speeds and going through the small towns, but is the road in good condition.

Also are there any good camp grounds on that route to overnight?

Cooperhawk · 06-21-2018, 12:59 PM

I have already done a search and there are many discussions on highways into Branson from other directions, but not from the north.

Cooperhawk · 06-21-2018, 01:58 PM

Would a Mod please move this to General Discussions? Not getting any response in this forum.

ScoobyDoo · 06-23-2018, 05:49 AM

I have run sections of 65, but never the full length in one trip. I don't like to say "This is a good way" because of the number of times people have disagreed with what a call "Good"
Generally, in my home state of Mo, I have found the pavement on US hiways to be as good or better than the Interstates. (Yes, that is a low bar) Sections of 65 have been "improved" and most is what I call good 2 lane, with well marked passing zones. Still goes thru a lot of small towns, and you might want to check for construction before you go.
If you decide to stay on the Is down thru KC at Harrisonville take Mo 7 South, (yes, it goes east but called south) over to Clinton, then Mo 13 south to Springfield. Not interstate, but limited access 4 lane...
Yesterday DW and I used 65 from I 80 to Princeton Mo, in her Neon. Good ride.

Dan_S · 06-23-2018, 07:25 AM

If you are still on 35 near Cameron MO. Wallace St park is excellent! Stopped there for a night on return from Branson to TC last month.

Cooperhawk · 06-23-2018, 07:42 AM

Thanks for the reply's. I kinda like going through small towns and am considering it. The mileage is about the same but of course the speed limit is lower, however I only tow at 65mph anyway.

What it does is get off the Interstate and not go through Kansas City. I have noticed that there seems to be few campgrounds that route.

Also I expect to see small town restaurants and not the usual truck stop fare.

Right now I'm planning to use I35 to Osceola, Ia. We can stay overnight at the casino and then jog east to pick up US65 from there.

ScoobyDoo · 06-23-2018, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cooperhawk

Thanks for the reply's. I kinda like going through small towns and am considering it. The mileage is about the same but of course the speed limit is lower, however I only tow at 65mph anyway.

What it does is get off the Interstate and not go through Kansas City. I have noticed that there seems to be few campgrounds that route.

Also I expect to see small town restaurants and not the usual truck stop fare.

Right now I'm planning to use I35 to Osceola, Ia. We can stay overnight at the casino and then jog east to pick up US65 from there.

If you want to stay in Osceola, you might think of jumping onto US 65/69 east of Des Moines, stay on 69 at the split. From there south US 69 and I 35 cross, often. Just south of Bethany, get on 13, next "city" you see is Springfield...

Cooperhawk · 06-23-2018, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScoobyDoo

If you want to stay in Osceola, you might think of jumping onto US 65/69 east of Des Moines, stay on 69 at the split. From there south US 69 and I 35 cross, often. Just south of Bethany, get on 13, next "city" you see is Springfield...

I will check that out. Thanks.

ScoobyDoo · 06-24-2018, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cooperhawk

I will check that out. Thanks.

Tilt! I was on google maps finding a way for DW. (I don't want to go to the quilt shops with her LOL) and the map was acting funny. Checked Mo DOT site, they are replacing a bridge between Gallatin and Hamilton. US 6 to state CC would be a detour, and likely good road.
A word of warning. If your spouse is into quilting, and you don't want to spend time for her touring shops, you might be better to stay on I35 down to Mo 116, and catch 13 at Polo. The town of Hamilton is basically a quilt shop. She has one storefront set up as a nice living room for men to wait in, and the hamburgers are good.

Cooperhawk · 06-25-2018, 08:00 AM

Thank God my DW isn't into that. We know several people who are and it's a cult!

Thanks for the detour info but we're not going till Oct. so hopefully the construction is done by them.

Talked to my cousin who lives in Mo. last night and he agrees Hwy 65 is a good choice.