[Chris19]

I am planning to drive from South Dakota to the gulf portion of Mississippi in May and would like advice on which route to take when going through Arkansas. I have several alternatives being considered below.

First alternative is taking US 71 from Kansas City and taking it when it becomes I-540, going through Northwest Arkansas and taking I-40 to Little Rock and taking I-530 to Pine Bluff and following US 65 to I-20 west of Vicksburg, MS and taking I-20 to US-49 that takes one to the gulf.

Second alternative is taking US 65 south of Springfield through Harrison and Clinton and get on I-40 to Little Rock and taking the same route south of Little Rock as the first alternative.

Third alternative is taking US 63 from Southern Missouri to I-55 and taking I-55 down to Jackson and get on I-20 for a short time and hooking up with US-49 (taking me to the gulf).

I am looking for a route that has minimal traffic issues, safest (for a Midwesterner travelling alone), and is expedient. I think that the first and third options are the best but have a hard time deciding. I would like some recommendations on a route and any helpful tips on either of the routes mentioned.

[cali-grown]

I would take this route. We drove it last month and I found it to be an enjoyable ride. Beautiful scenery and not too much traffic. Only one spot where you have to go through a couple of towns with street lights. The rest is good highway.

The other route you like is a 2 lane road that would take you quite a while to get through. Cell service isn't always the best either and you wouldn't want to break down in the middle of nowhere since you're driving alone.
Hope this helps!

Originally Posted by Chris19

First alternative is taking US 71 from Kansas City and taking it when it becomes I-540, going through Northwest Arkansas and taking I-40 to Little Rock and taking I-530 to Pine Bluff and following US 65 to I-20 west of Vicksburg, MS and taking I-20 to US-49 that takes one to the gulf.

[jenni-b]

I agree.

[Chris19]

Thank you cali-grown and jenni-b for the insight. I like road travel and tend to maybe too anylitical at times.

I am a bit leery about taking US 65 between Branson and Conway, with most of it being two-lane and having to slow down more often. The steeper grades are more of a pain on a two-lane from experience and I get somewhat closterphobic on two-laned roads with steeper drop offs.

I am comforatable with taking the US 71/I-540 route and taking a jog on I-40 before going south towards Pine Bluff. I like the cruise control type driving, but would like to see some scenery. I was on I-40 through Arkansas before and remembered the interstate being a more relaxing drive west of Little Rock and rather busy between Little Rock and Memphis.

Is the US 63 path from Springfield worse than going the US 71/I-540/I-40 to Little Rock and south to due west of Vicksburg?

Is US 65 between Pine Bluff and I-20 in Louisiana safe, just passing through and maybe stop to fill up the car and/or buy a soft drink? Anything on that stretch to pay close attention to? Or would going the Memphis way and down I-55 be safer and less worries. I do not plan on doing much for driving after dusk/dark and reserve a hotel room most likely in the suburban areas of Jackson, MS (I would definitely avoid stopping in inner-city Jackson-just pass through it on the interstate).

[jenni-b]

I haven't done the Springfield route, sorry. I have done 65 to 20 a bajillion times going to New Orleans and Florida, and have never had any problems. Just be careful on your way back...the exit from 20 back onto 65 is easy to miss. It's the Tallulah exit, the first exit after you cross the river.

[Stormcrow73]

I concur with the others on using 540 if you're looking for expediency. 65 does have more steep grades and enough truck traffic on it to be annoying. It IS the most scenic of your 3 choices however.

[SwinerBock]

Agree with Stormcrow. The 65 route between Springfield and Conway is very scenic. And to be honest, I do not really recall there being that much difficulty with the road. While it is classified as a 2-lane road, when it gets to the steep and/or curvy parts, it typically has an extra "passing" lane to get around slower traffic and such. It's not that bad of a ride.

[SwinerBock]

And let me add one other thing about the US 65 route between Springfield and Conway. Depending on the time of year you take the drive, the US 65 route may have "roadside stands" set up where you can pull over and purchase fresh fruits and vegetables, jellies, crafts, etc. They were pretty common back in the early 90's when I drove that route back and forth to college.

[Chris19]

Thank you very much for your insight regarding the routes through Arkansas. I am open-minded about the routes. The route depends on the timing and when I leave from Kansas City, MO area (where I will stay overnight. I would like to visit the Clinton Library in Little Rock but am shying away from going through Memphis.

At this point, I would take either US 65 or US-71/I-540 to I-40 and south from Little Rock to I-20 west of Vicksburg. My guess is that the roads going south of Pine Bluff to I-20 is rural area.

I would like to stay overnight in a suburban community of Jackson, MS. Checked the Vicksburg motels and they were pricier than many of the same types of hotels in Jackson's suburban areas (Clinton, Ridgeland, etc.).

I will have to give it more thought and additional insight is certainly welcomed.

[AllenKarber]

65 and 71 will give you lots of looks at beautiful scenery IMO. You can't go wrong by taking either road.