Best Route Nashville-Branson

I've used US-60 and US-412 to avoid the mess between Little Rock and Memphis, and to avoid Memphis generally.

Towing, and Branson-bound, I would take US-60. It moves a little better than 412, fewer slow-downs for small towns and 4-lane divided through most of Missouri. But I would not go through Memphis to connect. From Nashville, I use I-24 north to Paducah, pick up US-60 there. 60 is two lane most of the way from Paducah to Cairo, but it is not any worse than 412 across western Arkansas. The only hitch is that some people get nervous about lane width on the bridges at Cairo, particularly in the steady big-truck traffic. You have to be good at staying in your lane.

US-412 crosses only the Mississippi, and does it on the nice wide I-155 bridge.

You'll also find excellent roads by going north on I-55 from West Memphis to Sikeston, then US 60 west (virtually all new 4-lane, much of it divided) to US 65 near Springfield, the US 65 to Branson.

An added benefit is not one but two chances to eat at Lamberts, "The Home of Throwed Rolls" -- once in Sikeston, MO and another in Ozark, MO, between Springfield and Branson.

Take 55 north out of west Memphis to Arkansas 63 west, pickup Arkansas 62 in Imboden on into Harrison to 65. Most of the route is new 4 lane and good 2 lane.

If your map software tries to send you through Little Rock, be aware that there is considerable construction between Memphis and Little Rock. I would take I-40 to Jackson, TN, then pick up 412 and stay on it all the way across the MO bootheel and North Arkansas until it joins US 65 at Harrison, AR. Just north of Harrison, 65 leaves 412 and goes straight to Branson. Not a lot of four-lanes on this route, but adequate passing lanes and lots of scenery. Have a great trip!