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FreeRanger
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Nov 15, 2013

Branson MO to Pensacola FL

We will be heading out to Pensacola from Branson the first week in December. We are not i any hurry and don't need the fastest route. I want a nice smooth route that will be a leisurely drive. I would appreciate input from those that have made this trip. We are traveling in a 38 ft. Class And HHR toad.

4 Replies

  • Update. We just got to foley and 63 south to I10 was great.
  • We are leaving for Foley Al from South Ar. We are going south and hit I20 and follow that into Jackson. We are then going to go 49 into Hattiesburg and spend the night. We are then going to go 98 till we get to 63S and follow that to I10. As someone said earlier you could go 98 all the way into Mobile but we are opting to go down 63. My DH wants to try that way. Hope you have a great trip!
  • My preference, same start, but take I-530/US-65 out of Little Rock. It is US-65 you are following. I usually turn east on US-82 at Lake Village, cross into Mississippi at Greenville. Then east to US-49W, follow that South to I-10. I like this route for smooth traffic flow, and convenience of potential gas and rest stops.

    Alternatives I've used include US-65 all the way to I-20, US-61 down from Greenville to I-20, both cases headed to Jackson and US-49. But US-65 in Louisiana and 61 south from Greenville are slower and rougher road, and I-20 between Talulah and Jackson is some of the roughest Interstate I've ever driven.

    Since you are not going to Gulfport, you could leave US-49 south of Hattiesburg, follow US-98 into Mobile. I have no recent experience with this route, last used it about 10 years ago.

    I take these routes to get away from the heavy, high speed truck traffic on I-40, I-55.

    For a real leisurely drive, you can follow US-98 out of Mobile, see the Alabama Gulf Coast. I usually wait until I am past Pensacola before dropping onto the coastal route.
  • Free Ranger,
    You may not be interested in my reply. I have not traveled this route in it's entirety. But no matter, for what it's worth.
    BRANSON:
    Route 65S to Harrison, AR, staying on 65S, destination Conway, AR, intersect with I40S to Little Rock, AR and on east to Memphis, TN. Using by-pass to I55S though Jackson, MS on south to Hammond, LA to I12E and Merge with I10E though Mobile, LA to Pensacola, FL.