Starting to get frustrated. I will be traveling from Gainesville, Fl to Springfield, Mo and most of the travel will be on the weekend of the 19th of June. I know, I know...weekends are the worst. ...
You can cross the Mississippi River north of Memphis at Curuthersville, MO, then pick up I-57 N to Sikeston, MO and take Hwy 60 across Southern MO to Springfield. Hwy 60 is a good road.
Not sure that's any better than the previously mentioned Arkansas route.