I drive Hwy 8 a few times a month and have done it pulling our travel trailer as well. It has it's curves, not really any hills though. There is a shoulder on parts and roughly 3-4 long enough straightaways for people to pass. the part of hwy 8 I'm talking about is around 36 miles long from Potosi, MO to Steelville, MO. Let me know if you have any other questions. From Hawn, you'll go through Farmington and hit Hwy 67 (4 lane hwy) then take the Park Hills exit and drive through a town till you hit hwy 8. it's 4 lanes till Potosi, MO then goes to 2 lane until you hit Steelville. After that it's smooth sailing for another 15 miles to I-44