I10 vs I40 Coast-to-Coast

If you consider the I-40 route, there is also an alternative to consider when you get to Little Rock, AR. Rather than taking I-40 from Little Rock to Memphis, and then the madness of the I-40/1-55 merger in West Memphis and crossing the Mississippi, consider this:

I-530 south from Little Rock to Pine Bluff and pick up US 65 south to US 82 and the crossing of the Mississippi to Greenville MS, and then take US 82 all the way across MS. Good 4-lane road and you miss all of the truck traffic on I-40 east of Little Rock as well as trying to get through Memphis. US 82 will take you all the way to Tuscaloosa AL where you can pick up I-20 to B'ham and I-459 around to pick up I-20 again on in to Atlanta.

Interesting replies... I have done both and I would take I-10.

Driven both....hands down I40 is the way to go

dedmiston wrote:
I would pick I-40 over I-10 any day. It's much more scenic in my opinion.

The last time I drove home from Houston to So Cal, we went out of our way to climb north to get to I-40, just because I couldn't bear the boredom of driving I-10 again.

When I was a kid we would take big trips every summer (L.A. to Nova Scocia, L.A. to Key West, etc.). Dad would always start the first day of the trip at 3:00 am to get as far as he could through I-10 in the dark because is was the most boring part of the trip and because he didn't want to drive our truck in the heat of the day. He would turn us north once we got someplace interesting, and then the vacation would begin.

Have a great trip. Sorry you don't have more time to chew the scenery.

I'd agree with this and taking the 40 if time permits.

I have driven coast to coast about 300 times .. I would take I 8 to I 10. to I 20 into Atlanta. Why go so far north only to have to go south again to get to Atlanta. I 40 has a lot more hills to pull while I 8 I 10 I 20 has one pull on I 8 then it is flat and fast to Atlanta.

I would pick I-40 over I-10 any day. It's much more scenic in my opinion.

The last time I drove home from Houston to So Cal, we went out of our way to climb north to get to I-40, just because I couldn't bear the boredom of driving I-10 again.

When I was a kid we would take big trips every summer (L.A. to Nova Scocia, L.A. to Key West, etc.). Dad would always start the first day of the trip at 3:00 am to get as far as he could through I-10 in the dark because is was the most boring part of the trip and because he didn't want to drive our truck in the heat of the day. He would turn us north once we got someplace interesting, and then the vacation would begin.

Have a great trip. Sorry you don't have more time to chew the scenery.

On I 40 you could stop in Memphis and visit Elvis home, Sun studios, listen to some blues, eat some BBQ etc. A campground is directly across the street from Graceland and shuttles take you to/from Bourbon Street and the campground.

vermilye wrote:

ependydad wrote:
You can overnight at Sonoma Caverns in Texas and take in the Caverns without really messing up travel plans. They have RV spots with water + electric. That’s on I-10 and our family enjoyed it.

If you mean the Caverns of Sonora I second the stop. Not much of a campground, but the best cavern I've been to. Some photos from my 2012 visit: Caverns of Sonora

Thanks for the correction. You're absolutely right- Caverns of Sonora.

And more pictures:
Sonora, TX

Thanks for all the replies (and keep them coming!). Yes, more interested in point A->B but if the DW were along would be more sightseeing.

Good to note on I-10. I'd heard bad things about the road quality.

What's to see along I-40 (other than Grand Canyon)?

Best,
- bob

If you decide to do I-10, the route North to Carlsbad (285) out of Pecos, TX. is not pretty. Ate one of the tires on my toad in quick order. Stopped at the Carlsbad Walmart to see about a replacement (didn't have my size) and the counter guy said I was lucky. Most people are towed in with 2 tires cut on the same side.

Having come I-10 out of Florida 2 months ago I think I'd choose 40. 1100 miles or so of Texas on I-10... Yea, been there done that.