Interstate 20 and 65 instead of Interstate 30 and 40?

Look at going north east from Little Rock up to US-412 at Walnut Ridge AR. Then east to Dyersburg TN and I-69 north to I-65. You miss I-40 in east Arkansas, Memphis & Nashville. With few extra miles.

Thanks again to everyone. We are still planning...

I presume I-20 will take you thru Jackson MS. We went that way last summer to avoid I-10 in LA. I don't know which is worse. I-20 headed east thru Jackson was
a horribly rough ride.

First, there is no reason to avoid BHam unless the construction for the I-20/59 / I-65 interchange (also known as the "mix-master" or "malfuction junction") has begun. Then, if you just want a detour around the construction, there is an efficient one - take exit 123, turn left, go approx 1/2 mile and turn right on Finley Blvd. This runs into I-65 just North of the interchange.

I wouldn't recommend Hwy 69 as a detour. That will take 4 hours and all you will see are old coal mines. Not very picturesque!

Thanks to everyone.
How about if we took Highway 69 north from Tuscaloosa then east and hooked back up on IH 65 near dodge City? We could avoid Birmingham all together. Is this too twisty-turny-hilly?

We will be in a hurry. That may give us a chance to see the real Alabama?

We just made that trip ,starting from up here in Denton, Tx. Avoid 69/75, as it is torn up for construction in Oklahoma, and very congested.
The best routing for you is I-35 to OKC, I-44 to St Louis, then I-70 into Columbus. Somewhere about Springfield,Mo. will be your halfway point, and a good place to stop for the night. Probably an 18 - 20 hour trip for you, depending on how fast you drive, and how often you take rest stops.

What about north on US 75 to US 69 to I-44 to I-40 to Columbus? The US routes in Texas and Oklahoma are good 4-lane roads. At St. Louis, I would take the bypass south on I-270 - I-255.

Thank you for asking this.

as November 1, I will be going to south Texas from Cleveland Ohio.

So I will keep and Eye on this thread.

edatlanta wrote:
Don't hit Birmingham during the busy times in the morning or evening. Also, on I65 just north of the I20 intersection there is construction where they are tying I29 into I65. It isn't bad however.

I agree, the worst time coming that direction on I-20/59 is 7:30AM until 9AM. In the afternoon the traffic flow is the other direction. Other than that you should be fine. The construction on I-65 North of the interchange has completed. Good road now.

HOWEVER, there are some major changes planned to the bridges at the I-20/59 and I-65 interchange. The construction will last for months. I don't know if that will involve that overpass bridge or not, but the backup from the others will be a problem. They are actually planning to reroute traffic to the surface streets which will be a nightmare! I'm not sure when this will start. The route is good now, but I suggest you recheck this route a week or so before your trip. PM me then for an update if you wish.

Don't hit Birmingham during the busy times in the morning or evening. Also, on I65 just north of the I20 intersection there is construction where they are tying I22 into I65. It isn't bad however.