Memphis, TN update needed

Check local traffic conditions then.

padredw wrote:
Early September, 2015. Coming in from I-55 headed south. Leaving out on I-40 going east. Probably morning or midday. Have been through Memphis many times, but wondering about construction and traffic?

Would it be worth an extra 30 minutes to avoid Memphis altogether??
For example to cross over toward Dyersburg, TN and then southeast

Towing 34' fifth-wheel.

I would take the Dyersburg route regardless of any scheduled construction in Memphis. Much less chance of delays that way.

You can check TDOT Smartway Traffic
close to your travel time and look for any specific problems on your route anywhere in the state.

Take the Dyersburg route I155 to Dyersburg, 412 to I40 at Jackson. Cuts off lots of time, miles, and traffic. 4 lane all the way.

Thanks to all for the helpful responses. Now that I read my original post and the responses, I realize that I did not accurately describe my choices.

Actually, I will be leaving from Jacksonport State Park near Newport, Arkansas. When I said I-55 "from the north" I was really thinking only of the construction and traffic around Memphis. So what I said was true, but somewhat misleading.

I could go "UP" toward Dyersburg, or "DOWN" toward Memphis. That is the real choice I have to make. The next stop will be in south central Tennessee at Davy Crockett State Park in Lawrenceburg.

Sorry for the way in which I originally stated the case. I will still appreciate any comments or suggestion--even those who would give different advice in light of this clarification.

Fortunately this trip is over a month away so we have plenty of time to consider alternatives.

In that case, Memphis, then 64 to Lawrenceburg. Don't know where the Arkansas park is. But I hate to go anywhere near Memphis. If Dyersburg is an option at all, Jackson down to 64 is still all good roads. I understand that they have made improvements at DCSP recently.

There is major multi-year construction at the I-40/240 junction at the east edge of Memphis adding new fly-overs. I would suggest the Dyersburg route.

Thanks again to all. The route through Dyersburg is 30 miles longer but I have pretty well decided to go that way, then down through Jackson, TN. We will not be in a hurry, and it seems this would be the less stressful route.

I was just up I-55 from West Memphis through Dyersburg on the way to Kentucky--in our automobile. I have been using that route rather than through Memphis and Nashville (to Lexington, KY) for several years now. So I haven't been THROUGH Memphis.

Thanks to everyone for responding.

One more to think about. Go around the south side of Memphis. Take I-55 down to MS-302 and then go east to US-72. Several options back north to US-64, including the Natchez Trace.

the last 2 trips out west from north Alabama we have crossed the river at West Helena, AR, and tried 2 different routes across Mississippi. Both routes add about 40 miles and 1 hour to the path of going thru Memphis.

Coming back from Colorado on 6/22/15 thru Arkansas, we were ready to be home and I decided to just give Memphis a whirl. We hit it about 2 PM on a weekday and had no problems at all. The years-long construction on I-40 between Forest City and Memphis appears to be finished, and other than 4-5 potholes the road wasn't nearly as bad as I-40 thru Oklahoma.

(Note that going east thru Memphis is easier than going west. As you go east, the 2 lanes on the bridge then open up into 4-6 lanes in town. If you are going west, all those 4-6 lanes ultimately have to funnel into 2 across the bridge).

As a lifelong avoider of Memphis, my 2 cents is to give it a try this year....going east.

These are all very helpful comments. I expect the route through Memphis would be faster and no problem, but I have been that way many times. I have just about decided to go up to Dyersburg and down through Jackson because it is a route I have never taken. It is a bit longer and may take a bit more time, but we will not be in a hurry.

The replies on this thread have helped me to consider these alternatives.

Thank you all for the help.