Roads Through Mississippi & Alabama

Done the Natchez Trace? A bit out of the way tho. It's on our 'to do' list.

Alabama's roads aren't bad. However, I've only taken them in the southern part of the state. I haven't been on Mississippi's roads in quite a while, so not sure about theirs.

Actually I-22 from Memphis to B'ham is a pretty ride. Road is good. I cannot say that about the ride through Birmingham however.

BMCM wrote:
Leaving Memphis, headed to Pensacola.
Not in a hurry. Enjoy secondary roads for their "off the beaten path" feel.
Do like roads in good condition.
Is one states roads better than the other, or is it a toss-up?
Thanks in advance...

Robert

I would suggest federal 72 east from Memphis to Tuscumbia AL, take Ala157 there to Cullman, join I65 follow it through Montgomery- take 31 to Pensacola. A fair mix of secondary and interstate.

If you're taking I55 it's very rough from about five miles north of McComb to past Magnolia. It's about a 25 mile run. It's being rebuilt but they just started.
You might like stopping at Percy QuinnSP and going to The Dinner Bell. Excellent southern comfort food and lots of fun.

Lots of good routes to take, some already suggested. As for AL or MS road conditions, last time I was through that area, they were good. AL in particular has a long history of good road maintenance (born and reared in Alabama). Here's a route you might also enjoy:

US 78/I22 from Memphis to Tupelo (stop at Elvis's birth place if you're into Elvis memorabilia). US 45 S to US 278/45, then US 278 E to Sulligent AL. AL 17 all the way south to US 45 again (or you could just stay on US 45) toward Mobile. For me, the advantage of AL 17 is the various small towns you'll go through and the architectural history that you'll see along the way (many antebellum homes).

Last time I was through, the early portion, US 78 between Memphis and Holly Springs, I thought was particularly rough. Perhaps it's been worked on since then to reach Interstate standards. Some rolling hills between Holly Springs and Tupelo, not a bad drive at all.

Agree with Thom02099 to Tupelo, then US 45. Been down 45 several times recently, good 4-lane, light traffic. Been a while on I22, but have not heard anything bad.

I did US-84 from Natchez to Opp a couple of years ago and thought it was fairly rough because the surface for most of the way was broken up by heavy trucks. No really big bounces, just constant roughness. I think it smoothed out in southern Alabama but don't recall where.

We've also taken US 45 south. We get on near Paducah. Most of it is divided 4 lane, light traffic and 65 mph.

I-65 southbound, exit at #69 (no town nearby) and take 113 to Flomation (4 lane) and then US29 (4 lane) all the way to I-10, Stop and go toward Penscola but not bad. If going to the beaches, Ft Pickens, etc, its a weird RH exit just as you pass under I-10, loop around and merge onto I-10East in the LEFT lane, and you quickly have to move to the right at least one if not two lanes. Take 110 south and then a LH merge onto Chase St and a couple of traffic lights and a weird LH turn onto Bayfront Pkwy which is US98 across the bay bridge and stay in the RH lane cause you will make a curving RH turn at the huge Pensacola Beach sign.



Both Right lane and right turn lane go right, then its 399 across the bridge (have a dollar bill ready for the toll at the south end of the bridge) and if going to Pickens, again stay right for the turn onto Ft Pickens Rd.

If you decide to take US43 from Hamilton AL off I-22 and wander south thru Tuscaloosa and then Demopolis, there is a Corp of Engineer Park there (have not been) https://www.recreation.gov/camping/foscue-creek/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=71131 very close to 43 right on the river.

This is not far from where the "M/V Cahaba incident" occurred on the Tombigee River at the old US80 Rooster Bridge. http://www.rioleo.org/mv-cahaba.php

Charles