Traveling thru Memphis

If Memphis is not the destination, and not a mandatory stop on the trip, I will work pretty hard to avoid it. The problem is not really Memphis, but all that is going on with merged traffic and never finished construction west of Memphis, where I-55 and I-40 run together.

Then, for east-west traffic, there is still the problem of I-40 being rebuilt between Hazen and Brinkley. From Little Rock to Gulf Coast there is the US-65 option, going a short distance east on something (I-20 works, not ideal) to reconnect to I-55 if going to NOLA, or using US-49 from Jackson if going to Biloxi.

Nashville to NOLA there is the I-65/I-20 option, or Natchez Trace Parkway for a leisurely non-commercial drive.

NOLA to St Louis or Chicago, you are sort of stuck. Suck it in, stay on I-55 through W Memphis. All those big trucks get through that bottle neck eventually, it just make me impatient, and a bit nervous when they try squeezing into my lane.

This is one of those "You can't get there from here" situations. edm3rd's suggestion of U.S. 65 is a good one. U.S. 65 to Tallulah, across the Mississippi at Vicksburg on I-20; east to Jackson and south on I-55 to The Big Easy.

Of course, a much more scenic and historic route would be to stay on U.S. 65 to Ferriday, LA, cross the river at Natchez and you have a choice to go directly east to I-55 via U.S. 84 & U.S. 98 OR take U.S. 61, a.k.a. "The Great River Road" & "The Blues Highway" all the way into N'Awlinz... or you can bail at I-10 in Baton Rouge. WHO Dat?!

Full Disclosure: This is the perspective of someone who is retired, doesn't punch a timeclock, who travels *with* the dogs & cat (no boarding) and can "plan" to leave the house for a week but can extend it to two weeks -- or THREE! -- without breaking a sweat. Your mileage may vary. ;)

edm3rd,
Good suggestion, I'll start a new thread asking for road conditions on US 65 .
Thanks

MapQuest says you can save 90 miles by going US-65 out of Little Rock to I-20 east to I-55 south at Jackson MS. (New Orleans 530 miles via Memphis, 440 via US-65).

I will let others comment on road conditions.

Sorry, I meant going East from Little Rock thru Memphis.

GraciesDaddy,
I'm going west thru Memphis from Little Rock on I-40 then south on I-55 to New Orleans.
Any recommendations on getting thru MEMPHIS ?

Well, I have 3 minutes before you leave, hope I make it.

*I* would take the 385 to 240 West and stay on it until I-40 west. The I-40 bridge across the River is newer, wider and in much better condition than the I-55 bridge. Plus, you don't have to contend with that awful interchange at I-55 & Crump Blvd. (where trucks catch fire!).

Keep th' greasy side down and keep it tweeeeeen th' ditches, Shugah!

It will be a Sat morning before noon, going north

Thanks for the rasponse. Will be a Sat. morning, going North

I use 302 from US-78 to I-55. Lot of lights on the Southhaven end, a few in the middle and in Olive Branch.