Trip Through Arkansas June 2020

No problem on 71 other than lots of expansion joints makeing for less than joyful ride. We go to our family place 2 or 3 times a year and just wanted a change of ur usual trip. I was last on it about 18 months ago comeing back from east of Fayetteville pulling our 35ft 5er. mostly 2lane until close to FtSmith then lots of traffic lights. Honestly from Hot Springs might be better to go back to Little Rock & take 40 to Ft Smith unless you just have to go to Mena. From where we live to Ft Smith, I go up 259 to 271 over in Ok. & 259 is not all that far west of Mena. Really pretty drive but there is a few steep grades but has climbing lanes.

I don't think you would have any difficulty on either of these routes. Both are US highways. They will not be straight and level, but I've never found any problem in towing a 34' fifth-wheel on either.

I have found the state highways in Arkansas to be very "wind-ey" and a good bit of up and down. I just decide to enjoy the journey and know that I cannot make the kind of time that I would on a freeway or even on a US highway.

To your question: I've been over much of US 270 and US 71. Mostly 2 lane and helps not to get behind a log truck, but I don't see any reason for concern--no switch backs; no really steep grades. Now if you go up to Queen Wilhelmina State Park on Rich Mountain near Mena, you can find a bit of both.