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.