Arkansas to Florida

Been making that trip for years. The shortest route is US 65 to I 20 east, south at Jackson on US 49 to Hattiesburg (go around HBG on I 55), US 98 to Mobile, I 10 east to I 75 south, to FL Turnpike south to Okeechobee. The trip on US 65 is very nice, mostly four lane, little traffic.

DUNEBUGGYDOUG wrote:
Please try to avoid Memphis , major road construction on the west side and the east side of town, also I-40 between LR and Memphis causes many delays

Strongly agree with Doug, avoid West Memphis. Total pavement reconstruction of the section that is both I-40 and I-55. Single lane both directions, they're digging up pavement 3 feet down, plus redoing bridge decks, and some of the exits in West Memphis are closed. Traffic backup several miles at times.

Options : cross the Miss River at Helena or Vicksburg.

If you really have to go through West Memphis, get off at exit 271, follow US 70/79 (Broadway, 4 lanes within the city limits) thru town, it becomes I-55 just past the construction area, and you cross the river on the I-55 bridge.

IF you are headed south from Memphis, the other construction at the east edge of Memphis won't be affecting you - if you are headed to Nashville on I-40 the construction is where I-40 meets the I-240 loop and is another area to avoid.

I agree with Mike O, we did the trip to Tampa and basically followed Mikes same route with out any problems.

Lots of good suggestions so far. I make this drive about 8 times a year (LR to Pensacola & on to Jacksonville). Tried them all, but fastest & easiest route for me has been: Little Rock, Hwy 65 south thru Pine Bluff to I-20 at Tallulah,I-20 east to Jackson, Hwy 49 south to Hwy 98 (just south of Hattisburg) to Mobile, then I-65 south a few miles to I-10 east, then I-75 south. Hwy 98 thru FL is nice, but slow tourist traffic is a pain until well east of Panama City. JoeH is right about Hwy 19 into St. Pete.

Laman wrote:

bartletttraveller wrote:
Since time is no problem,
I-40 to Memphis
HWY 78 from Memphis to Tupelo,Ms
Hwy 45 south to Alabama hwy 158
slide over to I-65 at Prichard Alabama and pick up I-10 in Mobile Al.
Take I 10 to Pensacola exit FL-281 and follow route to US-98.
Follow US-98 to US-19 S. This will take you to I-275 in St Petersburg Fl. this will take you to I-75. Take exit 217 toward Arcadia.
Take Hwy 70 to Okeechobee.
This will allow you to see a whole lot of Florida's west coast and have a great time getting to your destinati0on.

Jim

This is a great route except I would strongly advise not taking hwy 19 into St.Petersburg, terrible traffic and lots of redlights. I would suggest taking 19 south down to where it intersects with 98 again an then head east thru Brooksville and then pick-up 1-75 and stay on 75 until exit 217.

I agree... head back to I 75 at Brooksville either via 98 or 50 or go just a bit south to 52--- that's a bit easier as you don't go thru Brooksville and you avoid some turns.

Take 530 to Pine Bluff, take the Highway 65 exit and follow 65 to Lake Village (this is probably the worst part of your drive)....A few miles past Lake Village take Highway 82 East where in about 6 or 7 miles you will experience the toe curling, skeery bridge over the muddy Mississippi.

Take a right on Highway 454 (about a mile past the bridge)....Scoot on down 454 for 5 or 6 miles 'til you hit Highway 1....Turn right on Highway 1 and travel a few miles to Highway 438 and hang a left. There will be a tree shrouded, old plantation style house on your left at the turn.... On 438 you watch out for Mississippi smokies through Arcola to Highway 61...Turn right on 61 and sail through this Mississippi Delta and places called Nitta Yuma and Panther Burn to Anguille...Turn left at Anguille on Highway 14...Hit your afterburner and blow on down to Highway 49...Turn right on 49 and follow it through Yazoo City (home of Jerry Clower) all the way to Jackson.

Hop on 220 to Jackson and I-20...Head East on 20 and get back on 49 South to Hattiesburg (if you stop in Hattiesburg check out the Conestoga Steak House). Take I-59 around Hattiesburg and hit Highway 98 East...About 70 miles down a very nice four lane highway to Lucedale. Take the second Lucedale 23 exit and get on Highway 63 South...This is the home stretch to I-10...Take I-10 East to your destination on the Redneck Riviera.

EAT...DRINK...GET SUNBURNED....AND ENJOY!

I got this from the web.

bartletttraveller wrote:
Since time is no problem,
I-40 to Memphis
HWY 78 from Memphis to Tupelo,Ms
Hwy 45 south to Alabama hwy 158
slide over to I-65 at Prichard Alabama and pick up I-10 in Mobile Al.
Take I 10 to Pensacola exit FL-281 and follow route to US-98.
Follow US-98 to US-19 S. This will take you to I-275 in St Petersburg Fl. this will take you to I-75. Take exit 217 toward Arcadia.
Take Hwy 70 to Okeechobee.
This will allow you to see a whole lot of Florida's west coast and have a great time getting to your destinati0on.

Jim

This is a great route except I would strongly advise not taking hwy 19 into St.Petersburg, terrible traffic and lots of redlights. I would suggest taking 19 south down to where it intersects with 98 again an then head east thru Brooksville and then pick-up 1-75 and stay on 75 until exit 217.

Since time is no problem,
I-40 to Memphis
HWY 78 from Memphis to Tupelo,Ms
Hwy 45 south to Alabama hwy 158
slide over to I-65 at Prichard Alabama and pick up I-10 in Mobile Al.
Take I 10 to Pensacola exit FL-281 and follow route to US-98.
Follow US-98 to US-19 S. This will take you to I-275 in St Petersburg Fl. this will take you to I-75. Take exit 217 toward Arcadia.
Take Hwy 70 to Okeechobee.
This will allow you to see a whole lot of Florida's west coast and have a great time getting to your destinati0on.

Jim

After being on the coast this winter, we would stay off the x-ways and take US 90 along the coast from LA to FL. Small towns, beautiful beaches and pullovers along the shore to stop for breaks. You would probably want to go up on I-10 to go thru the Mobile AL tunnel and then drop back down. Here in MS it is a good 4 lane divided highway.

Please try to avoid Memphis , major road construction on the west side and the east side of town, also I-40 between LR and Memphis causes many delays