Best Route Charlotte, NC to Albuquerque, NM?

[PenMan]

We came out on I-40 but don't want to go back the same way because of road work in Arkansas (can you say horrible roads?). Considering the time of year, what southern route would you suggest? We're thinking of I-85 to Atlanta and then I-20 across Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana but would like to avoid the Dallas area so maybe back up to Oklahoma City and then home on I-40. Any advice? How are the conditions of these roads now? My knees hate stop and go driving in road work areas. Any info is appreciated.

[TundraTower]

We traveled north Alabama to Santa Fe and back in May/June of this year, and being a newbie I wanted to likewise avoid the perpetual Arkansas bottleneck as well as 8 lane interstates in Memphis with our 52 foot long truck/trailer.

We had good luck crossing the Mississippi River at West Helena, ARK. We got off US 72 west of Corinth and picked up Highway 4 across Mississippi. Then 61 south down to highway 49 that crosses the MS river at Helena. 72 is a 4-lane, but the others are 2 lane roads thru the country-side.

From West Helena, take 49 north to exit 216 on I-40 at Brinkly, ARK. Highway 49 is a very wide, very smooth, 2 lane road thru the country with not much traffic (although a few farm tractors).

If this is of interest, you could pick up highway 72 at the South Pittsburg exit off I-24 about 20 miles west of Chattanooga. Highway 72 is 4 lane from here all the way to the other side of Corinth. It goes thru Huntsville as I-565 and crosses I-65 at Decatur, AL (our town).

If you take this route, avoid the Chattanooga section between 3:30PM and 6PM local time ---- it's a zoo during rush hour. Huntsville to Decatur is rough 4:30 to 5:30 PM local time, but nothing like Chattanooga.

May The Force be with you.

[patperry2766]

I-20 south of Dallas bypasses most of the congested driving, but you might have a few slow downs in Arlington. Just plan your time thru the area accordingly. It's really no worse than what you encounter anywhere else.

I-20 to Hwy 84 at Sweetwater Texas
Hwy 84 to Santa Rosa NM
I-40 home.

option #2

I-20 to Ft Worth
N on loop I820 to I-35
I-35 to Hwy 287
Hwy 287 thru Wichita Falls to Amarillo TX
pick back up on I-40 in Amarillo

[padredw]

If I may suggest a modification of the post above. If I were on US 82 (at Sherman, Texas) I would follow it all the way to Henrietta, Texas (near Wichita Falls), then take US 287 to Amarillo to pick up I-40 there. We make this route several times a year going to Colorado.

I can recommend RV parks along this route: Wichita Falls RV Park (old but good for overnight), Rocking A at Vernon, Ole Town Cotton Gin RV Park at Goodlett, Texas. We most often stay at Old Town as there are level pull-through sites handy for overnight. In Amarillo there is Overnight RV Park where we have stayed and Oasis Park where we have not stayed, but find favorable reviews.

Of course, we go more to Santa Fe than to Albuquerque. We stay at the Santa Fe Skies RV Park which is out toward Albuquerque.

[GraciesDaddy]

Uh... You can't get there from here. 😉

That said, Y'might try U.S. 69 from I-20 at Lindale, Tx.; all the way northwest to U.S. 82 West; to I-35 at Gainesville, Tx. You can then take I-35 into OKCity and west on I-40. That avoids Dallas AND Arkansas. Have I traversed this route myself? No. Just a GoogleMap perusal that follows your criteria.

If you're knees are giving you that much trouble, try sliding your driver's seat back a couple inches. (Disregard if your problems are from an injury(ies)... You do have my compassion and understanding for it.)