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GizmosMom's avatar
GizmosMom
Explorer
Jun 13, 2017

From Texas: OK/MO/AR or Arkansas/Missouri/Illinois?

Driving up to Bolingbrook, Illinois from Texas(Streetman--Richland Chambers area) for a wedding in late July.

I know that US 69 in Oklahoma can be rough and I also know that IH 40 past Little Rock can be rough and full of trucks.

Can't decide which route to take. Both are essentially the same time-wise. The Oklahoma route is slightly shorter in miles.

Should I just flip a coin? Anyone traveled these routes recently?
Thanks.
  • An alternative to part of I-40 is to take US Hwy 64 from Conway to Marion/West Memphis. Avoids heavy truck traffic and Little Rock, maybe adds 20-30 minutes. Part of 64 is divided 4-lane, truck traffic is light, plus part of route has alternating 3 lane passing sections every 5-10 miles. Not that many towns to slow you down either.
  • 55 is a bit rough but not horrible through AR, around St. Louis, and around Bloomington.
  • Take one route north, the other route back. See some countryside