I-40 Little Rock to Memphis

[TexasPhillip]

Headed to Nashville late May and the best route from east Texas seems to be I-30 to Little Rock and then east to Memphis on I-40 and on to Nashville.
If memory serves the last time I traveled I-40 (about 5 years ago)it was very rough. Lots of expansion joints and rough bridge transitions, not to mention huge pot holes. Has there been any improvements in the last five years? Any help or updates appreciated.

[TexasPhillip]

That is all great information and just exactly what I was looking for. Thanks!!!!!!!

[edm3rd]

DUNEBUGGYDOUG wrote:
A little info for you eastbound travelers on I-40 coming into Memphis that can save you a lot of trouble.At the east end of bridge take Danny Thomas Blvd.(Hwy51) north and go about 10/12 miles.Take Paul Barrett Parkway (385) east.It will take you to the far eastern side of Memphis.If you need a place to spend the nite Shelby Forest State Park is off 51 just north of Memphis

This route will rejoin I-40 at exit/mm 24. It is virtually all 4 lane and most of it is divided 4 lane.

[edm3rd]

Kit Carson wrote:
Talked to my son this afternoon. He was on his way from Pine Bluff, Ark to Memphis on I-40 east. He was at a dead stop and had been for about 10 minutes. Avoid at all costs!!

One option to avoid the West Memphis construction on I-40 if you are eastbound is to take either exit 271 (US 70), drive thru downtown West Memphis. This is Broadway, and is 2 lanes in both directions within the town. It becomes I-55 and will carry you across the "old" bridge over the Miss River into Memphis. Another option is exit 275 (Hwy 118), right turn (south) to US 70/Broadway, but a greater chance of getting caught in backed up traffic than getting off at exit 271.

If westbound on I-40 coming thru Memphis, I would take the I-55 bridge rather than the I-40 bridge. The pavement construction is the section that I-40/I-55 shares (I-40 mm 277 to mm 281).

[DUNEBUGGYDOUG]

A little info for you eastbound travelers on I-40 coming into Memphis that can save you a lot of trouble.At the east end of bridge take Danny Thomas Blvd.(Hwy51) north and go about 10/12 miles.Take Paul Barrett Parkway (385) east.It will take you to the far eastern side of Memphis.If you need a place to spend the nite Shelby Forest State Park is off 51 just north of Memphis

[DUNEBUGGYDOUG]

A little info for you eastbound travelers on I-40 coming into Memphis that can save you a lot of trouble.At the east end of bridge take Danny Thomas Blvd.(Hwy51) north and go about 10/12 miles.Take Paul Barrett Parkway (385) east.It will take you to the far eastern side of Memphis.If you need a place to spend the nite Shelby Forest State Park is off 51 just north of Memphis

[Kit_Carson]

Talked to my son this afternoon. He was on his way from Pine Bluff, Ark to Memphis on I-40 east. He was at a dead stop and had been for about 10 minutes. Avoid at all costs!!

[bartletttravell]

You could always take I-20 to I-59 to I-65. about 800 miles

[jgolden]

Glad I saw this info. Guess I will head a little further south and hit I-20 west. Will have to go through Atlanta but my last trip from Little Rock to West Memphis was pretty slow but that was two years ago. Thought they might be done:)

[edm3rd]

Fer2005 wrote:
Just don't come thru Memphis before 9 a.m. or from about 4-6 p.m. CRAZY DRIVERS!

Have lived in Memphis for almost 50 years. The Crazy Drivers don't use clocks, beware anytime, especially on the expressways. Unfortunately the construction that started Nov 2013 will be the most disruptive in 30 years, and its about a 4 year project at I40/240 at the east end of the city. The project in West Memphis (Arkansas) I-40 mm 277-281 pavement/bridge deck rebuild just adds insult to injury.

[Fer2005]

Just don't come thru Memphis before 9 a.m. or from about 4-6 p.m. CRAZY DRIVERS!

[edm3rd]

Major payment reconstruction from I-40 mm 275 to mm 279 in West Memphis. Total pavement replacement (digging down 3 feet) plus bridge deck rebuilding. This is the section in W Memphis that is both I-40 and I-55. Single lane only in both directions.
One option is get off at mm 271 and take US 70/79 (Broadway) thru W Memphis, which becomes I-55, cross the Miss River on the I-55 bridge, then follow I-240 to return I-40.

if you go thru Memphis, you will hit another bottleneck at the east edge of the city, where I-40 meets I-240 - single lane with construction of new flyovers and replacement of bridges. The project began Nov 2013, may take up to 4 years to complete.

Good luck.

[WMMitchell81554]

Just covered that route last week, some delays, sections rough.

[TexasPhillip]

Well maybe the construction means they are working on making it better. Thanks for the reply.

[sremsing]

Currently lots of road construction thru there, lots of one lane traffic each way. Expect delays.