I-40 West of Memphis

[Kountryguy]

Thinking of traveling from Memphis, TN to Elk City, OK. Is I-40 as bad as I remember it? Are there any better routes pulling a 40" fiver?

[1320Fastback]

Road conditions were pretty good when we went though a while ago. Also was during the night so zero traffic.

[down_home]

Traffic on I40 is bad with semis running the left lane and blocking up the whole state it seems.Once west of Ft Smith it opens up a lot. Oklahoma laws on left lane use really work....for the most part.

[TxGearhead]

Last time I was on it it was pouring rain. Someone spun out in the median, troopers blocked the left lane. I slowed down and turned on my flashers. 18 wheeler apparently didn't see what was happening and almost ran over the trooper. Be careful in the rain.
Road was good though.

[padredw]

This is a route we take several times each year as it is our gateway to anywhere northeast of home. Yes, the truck traffic is heavy both on I-30 to Little Rock and on I-40 on to Memphis--sometimes trucks in both lanes of the highway, but . . . I, too, have found the drivers to be courteous and careful as they can be under those circumstances. The bottom line is that I can travel at my own speed almost without exception and feel no hesitation to use this route. The surface is better than on many other Interstates.

WITH ONE EXCEPTION: If it is raining I will try to find any alternate I possibly can. The spray from the trucks makes driving for me very dangerous because of decrease in visibility. That would be true of any highway with much truck traffic.

[jswat]

We've traveled I-40 west between Memphis and Little Rock two round trips lately. The construction is mostly complete and the roadway is very smooth. Heavy truck traffic but they keep moving which allows me to maintain a smooth 63-65 MPH.

[Turn_Key]

Have traveled that route a number of time, last time was last fall. Though there is a good amount of truck traffic, I have always found the truckers to be very considerate, as a whole, and much more so on this road as opposed to other "super slabs". I don't know why this is but all the insanity seems to simmer down the moment I am on I-40.

Take it for what its worth and have a great trip! Happy Camping!

[doxiemom11]

We use US 64 also - very pleasant drive.

[GizmosMom]

Just traveled that route twice in the past two weeks. Many, many trucks but after traveling in Indiana, Michigan and Illinois we felt the roads in Arkansas were great! I-40 between Memphis and Little Rock was not bad at all IMHO

[RoyF]

It's as bad, or worse: bumper to bumper truck traffic between Memphis and Little Rock. You might think about using US 64, which reconnects with I-40 at Conway, AR. That avoids the heavy truck traffic and also bypasses the Little Rock traffic.