interstate 40 from New York to Las Vegas

Make sure all your teeth are secure.

Crossing the Big Muddy at Memphis takes a bit of a detour, what with the cracked bridge. If you go that way, be sure to take in the pyramid. Bring your wallet. (It’s free, but only because there’s SO much cool stuff you never knew you needed, but you can buy it there.)

Where are you hitting 40? I-81 to Knoxville?

Do not carry cash in Tennessee.

I think I'd go zippity doodah to St Louis. In St Louis pick up I-44 to Oklahoma City. In OKC pickup I-40 and head west.

New York to I-40 has tons of options. Personally I'd cross the Mississippi River above Memphis, do not go through Memphis.

If the weather is good I might take I-70 through Denver and cross into Utah. In Utah get on I-15 and head south to Lost Wages NV. If the weather is not good, wintertime weather, I HATE driving I-70 from Denver going west. NO way I am going to put tire chains on. Eisenhower is good but the weather gets rough in the wintertime. Yeah Colorado does a good job snow plowing but I just don't want to mess with it. If you decide to go through Denver make sure the weather is good, then run it straight through to Grand Junction, don't dilly dally and stop and have the weather turn on you. If you're in Denver and the weather forecast goes bad, take I-25 south to Albuquerque and I-40.

Best wishes to you, good luck.

Cash works good in TN so why would you suggest to not carry it?

JRscooby wrote:
Do not carry cash in Tennessee.

Why?

I can only speak of recent experience on the stretch between Flagstaff and Amarillo. Expect numerous construction zones and lane closures. The road is in pretty bad condition especially the right lane.

Often you will see more 18 wheelers than cars. The big rig drivers are for the most part professionals trying to make a living. The problem with them arises on the steep hills when they slow down and stack up. A faster driving big rig or RV slowly passing others will cause some real slowdowns. You often have to drive with your eyes focused a half mile ahead so you don't get pinned in the right lane.

The most dangerous thing on the road are the cars driven by impatient jack rabbits weaving in and out of traffic and the idiots that don't know how to use a turn signal. Make sure you are driving rested and alert.

Good luck and be safe!

Two basic rules I am sure most kno0w...... When the Eway goes to 3 lanes stay in the middle one as folks entering and leaving will tighten up the first lane.
2. anytime going through a large city hop behind a big boy and drive. Semis do this trip very often so following them is a good thing. When the road goes back to 2 lanes ... drive on.

Horsedoc wrote:

JRscooby wrote:
Do not carry cash in Tennessee.

Why?

Any explanation would likely ruffle the red feathers on the moderators. Bet if you look at Civil Asset Forfeiture/I 40/Tennessee you might get the idea.
Years back, I contracted to spot a trailer of Red Cross supplies in Fla as hurricane prep. The plan was (and it worked) I would drop the trailer, ahead of storm, and bobtail home. Knowing plans don't always work I stopped at bank, withdrew enough cash to feed me and the Cat for a few days. On the way back, in Tennessee I was stopped for a random roadside safety check. While making sure the old Pete was safe to drive, LEO found the bank envelope, with the cash and withdraw slip under my mattress. That LEO, had to check with his sergeant, who had to call up COC, to decide if I could carry that cash home.