Memphis to Paducah KY

[JohnG3]

Best route from Memphis area (maybe a little before or after) to Paducah KY pulling a 38 ft. 5th wheel trailer in mid to late April?

[edm3rd]

I-55 crosses the river at W Memphis, AR into Memphis, TN and goes south into Mississippi. I-55 North at W Memphis, AR heads toward Missouri, and, as mentioned has a spur I-155 crossing the Miss River to Dyersburg - divided 4 lane limited access ala interstate. Other option is to cross the river on I-40 into Memphis, and take US-51 north to Dyersburg. It is mostly divided 4-lane, but not limited access.

Also mentioned was US-45, again mostly divided 4 lane, but NOT limited access. You can take I-40 east from Memphis and pick up US-45 in Jackson, TN and head north.

[zigzagrv]

Johno02 wrote:
DO NOT USE US62 ACROSS THE RIVERS AT CAIRO!!! And that is shouting for a reason! I would not even walk across those bridges!

Hehe. Noel, I took those bridges on the way to Branson one year. The bridge over the Ohio river was narrow, but not too bad. However, the bridge over the Mississippi was downright SCARY, especially when you have an 18 wheeler coming at you. Our mirrors could not have missed each other by no more than a couple inches. Since then I go thru Cairo and pick up I-55.

[padredw]

John wrote:
I looked at going north a few miles after Memphis (155 or 55?) that looked pretty direct and an easy drive.

You are on the right track.

Padredw wrote:
Unless you are specifically going to Memphis, I would take I-55 at West Memphis, Arkansas. . .You could take I-155 over to Dyersburg, Tennessee, then I-69 up to US 51 at Union City, TN to connect with the Purchase Parkway in Kentucky/US 45 on to Paducah.

[JohnG3]

Johno02 wrote:
Do you have any problem with two-lane roads?? You can get there all four-lane, but its long-way around. but like I said, forget the bridges at Cairo.

No issues with two lane roads. I just looked at the Cairo bridge on Google Earth as a driver and I know my DW will have a difficult time crossing it.

I looked at going north a few miles after Memphis (155 or 55?) that looked pretty direct and an easy drive.

[doxiemom11]

We go north(from MS coastal area) on US 45 to Paducah and it's a good road. It's mostly 4 lane divided with just a few 2 lane areas, but not much traffic, so easy traveling.

[coolmom42]

Take either I-55 or US51 to Dyersburg. Take US 51 around Dyersburg & Union City, and up to Fulton, KY. Take Purchase Parkway (mostly re-labelled as I-69) to I-24 and Paducah.

You can cut off a lot of miles by getting off Purchase Parkway in Mayfield, KY and pick up US45 straight into Paducah. It's a perfectly good road.

[padredw]

OK in light of post just before mine, the I-155 route seems even a better choice.

[Johno02]

Do you have any problem with two-lane roads?? You can get there all four-lane, but its long-way around. but like I said, forget the bridges at Cairo.

[padredw]

Unless you are specifically going to Memphis, I would take I-55 at West Memphis, Arkansas.

You could go all the way up to I-57 and then US 62, OR

You could take I-155 over to Dyersburg, Tennessee, then I-69 up to US 51 at Union City, TN to connect with the Purchase Parkway in Kentucky/US 45 on to Paducah.

Either way will work. I am more familiar with the I-155/Purchase Parkway route.

[Johno02]

DO NOT USE US62 ACROSS THE RIVERS AT CAIRO!!! And that is shouting for a reason! I would not even walk across those bridges!