Rt 65 from Branson to Little Rock

[smlranger]

How is 65 south from Branson? We will need to stop in Searcy, AR after leaving Branson. I remember being told by an employee at ABC RV Park in Branson some years ago to avoid that road in an RV if possible.

[hhornig]

If you want a short side trip go to Gilbert. It is where 65 passes Ferguson's just before the Buffalo River. It is about 8 miles off of 65 and is a little village where people have access to the river for kayaks and canoes.
There is a RV park, a shop, and a restaurant in the village. River is quite interesting there and you can swim, hike or just pick up rocks. There are no parking lots, but parking on the street is not a problem.

[smlranger]

We drove 65 and it was easy for sure. I would not call it especially scenic.

[hotpepperkid]

Bipeflier wrote:
Just take 65! It is a major N/S route.

The only issue is the slow down north of LR at the construction area.

Don't overthink it.

Exactly, I took that route last year and found it to be a good road. If you can't negotiate that route then you better just stay on the Interstate in CO and WY

[Mr_Beebo]

65 is the best route thru the area. It is interstate and non stop. You are not going to avoid hills in that part of Missouri and the scenery is magnificent.

[rnelson]

The trip from Mountain Home to Searcy is not bad, but I would just stay on 65 to Conway, then cut across to Searcy. Hwy. 65 is a very pretty drive. No, the road is not straight, but you're in the Ozark Mountains.

[RamTX]

Traveled that road from Conway to Branson and back about 6 weeks ago. From Conway to Clinton it is 4 lane undivided except for a small stretch of two lane. From Clinton to just south of Harrison, it is two lane-hilly and curvy but nothing excessively steep. Road surface was good. The only thing about this stretch is the lack of shoulders, but there were no dropoffs. There were some passing lanes best I can remember. From the Missouri-Arkansas line to Branson was an excellent 4 lane divided highway. Certainly not the worse road I have ever towed on. Would go this route again when going to Branson.

[Bipeflier]

Just take 65! It is a major N/S route.

The only issue is the slow down north of LR at the construction area.

Don't overthink it.

[smlranger]

Looks like an alternative route would be to take 412/62 at Harrison over to Mountain Home and pick up 67 down to Searcy. Is that route any better?

[AdirondackJack]

Sounds like some mountain scenery to Little Rock (and a challenge for our F-250)! Any good RV route suggestions from Little Rock to New Orleans? Appreciate the restaurant suggestion too. We are always looking for good Mom & Pop places to eat.

[Dick_B]

Highway 65 thru the Ozark mountains is the worst road we have ever been on for towing; worst than the Rockies. The road is up and down and around with no straight stretches seemingly forever. You may not have a choice but be prepared. As stated it eventually straightens out but the impression is indelible.

[hhornig]

It is 4 lane through Harrison, but has a lot of curves for the next 60 or so miles to Clinton. There are passing lanes for most of the hills, so it is not too bad. Watch your speed through the small towns as they are looking for income. The speed posting on the curves is pretty accurate for big rigs. There is a WalMart in Harrison and Clinton right on 65 otherwise there are not many places to pull off. One good restaurant is Fergusons between St. Joe and Marshall on the left. You can pull in off of 65 and swing out on the back north with a big rig.

[eHoefler]

We live in Shell Knob, Mo., about 30 miles west of Branson. We will pick up 65 in Harrison Ar., and heading down that road on 08/20, I can report back then.

[AdirondackJack]

We are planning a trip down that route as well this Fall and would also be interested in your replies.

[hl_remington]

Hwy.65 is a good road, you will have to pick up hwy.64 at Conway to hwy 167 to Searcy.167 is good to Little Rock