Traveling I-40 west

[jceherm1]

Hello we are making our first RV (32' Motorhome) trip from NC to Grand Canyon this April planned on I-40 all the way any advice or things to look out for.
Thanks

[ken56]

Definitely be prepared for wind across OK and TX. As stated before its always blowing. The only variable is how hard. I think you can expect a steady 15mph with gusts to 30 usually. Its typical.

[big_whitey]

RamblinManGA wrote:
Hi from AZ. . . take it from someone who just made the trip, that Arkansas construction is STILL happening on I-40. They closed it when we were Eastbound. CLOSED IT ! 40 has been this way for 5 or 6 years at least, very annoying. Coming back West, we took I-55 to US 64W to Conway & back on 40. Wasn't pretty but it worked. No sitting for us !. Course we missed Nick's Catfish & BBQ in Carlisle, but. . . The OK sections are mostly finished & fine now.. . .You'll love trip ! regards, Craig

Thanks a bunch for the heads up. We are headed in that direction Feb 17 and will heed your warning and take the route you recommended.

[PawPaw_n_Gram]

2gypsies wrote:
we ran into a huge snowstorm the end of April west of Albuquerque, NM on I-40.

We ran into rain, flooding and tiny BB sized hail six inches deep which closed I-40 east of Gallup - in August.

You are right - always watch the weather - and be prepared.

Had a friend stuck four days in his Class A DP a couple years ago in the Meteor Crater RV Park in AZ - because the wind was flipping over empty 18-wheeler trailers between Flagstaff and the NM border.

[RamblinManGA]

P.S. .from AZ. . . We got 18.8 mpg headed East (with the wind), and 15.6 headed West (into it) As others have mentioned, Wind blows all the time across OK,TX,& NM !!! regards, Craig

[RamblinManGA]

Hi from AZ. . . take it from someone who just made the trip, that Arkansas construction is STILL happening on I-40. They closed it when we were Eastbound. CLOSED IT ! 40 has been this way for 5 or 6 years at least, very annoying. Coming back West, we took I-55 to US 64W to Conway & back on 40. Wasn't pretty but it worked. No sitting for us !. Course we missed Nick's Catfish & BBQ in Carlisle, but. . . The OK sections are mostly finished & fine now.. . .You'll love trip ! regards, Craig

[lizzie]

Horsedoc wrote:
One of the longest days I have ever spent in a MH was across Oklahoma several years ago. Steady wind blowing out of the South all day long, ALL day long! Steady pressure on the steering wheel made me think the front end was out of alignment. Pulled into Ft Smith at the end of the day, nearly dark, and did not even eat, just plugged in and went to sleep.
Hope I never have to make that long and boring trip again.

We had this experience in early June of 2005. At the end of the day we were having dinner at a truck stop. One of the truckers was on his cell phone talking to his wife. He said, "I'm done pooped out. I feel like I been dragging a boat anchor behind the rig all the way from Oklahoma City." Yes! lizzie

[Horsedoc]

One of the longest days I have ever spent in a MH was across Oklahoma several years ago. Steady wind blowing out of the South all day long, ALL day long! Steady pressure on the steering wheel made me think the front end was out of alignment. Pulled into Ft Smith at the end of the day, nearly dark, and did not even eat, just plugged in and went to sleep.
Hope I never have to make that long and boring trip again.

[edm3rd]

There are 2 options to avoid I-40 construction between Little Rock and West Memphis (eastern half of the state).

Option 1 is US 70 which closely parallels I-40 and generally is only a few miles south of the interstate, but generally goes through small towns without bypasses.

Option 2 is US 64 which is 10-20 miles north of the interstate from Marion (5 miles north of West Memphis on I-55) through Wynne, Bald Knob, then combines going southwest with US 67 from Searcy to Beebe (divided 4 lane), and US 64 west from Beebe to Conway to rejoin I-40. Most towns are bypassed, and US 64 particularly has periodic alternating 3 lane sections for passing. MapQuest quotes 10 miles less distance Marion to Conway, but 10 minutes longer travel time.

[TyroneandGladys]

A good overnight stop In NM is the Dancing Eagle Casino RV Park $10 with hookups. If you are into the Old West you might want to follow the Santa Fe trail on your return trip. PM if you want more info on the trail.

[dbbls]

If you are into the old west things, Fort Smith on the Arkansas, Oklahoma border has the old courthouse of judge Parker, the hanging judge. This judge and his deputy's were the law for the Indian territory in the late 1800's. There is a replica of the gallows as well as the old jail in the basement of the courthouse.

[djsamuel]

jceherm1 wrote:
Thanks to all that have replied with some great info although we are not new to RVing we have stayed in the SE and have never ventured out west...really looking forward to the trip Thanks again for the info

You will love the trip. Here are some pictures from our trip in September:

Grand Canyon Sunset

Bright Angel Trail

Other Grand Canyon Pictures

The campground pictures at the Grand Canyon are from Trailer Village. It was a great place to stay.

And, in case you're interested:

Arches National Park - Moab, UT

Canyonlands National Park - Moab, UT

[jceherm1]

Thanks to all that have replied with some great info although we are not new to RVing we have stayed in the SE and have never ventured out west...really looking forward to the trip Thanks again for the info

[JohnG3]

PenMan wrote:
I was in NC for the month of October. I would drive an extra 500 miles to avoid Arkansas. Actually I did take the southern route back thru Mississippi and Louisiana to avoid going thru Arkansas again (went straight out I-40 going to NC). I think they dig up the road intentionally, patch it, then dig it up again to try to keep you in the state longer. I think it was about 300 miles longer but so much more enjoyable and actually took less time. If you don't mind a full day of road construction and sitting still on the road then I-40 is shorter. Other than that, I-40 is fine.

That is one long term construction project. I went through 4 years ago and the Little Rock area was a mess then.

[lizzie]

When we go west from NC (which we most often do)we usually take I-40. There are lots of great places to camp spaced at good intervals. This is a very long interstate and there will always be areas of construction and/or poor road surfaces. West of Oklahoma City used to be a real problem, now there are some bad sections in Arkansas. Spring weather can be variable too. We even have late snow in NC sometimes. I am more concerned about the wind and possibility of tornados. As always, keep an eye on the weather and enjoy your trip. lizzie