US 78

[WWC]

This has most likely been beaten to death, but I could not find anything on it.
Can someone tell me what US 78 is like between Birmingham,AL to Memphis Tn. I understand that this road is being converted to an Interstate, but not sure what to expect now. Will be towing a 5th wheel and traveling on either Saturday or Sunday.
Thanks in advance

[edm3rd]

I also highly recommend Thom's advice - there is a huge concentration of distribution warehouses and also a large railroad yard along Lamar (US 78) between Memphis and Olive Branch, his bypass via I-55 is an excellent route. You won't hit construction until after crossing the Miss River, but there is about a 5 mile stretch in West Memphis where both I-40 and I-55 share a common roadway. The construction zone is single lane on each side with a 45mph speed limit, but currently it moves ok, with only occasional backups. The I-40 Mississippi bridge has it's own construction project, and has lane reductions on/near the bridge in downtown Memphis. Just stay on I-55 in West Memphis until you get to where I-40 splits off from I-55.

[WWC]

Hi Thom
Thank you very much for this great report. Your directions will be perfect for us.
From our home in SC, this route will take about 60 miles off the trip as compared to going toward NC and Interstate 40.
Thanks again
wwc

[Thom02099]

I have family that formerly lived in Jasper,AL so I've driven that many times, am familiar with it as it's progressed from US 78 to "Corridor X" to "Future I-22". The only thing that's preventing the Interstate designation is the completion of the southern terminus outside Birmingham near Fultondale.

In Alabama, the roadway is fine, it meets all the standards for Interstate designation. There's a few hilly spots, some ups/downs particularly as one gets toward the Mississippi line, but not a problem.

In Mississippi, from the state line to Tupelo, it's more up/down but again not a problem. There's a wonderful welcome center as you get in to Mississippi. Again, it meets Interstate criteria. As you get closer to Memphis, the roadway is a bit older, as it's been around as limited access highway for a while. Last time I was through that area, there were some potholes and cracks in the roadway surface, made it a bit of a challenge, but it's nothing major.

Once you cross the state line into Tennessee, US 78 becomes Lamar Ave. Even though it's four lane, it's very congested...at least the times I've gone that way. I normally don't go all the way in to Memphis that way; I usually cut over on Hwy 302/Goodman Rd to Southaven and then get on I-55 to the Mississippi River Bridge. Goodman Rd can also get congested, particularly as you get closer to I-55, so if you go that way, make sure you're in the far right lane to get on to I-55 NB. Also be aware that, if you go that way, there may still be construction on I-55 once you get into Tennessee.