Take 67 instead of the interstate. It is shorter and much better road in my opinion. This is the way we travel from Texas to northern Ill at least twice a year. HW 67 north of Little Rock is a bumpy the first 17 miles on 67 (road joints) but gets smooth the rest of the way. It's almost all 4 lane and the 2 lane is wide with good shoulders. You can run all the way on 67 to 255 or cut east at Poplar Bluff to Sikeston and catch on to 55 and go north. HW 67 is much more scenic and relaxed than 55.
2003 Dutchstar (reskinned/paint 2009)
2016 Ford F150