We will be visiting Hot Springs, Arkansas next week, then heading toward Oklahoma City. I wondered what the best route from Hot Springs back to I-40 would be for our 42' motorhome. I am looking at Hwy 270 from Hot Springs to 71, connecting to I-40 in Fort Smith (we are fulltimers, so not in a big hurry). Anyone taken this or have a better idea?
Thanks!
Rick
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We traveled part of that route last spring in between tornadoes.
It was raining much of the way up 71.
It is a winding and hilly route and took us a long time to reach Fort Smith.
Good scenery though.
I-40 is rough part of the way. The seams in the road will beat you do death.
Not sure we would change routes, but would investigate I-30 towards Paris, TX and up 271 for better highways. not as good scenery though.
Streets and trips calculates it will take over an hour longer, but I'm not sure it would be much longer as it wouldn't be as slow as going through the mountains up 71.
Hwy 71 was white knuckle all the way. 2 lane, no shoulder.
We always take 71. Right before Ft. Smith we take 540 into OK (becomes OK9) and take that over to 59, then up to I-40. We don't like going thru Ft. Smith.
You do have to take 71 slow but we didn't have any problems.
You can also take US70 west thru DeQueen and then up US259 thru Broken Bow.
Lonny & Diane
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I40 to Muskogee Turnpike has been repaved since last year. At least that section of road is decent from the AR border. Previous year(s) that road was horrid. Don't know about section west from the Turnpike.
Hwy 71 is no big deal north from Y City. Going through Ft Smith can be a bit slow but you can always cut off on the south side or stay on the 4-lane up to I40.
270 is the most direct way out of Hot Springs to head toward OK. Mostly easy drive, just all two lane.
Hwy 7 north out of Hot Springs is really scenic. Not a bad road, just slow and a little hilly (I've pulled 32' fifth wheel without any issue). You can follow this up to I40. It is actually faster than the 270/71 route, in my opinion.
I was on I-40 from Ft. Smith to OKC in late March - don't recall any problems at all.
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