Highway 400 or 54 Kansas

I use US 54 pretty frequently and have never seen DOT set up on it. I usually get 54 from Tucumcarri NM thur TX OK and KS.

 

It's complicated, but if you REALLY need to skate by any DOT there's a series of dirt farm roads to run across Kansas. Best just to have your CB on and be legal anyway.

If you are legal and just want to run (assuming to or from Tucumcari, NM to Wichita, KS) then US-54 the whole way. I've run that a lot, but have NEVER seen an open scale or surprise inspection point (other than entering NM).

 

Let me say this.

Whatcha worried about DOT? Come on. Seriously. Be legal.

Yes you will find many stories about working around DOT etc.. and all sorts of bad non legal stuff. But those days are finished. You are a professional driver, choice of routes should provide for best least resistance to your ability to maintain 70 or whatever for hours or days. In this case it's 54. #### you for worrying about a spot of DOT waiting to talk with you. Come on bud, get some extry coffee and munchies for them. least you can do is make their day a little more easier during inspections.

Remember that any DOT if they are mean and really predatory they WILL find something. YOU will pay.

So chill. Roll on. Hell with the DOT... they are not the problem today.

 

If there IS some kind of surprise inspection point along US-54 AND you elect to run the dirt roads, then be prepared for some fun times. I've run these into oil rigs and wind farms. Plenty of bridges rated for 10 tons or less and if it's raining then chaining is in the cards. They have sticky mud up there.

 

For me in NM vs DOT is up on the old Raton road, I think called 287 They would be waiting up on the summit for me when I come up there looking for the big road to run to Denver. But spend a few moments on the little scales under each wheel being light on fuel is not a problem.

Tucamari is a small stop I prefer to bypass due to too many people coming up and pestering for a ride out of state or something. That's just too much.

 

I always stop at Tucumcari, just because I like the name of the town and writing it in my logbook.

 

54 from Wichita to Joplin would run you out of route some. Never have seen DOT set up anywhere other than the that old weigh station at Crestline on 400/160 Jct. Unless your truck has an obvious defect and your passed or meet a trooper, i wouldn't worry about it.
Construction sucks but going way out of the way to avoid it doesn't seem wise.