Best way through Arkansas going north

in Arkansas between Texarkana and I-40 is the worst part (US-71) but the alternate options aren't much better. You could do a lot worse [in Arkansas] than US-71

Don't be tempted to try US-259/59 (Oklahoma) or US-271/69. They're doable, but you won't gain anything except beat your truck up more.

 

You can try going to alexandra LA which is to your NE, your goal at Alexandra is US 71 bypass to US 167 north.

Running through the woods you eventually end up south of little rock then work your way towards KC. Ugh not that good.

Alexandra to shreveport on I 49 offers I 20 towards Dallas. Eat the three hours into dallas then north on 35. That positions you for KC.

I-35 to KC is another 8 hours and change. If you aint rolling tonight like right now you might not make it KC by sunrise and 11 hours. Other roads offer a bit less than 11 hours to KC according to google maps but again in the ozarks system and tulsa etc you will be beating your truck. I think if you left right now at 6PM you are going to be around 1 hour prior to KC by 7 AM tomorrow morning and have to stop for your 10. Then no delivery on time right? Little Rock to KC requires a full day the other way.... You are already somewhat out of position.

The Ozarks that STexan refers to is a barrier a pretty formidable one.
\
Contact your dispatcher right now and get a new appt time. Or have a team waiting in some position to grab your load so that customer will be served.

 

Sometimes it can be easy, sometimes not. Just depends on the day/time you traverse it and your luck.

 

Buddy 71 is the easy north/south route.

Try us63, us 65 167, 412, AR 7 is a doo'zee in northern AR.

 

I run 71 from Texarkana up past ft Smith all the time I'm a tanker, to boot. It's fine.
Other than there is now a 57,000(fifty something) lbs weight rated bridge on 71, a few miles north of Ashdown. I honestly don't remember that sign ever being there before up until a couple months ago. I still run it and so do the log haulers and everyone else, buy it makes me nervous

 

Thats adding over 100 plus miles going around to Little Rock, I use to run 71 all the time from Texarcana i always thought the hard part of that trip was on 71 North of 40,from Alma but that was when it was all 2 lane now its easy 4 lane up there.

 

If it's anywhere near mcalester this time of year, it's 5 gallons bug fluid to cross that lake north of there. Clouds of skeeters live there.

I don't do too much north south across there. It's a succession of valleys and mountain ridges, walls really that go to 900 feet above sea level in nothing at all. East and west is fine. But north and south? whoo...

I taint minded it too much. It's either dallas or little rock, I chose dallas earlier this evening. Provided dispatch can buy more and later appt time for early afternoon.