us71 in ark.

It's not too bad.

 

My first trip up that road was in about 89 , a load of roll stock paper on my 85 kw k100 e aerodyne..310 cat with 9 speed .
Dark and raining like Billy hell ...was a long nite !

 

You want "fun"? Just about ANY route through Mtn. View is going to be a blast! I go through there all of the time...run 9 N/B, but watch your speed & don't overheat your brakes going down that loooooong, straight grade into Allison...you've got to make a right hand turn at the bottom. Then you're greeted with a sign that says "steep grades and sharp curves next 23 miles"...basically all of the way to Melbourne. 58 East from 14 isn't much better. Pulling the hill out of Guion, I'm down to 3rd gear (out of 18...) with 485 HP and 4.17 rears and it's still losing speed. Sure, I could run 14 back to Batesville, but that's not as direct of a route...long way around. Might try 5 up through Calico Rock one of these days...it's usually dark by the time I'm on my way through, which adds to the fun factor...keeps you on your toes.

Arkansas has some of the most fun roads once you get off the interstate a ways. Ozarks are a beautiful place...just wish I could drive 'em more often during DAYLIGHT hours.

 

71 isn't bad. Just don't expect to average 65 mph the whole way. And honestly, unless you drive 200 miles out of the way there just isn't a better route.

Edit to add: is also the states preferred routing for od loads heading south so how bad can it be?

 

It's funny how these are the nights that we remember the most.

 

Yeah we all have those trips that stick in our minds lol...that was one of em .

 

Yep, getting old

 

Don't take that road.

Try Oklahoma and work north along the line.

US71 has a number of crooked curves and if you don't already have an idea what's waiting for you don't use it.

I think they have been building a new highway dead south from Fort Smith that will improve transit times.

It's slow, but again keep an eye out for the crookies...