Grand Lake, OK heading South to TX

[stengels]

Heading to TX in a couple of weeks. Leaving SW Missouri, down to Grand Lake and US 69 Hwy. Has anyone taken US 69 down toward TX? Plan on stopping at the casino in Durant as a half-way stop. Once I get to Dallas (US 75), will then head down I-45 to Spring, TX (Rayford Crossing). Sound like a reasonable route?

[BB_TX]

We have driven 69 from I-44 a number of times over the years, but not in the last 3 yrs. Overall a good highway, but there have been instances of some really rough pavement in some sections, especially the last trip between Atoka and McAlester. But I have heard they had repaved that.

You will hit about 3 miles of major reconstruction of 75 as you pass thru McKinney, TX. But not too much of a problem other than some narrow lanes and lane shifts. Just don't do the McKinney to Dallas portion from 6:30 am to 9:00 am.

[dieselguy]

I can't comment on the entire route, but lash things down good as from Vinita on down thru Muskogee it's pretty darn rough. Stop at the little train depot in Checota right off the highway as it has lotsa history behind it. From there on, you'll see lotsa small town USA along the route, but you won't make much time if that is an issue.

[jlb27537]

We leave from Springfield, Mo. Take I44 to Joplin exit 11 and go south on 71 and it will run into I540. Take I540 S to I30. I30 west about 8 miles and then exit going south on I540 around Ft Smith and then west on 71. About 3 miles west of the casino in Ft Smith cut off on Oklahoma 112. Turn south and it will merge with Ok 270/59. Follow 59 south and turn left on Ok 259 to Broken Bow, Ok We spend the night on the north side of the casino parking lot and then we fuel at the onsite truck stop.

Continue south on 259 to Nacogdoches where you join 59. South to Houston on 59. Spring being north of Houston, couple of roads cross over west to Spring.

You will not make a lot of time on this route, but we enjoy it. The Hills in eastern Oklahoma, some might not like them, we enjoy it cause usually there is zero traffic. North of Broken Bow they are logging, so might have some log trucks for 15 miles.

We hate the interstates and usually only drive the 2 lanes.

Jim

[padredw]

I am with Jim 100%. This is the route we always take. Of course, we live right on US 259 in East Texas. Even so, this is the route I would take.

[dieselguy]

Jim ... although I agree that the scenery along 59 / 259 south of Poteau is well worth experiencing aren't you pulling on some insanely steep grades (remember I'm from Kansas) going up and coming back down the Winding Stair Mountain area? We've driven just the truck on Highway 1 atop the mountain chain stopping at almost every pullout ... it's awesome. When we did pull down to Broken Bow Lake, we came from the west on Highway 3 and stayed at the Acorn Campground below the dam.

[jlb27537]

Hi Kansas, Once you turn south off 59 onto 259 (about 13 miles south of Heavner) you do encounter some grades. (for about 20 miles) But I never considered them insane. Just some hills in eastern Oklahoma.

I have driven this route for several years, in my pusher (300 CAT) and now with my Ram. You might have to lock it in 3rd or 4th for a bit, but the drive is worth it.

We have done 400 across the bottom of Kansas to connect with 50 @ Dodge City to get to the promise land west of Pueblo, so I know flat. The folks in Garden City pray for a hill. Ha.

A decent hill, look up going from Buena Vista, Co west to Taylor Park over Cottonwood pass.. or Hwy 40 from Keystone, SD to Hermosa. Think it is either 12 or 15%. Now that was a "hill". I forgot to mention, going east on Oregon 140, east of HW 395 there is a hill that I had to pull down to 1st gear to go up. Naw, the stuff in eastern Oklahoma is nothing.

Jim