Road Conditions

[BUBBA-NONNIE]

I will be traveling from Bakersfield, CA to Branson Mo. in the near future. I would like some input on your preference to travel I10 or I40 to Texas. I know I40 can be like a rub board.

Thank you for input.

John

[Ram Montana High Country]

it's still wintertime - my decision would lean towards the forecast for critical sections of the road

[BB_TX]

I-40 is certainly a lot shorter. I would be inclined to check long range weather forecast and take I-40 if the weather looked favorable. By early to mid March it will likely not be a problem. And even if something blows thru, roads probably ok after 2-3 days. Good rest break. And March is only 3 weeks away.

Have only driven parts of I-40 and been a few years. Across Texas and eastern part of NM was good highway. From Eufaula, OK to Ft Smith was rough, BUT they were rebuilding the highway at the time.

I-40 from Albuquerque to Flagstaff was good but that was many many years ago.

[twindman]

I have driven I40 several times from Flagstaff to Ok., I think Oklahoma City. I didn't have much to complain about. Also took I10 from Phoenix area to I20 and then I think I got off before Dallas to avoid traffic. Don't remember anything bad there either.
I10 nearing the Louisiana border is horrible (maybe it was actually in La tho).

[BUBBA-NONNIE]

I appreciate everyone's input. I have using I40, but I lost 3 leaf springs last year. I have never been on I10 with my Montana 5th wheel.

[DadsHemi]

58 to I40 to I 44 would be the quickest way.

[scottz]

We traveled I-40 from TN to NM a few months ago; I don't recall any bad sections; certainly nothing that would have broken springs. Traveled it from NM to CA this month; no issues.

[Hblick48]

Originally Posted by BUBBA-NONNIE

I appreciate everyone's input. I have using I40, but I lost 3 leaf springs last year. I have never been on I10 with my Montana 5th wheel.

I've had 2 leaf springs fail, one on I 5 northbound over the grapevine, and another westbound I 80 through Nevada.

Turns out that rig had 6,000 pound axles with 2,500 pound springs. Replaced all 4 leaf springs with 3,000 pound springs and haven't had any issues since. BTW, weak springs caused me to wear out the inside tread of 4 new tires in 6,000 miles.

[Mocron]

Originally Posted by BUBBA-NONNIE

I will be traveling from Bakersfield, CA to Branson Mo. in the near future. I would like some input on your preference to travel I10 or I40 to Texas. I know I40 can be like a rub board.

Thank you for input.

John

Having spent considerable time recently in TX and OK my suggestion would be to not go east of Houston if traveling I-10. In fact, I -20 is pretty good. I'd get off near Abilene and go to Wichita Falls. It's mostly four lane to Wichita Falls. I'd take the H.E.Bailey turnpike to OKC to I-35/40. Go north on I-35 toward Wichita/Tulsa and pick up I-44 (Turner Turnpike) through NE OK to MO. This route through OKC avoids most of the current construction. If you choose to travel I-40 I'd still take I-35 north to I-44. I-40 east of OKC gets pretty bumpy for 5vrs. Safe travels.

[KirkFess]

I have driven i40 from NC to Texas. Decent road in 2019. I10 in eastern Texas was terrible in 2018. I would take i40 if the weather permits.

[Bad Moon]

I don’t know about I-10, but I-40 isn’t too bad condition-wise, but there are a few rough areas in Arizona. The biggest problem is all the trucks; there are literally more trucks than cars, and a good percentage of the truck drivers are inconsiderate a******s.

[Bad Moon]

I need to amend my previous answer, since we just drove from Las Vegas to Prescott. I 40 eastbound is really REALLY rough from about 30 miles west of Selligman to Ash Fork. Some of the potholes were so bad, I was sure I would break a wheel .