Cross Country Route Advice
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 123
Likes: 7
From: Maine
Cross Country Route Advice
I am in the process of planning our return route. After touring the Grand Canyon, Utah and New Mexico, we plan on heading East on Route 66 probably as far as Joplin, MO. Our next item on the agenda is to pick up the Cherahola hwy in TN. I have done a lot of searching on this and other forums and can't seem to find a good route across either Missouri or Arkansas and then across TN. Would prefer 2 lane routes if possible but if there are no good routes perhaps it would be best to just slab it across and save more time for the BRP, Skyline etc.
I know there are lots of eperienced tourers on this site and would appreciate any pointers. Thanks!
I know there are lots of eperienced tourers on this site and would appreciate any pointers. Thanks!
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,842
Likes: 502
From: Northern WV
I recall southern Missouri being pretty nice, 76 and 86 near Joplin being pleasant. Also northern Arkansas. Be advised there are some "dry" counties in northern Arkansas. No big deal just pack a flask for such emergencies.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,644
Likes: 224
From: Coeur d'Alene
There sure is some fine riding in northern Arkansas. Since you'll be in Joplin take a look at dropping down to Rogers. Then work your way across AR via Eureka Springs, Harrison, Mountain View, etc. All 2-lane with great riding and I'm thinking 2 riding days to Memphis from Joplin. From Memphis I'd slab it to East Tennessee because that's where the good stuff starts, although in typical eastern interstate style you'll be riding with a crap load of trucks a good bit of the time. Can't really avoid it unless you've got plenty of time and can route yourself on the back roads over to Tellico.
I'm going to watch this thread. I'm no good at routing and am riding from ny to az end of june. Hoping for some tips. If I mapquest or Google, all I get is interstate. That's a long 2500 mls.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,524
Likes: 57,080
From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
I am in the process of planning our return route. After touring the Grand Canyon, Utah and New Mexico, we plan on heading East on Route 66 probably as far as Joplin, MO. Our next item on the agenda is to pick up the Cherahola hwy in TN. I have done a lot of searching on this and other forums and can't seem to find a good route across either Missouri or Arkansas and then across TN. Would prefer 2 lane routes if possible but if there are no good routes perhaps it would be best to just slab it across and save more time for the BRP, Skyline etc.
I know there are lots of eperienced tourers on this site and would appreciate any pointers. Thanks!
I know there are lots of eperienced tourers on this site and would appreciate any pointers. Thanks!
http://shop.americaridesmaps.com/12-...ides-NC007.htm
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 54
Likes: 8
From: N.W. Illinois
Northern Arkansas/ Southern Missouri offer some real good riding. A previous post in this thread mentioned Eureka Springs, Ark. We vacationed there a few years ago. Stayed at Rider's Rest Motel. Bikers only.....If you aren't on 2 wheels, you can't stay. Very nice place, with friendly folks running it and staying there. As far as Missouri goes, Google Elephant Rock State Park, and Johnson Shut-Ins State Park. Really cool places to visit, and great roads to get there. From there, you can head to either St. Louis, or to Cape Girardeau, Mo. Great roads, and scenery either way. Hope some of this info helped.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,973
Likes: 9
From: Colorado Springs CO
Use the show options link under the last address, click avoid highways, and google will route you off highways. Also I look for small towns along the route and keep adding them to my destination to get a custom route.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,764
Likes: 50
From: Gilbert, AZ
For example, I was in Antlers OK last October and was coming back to Phoenix. I took seconday roads almost all the way to OKC, then bit the bullet and took I-40 to Amarillo, where I spent the night. The next day I took US-60 across NM to Socorro, where I spent the night. The final leg of my trip was US-60 back to the Phoenix area. I could have stayed on I-40 to Flagstaff, then taken I-17 S to Phoenix, but the route I took was much more scenic and relaxed.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 269
Likes: 0
From: Springfield, MO
This is easy. From Joplin take 71 down to Rogers, Pig Trail Harley there is a big dealership. Get on 62, it will take you through Eureka Springs which is great place, keep right on across, 62 will turn into 63 eventually and take you right into Memphis. Takes you through Mountain View as well. Some good riding and you will riding past some of the best riding anywhere, if you want a little detour just look into motorcycle roads in Northern Arkansas, lots and lots to chose from while still taking you across Northern Arkansas. Think about staying in Eureka Springs, very biker friendly place, always a lot of bikes and plenty of good places to eat and drink.