Next summer I am going to ride from Phoenix to Maggie Valley, NC. I am not familiar with a lot of areas along the route and would appreciate suggestions on where to stay/where to avoid. I plan to take a more southern route there (I-10/I-20) and a more northern route back (I-40), to ride through the greatest number of states.

Day 1: Phoenix AZ to Van Horn, TX
Day 2: Van Horn TX to Dallas area
Day 3: Dallas area to Jackson MS
Day 4: Jackson MS to Maggie Valley

Return trip-
Day 1: Maggie Valley to Memphis, TN
Day 2: Memphis TN to Oklahoma City
Day 3: Oklahoma City to Albuquerque
Day 4: Albuquerque to Phoenix

My biggest concerns are the Dallas, Jackson, Memphis, and Oklahoma City areas. I haven't been to Memphis in 30 years and have never been to Dallas, Jackson or OKC. Obviously, I have no need to go into the heart of these cities, so someplace on the outskirts or general area where a single rider and his bike would be somewhat safe is what I'm looking for. Thanks!

 

Just got back from there last week.Left Wyoming to the Smoky mts. then to Oregon then back home.Coming from a small town hick from Wyoming,by far the best investment for me was a good GPS(550 Zumo) that's paired up to a bluetooth headset or through your bikes comm.I'ts gotten me through LA,Seattle ,Bay area,Twin cities,Chicago,Portland ,Milwaukee without a wrong turn and little anxiety.I'd probably had an anurism if the GPS quit on me in LA or Chicago. Having the voice annunciate a mile ahead of a turn or exit,no looking at a screen is the only way to go.Also plan your route through Google maps,you can find the belt loops or 2 lanes around the big cities, also the toll roads.Lot's of scenic 2 lanes through the Ozarks etc.The Harley atlas they send out every year to Hog members marks all the must ride back roads.I'ts a good place to start tour planning.I like to stay in RV parks KOA's,etc.with showers and laundry fac. as a rule a motel once and in awhile.I like the small mom and pop motels you find in smaller towns.Not the fanciest but you can get into one for somwhere around 40 bucks.You can pick up camp ground hand books from AAA that tell you what places have showers,prices etc.I spent 4 days riding through the Smokies and could have spent a week had time permitted.Be sure to check out the Wheels Through Time Museum there in Maggi Valley when you're there.

 

Thanks, I do have a GPS - I am looking for local info on what areas to avoid in the cities listed.

 

Memphis is not like it was when I was stationed at the Naval training center back in 1983. It is a city that has lots of crime. My advice would be to stay downtown at the mariott. Its safe and secure. Plus for a buck each way, you can ride the trolley to Beale st. which is about 4 to 5 blocks away and eat at B.B.Kings' place and listen to some blues.
I would not suggest that you stay accross the river in west memphis, arkansas. That is another bad place.

 

Don't go thru Memphis. It sucks, trust me, I'm over there all the time. At Jackson, Tn, take U.S. 412. Run it all the way to I-540 in W. AR, then drop back down to I-40. Even better, take U.S. 412 to Harrison, AR and drop back to I-40 on S.H. 7. Another option; take U.S. 412 to Huntsville, AR and take S.H. 23 down to I-40, or 23 down to 16 then over to I-540. Take a look at your map for this area of AR and just pick a road. We have numerous great rides in the Ozark Mtn. area. It would be a shame for you to ride thru AR all the way on I-40. Interstates suck anyway! Ride the two lanes!!!!! Also, after you drop down to I40 on any of these routes, go down to Mena, AR and ride west on the Talamena Trail into OK (google it). Then you can start your boring flat land ride back to Phoenix!

 

As has been said Stay Out of Mempiss...

 

There are some newer hotels in Jackson MS, actually Pearl MS, near the Bass Pro Shop. This is a newer developed area and is on the interstate where you will be coming in at. Very safe area with eating places, ball park, shopping, theater etc. Very easy area to find on the map, just look for the Bass Pro Shop and surrounding area. Pearl is a suburb of Jackson. Just take Pearl exit off of I-20. Hope this helps.

 

Heading east on I-20 to the DFW area you are on the south side of both cities, not the best of areas. I-20 does not go directly through the heart of either downtown area and you won't hit any really bad traffic unless you are there at rush hour or there is a major accident.

I would stop either in Weatherford to the west of DFW or go through the DFW area and stop in Terrell or Canton. If you like flea markets Canton has a huge one on the first weekend of every month. Been there a couple times and couldn't get through it in a day.

I-20 starting around Terrell to just outside Shreveport is designated a scenic highway on the HD maps website. Its not a bad ride.

 

Now we're talkin'. This is the kind of info I was looking for.

Coincidentally, I was stationed at NAS Memphis in the late 70's, and the day I shipped out to El Toro was the last time I was in Memphis. I had heard that is has become really crime-ridden. I'd like to see it again, but don't want to stay there.

How about the Plano, TX area near the Big D? Or would that be out of my way?

 

Plano is about an hour north of downtown Dallas. To get there you can take I20 then I675 headed north to I75 and get off anywhere in Plano. Honestly there is not a lot to see there. Its the standard "lots of restaurants, shops and homes and a few businesses" area that all of the cities outside of Dallas city limits proper are. I ride through there a few times a week and while there are a few areas with huge homes (and usually gated) and a mall or two or three there really isn't much to see. Did you have something specific in mind?