Ozark, MO to Red River NM best route

[Alan L.]

Taking a trip to see my wife's dad for his 75th birthday next weekend - he lives just outside Ozark, Missouri but we are staying in a motel in Ozark. After a couple of days we plan to leave there and go to Red River, New Mexico, more than 700 miles. Yahoo maps recommends a route off the interstate across northern Oklahoma and the Oklahoma panhandle that goes through quite a few towns. Google maps recommends a southern Kansas route, part of it is on US 166. I am thinking of just coming down I44 from Joplin all the way to OK City and hitting I40 there and to Amarillo followed by our normal route that goes Boys Ranch and Dalhart/Texline in the Texas panhandle, then Clayton and Springer, NM. This route would be about 70 miles further but since we are driving a high mileage vehicle (see 2001 GMC Yukon XL thread) it seems there might be less chance of being stranded in the middle of nowhere plus a better chance of a good cell signal all the way. Not to mention higher speed limit and not near as many stops.

If any of you find playing around with the maps entertaining I'd like to get your opinions on which way you would go.

Any information on the quality of the highways running east and west across northern Oklahoma and southern Kansas would be appreciated.

 

[creekbend]

Have you considered logging onto MapQuest?

 

[creekbend]

Have you considered logging onto MapQuest?

MapQuest Maps - Driving Directions - Map Best wishes.

 

[creekbend]

Mapquest got me so lost in St. Louis going to Cabela's, I had to get directions from someone at Bass Pro; talk about embarrassing, I did buy some rain gear as it was pouring down.

The old saying "you can't get there from here" came to mind, there was a break in the street and it was one way only; what a mess.

Sorry about your misfortune. I suggested MapQuest, because I have used it for years, and the directions provided were always accurate.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

Taking a trip to see my wife's dad for his 75th birthday next weekend - he lives just outside Ozark, Missouri but we are staying in a motel in Ozark. After a couple of days we plan to leave there and go to Red River, New Mexico, more than 700 miles. Yahoo maps recommends a route off the interstate across northern Oklahoma and the Oklahoma panhandle that goes through quite a few towns. Google maps recommends a southern Kansas route, part of it is on US 166. I am thinking of just coming down I44 from Joplin all the way to OK City and hitting I40 there and to Amarillo followed by our normal route that goes Boys Ranch and Dalhart/Texline in the Texas panhandle, then Clayton and Springer, NM. This route would be about 70 miles further but since we are driving a high mileage vehicle (see 2001 GMC Yukon XL thread) it seems there might be less chance of being stranded in the middle of nowhere plus a better chance of a good cell signal all the way. Not to mention higher speed limit and not near as many stops.

If any of you find playing around with the maps entertaining I'd like to get your opinions on which way you would go.

Any information on the quality of the highways running east and west across northern Oklahoma and southern Kansas would be appreciated.

I-40 across Oklahoma is pretty good road, a little rough just West of OKC, and there seems to be a lot of construction, but there always is, it seems. I'ts a long stretch, and if you use this route, I suggest that you watch your gas gauge and whatever you do, fill up in Amarillo. While you're there stop at the Big Texan; order the calf fries...a 1/2 order should do it...the rest, as they say, is history. Albuquerque is a bugger to drive in; lot of maniacs there and the traffic in parts is as bad as it gets...but it does move. Make sure you know your route through Albuquerque and you should be fine. The towns West of OKC are not a problem traffic wise, as you know, I-40 is a limited access highway and so it's mainly just open road, miles of sage brush, wind chargers and a herd or two of antelope.

 

[TripleR]

Sorry about your misfortune. I suggested MapQuest, because I have used it for years, and the directions provided were always accurate.

Yeah, that was an aberration, so I deleted the post shortly after I made it. I was able to find Bass Pro where I got directions to Cabela's because we had printed off Mapquest to them also.:laughing:

Bad day all around as I HATE driving in St. Louis, was driving a big conversion van and it was raining cats and dogs.

 

[creekbend]

Yeah, that was an aberration, so I deleted the post shortly after I made it. I was able to find Bass Pro where I got directions to Cabela's because we had printed off Mapquest to them also.:laughing:

Bad day all around as I HATE driving in St. Louis, was driving a big conversion van and it was raining cats and dogs.

I whole heartily understand. It's been several years since I.ve been to St. Louis, but I hate driving around Atlanta, even when I take the by-passes.

 

[bigtiller]

I looked at Google and all 3 ways, 160, 64 or 44, they are all within 17 minutes of the same drive time of 14 hours. I have driven on state roads in that general area and the thing that comes to mind first is dont pass up a chance to buy gas if you are under a half tank. 44 is a good ride but there is a LOT of truck traffic, but that is the way I would go.

 

[Alan L.]

Thanks, we actually live north of Dallas so our normal route is from up 287 to Amarillo, then 1061 through Boys Ranch and up to Dalhart, then Texline, Clayton NM, and Springer (sometimes Raton). So particularly interested in the Oklahoma east to west northern routes such as from Tulsa across to Enid and Woodward, then Guymon. I always plan to try the Big Texan but so far have not, seems we are never going through there at mealtime or don't want to stop.

I tried the Mapquest site and it gave much the same route. But it seems that 44 down to OKC then 40 west was like 70 miles further. Seems Google maps is always high on the travel time and Yahoo is about right and similar to the GPS. I guess if I want to get there quicker I will use the yahoo map for the same route since it is quicker

I lean to interstate, but if the the highways Tulsa to Enid to Woodward to Guymon are pretty major highways I might try it. Of course regardless of the route it will end up Clayton to Springer which is 88 miles of nothing but antelope.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

There'a a turnpike from Tulsa West to 177; so it should be good. HW 64 West to Enid is a fairly new 4 lane, and it is an excellent road all the way to Meno. I haven't been on the road from Meno to Woodward in a long time, but I would have no qualms about taking it. Lots of oilfield and farm traffic in that area, so keep that in mind. Be careful, and have a good trip.