Best Route, OKC To St. Louis?

Anybody have a preferred route out of OKC going to St Louis?

I just came across Interstate 44, which is in horrible condition, not so much in Oklahoma, but 44 in Missouri is bad. Plus, I have a very heavy load and 44 is so hilly it is hard to pull such a heavy load with my under powered Frightliner.

I think next trip I’m going to take 35 north out of OKC and get on 70 at Kansas City. It might add some miles, but I can avoid 44 in Missouri.

Any insight about this routing?

Your going to hit hills either way. If I go that way I just use 44. It is the quickest. Roads in many places are terrible. Just a fact of life.

This.

I do the Elk City OK to Harrisonville MO quite often, and I just run 44. I know it, I'm comfortable with it, and you really aren't on 44 in MO for that long, as you head north right near the border.

Your going to hit hills either way. If I go that way I just use 44. It is the quickest. Roads in many places are terrible. Just a fact of life.

Also, I'm used to crossing the Rockies, so the hills in Oklahoma and Missouri are just "meh" for me.

Also, I'm used to crossing the Rockies, so the hills in Oklahoma and Missouri are just "meh" for me.

Yeah? Get on some of the two lanes in both those states with any load and you may change your tune.

Well, I'm not dumb enough to take the Branson "shortcut" out of Springfield more than once. That day sucked.

Also, I'm used to crossing the Rockies, so the hills in Oklahoma and Missouri are just "meh" for me.

Yeah? Get on some of the two lanes in both those states with any load and you may change your tune.

Kinda with Nae on this one. Missouri pales in comparison to routes like US 50 in CO, monarch pass is a whole different category of hill. Same with Wolf Creek. Bear Lake up SR 89 in UT is pretty gnarly as well. All of which I do on a regular basis. As is some of the backroads in Northern CA going into OR and NV. 441 in NV that comes down into Gerlach is pretty steep and deep up there, no guard rails, no shoulder 8 percent grades in spots. Willamette pass is another one in OR. I spent most of last winter out there.

Id just do 44. Ive taken I think its us 400 or 412 and 83 maybe. Basically US highways instead of interstates, adds miles, lots of little towns, tight turns, tight roads. I took it because I got bored with the interstate and had a stop somewhat out that way. Its beautiful scenery and a very sporting drive but not really helpful. On the plus side, lots of little hole in the wall truck stops to stay at that are always empty.

I generally prefer the US highway system or backroads as most call them as I like the scenery, the nostalgic towns and the feeling of how America used to be, the America that we desperately need to return to. But they can be more hazardous with more stop lights, tighter roads, oncoming traffic and more in town driving in tight technical spaces than interstate driving has.

It’s not so much the hills that bothered me, I expect that in Missouri. 44 In Missouri is in bad shape so there is a huge amount of construction and repair. Especially east of Rolla there is a long stretch and that section has terrible temporary lanes. But I’m glad they are fixing it.

I might just stay away from 44 for the rest of the season and jump on 70 at Kansas City for my next trip.

But then I will miss the fudge factory …….. lol