Routing issues in Memphis

[cbari]

I will be traveling from Little Rock, AR to Orlando, FL. All the routing apps I checked take me to I55 to connect with I240 with the exception of my Garmin RV780, which keeps me off I55. Anyone aware of any issues on that stretch? I have my height programmed at 13’8” on the Garmin to give me a little margin on low clearance.
Thanks for any suggestions!

[BandJCarm]

Go I-55, cross the bridge, get on 55 south to 240 to US 78 exit......take it to Birmingham. Get on I-20. Go to Atlanta. Scream for an hour. Should be able to figure it out from there.

[cbari]

Thanks, that’s pretty well the route everything recommend except for my Garmin RV760; which keeps me off I55. I’m trying to find out if there any low clearances or restrictions on that stretche of I55.

[ependydad]

I think we just drove pieces of I55 from Huntsville to West Memphis and then to Branson.

There were signs about no oversized loads but at 13’ 6”, we didn’t encounter any height issues.

I’m not positive on the route as my wife drove us to West Memphis while I worked and then did all of the navigating to Branson.

[CedarCreekWoody]

A lot of big trucks run that route. It crosses the river on the old bridge, but it works. A couple of turns can surprise you, particularly if south bound, but your GPS should alert you.

[BandJCarm]

Originally Posted by cbari

Thanks, that’s pretty well the route everything recommend except for my Garmin RV760; which keeps me off I55. I’m trying to find out if there any low clearances or restrictions on that stretche of I55.

Nope. All clear.

[cbari]

Thanks so much for all your responses! That will save me some time going around Memphis. I’ve found the Garmin RV780 useful on a lot of routes, but sometimes it routes me around areas when it shouldn’t

[BandJCarm]

Well, Memphis is impossible, to begin with. No rhyme or reason to it. If I go due east on I-40..........just did that Wednesday......you have to cross on the 40 bridge, get on 240, get off of 240, get back on 40.......you think you are changing freeways about 5 times.

I-55 is worse. You get on 55 in Arkansas, THEN cross the 55 bridge, then immediately turn a hairpin to get on 55. Then you get off of it and onto 240 going the other way.....and THEN exit on US 78 (I-22 eventually).

I admit, I get lost as a goose, after all these years. It's a mess.

But I've gone both ways in my fifth wheel, and I don't remember any restrictions or anything. Big trucks go both ways all the time.

[CedarCreekWoody]

I, too, found little difference either way. I suppose the time of day could matter, not sure.

[W5CI]

Everyone is correct, take I-55 across the old bridge then take an immediate right after crossing the bridge, continue on 55 to 240 then on to Hwy 78 to Birmingham. There are no Low over passes on I-55 in Memphis, I went thru there often during my trucking career . DO NOT take I-55 to Jackson Miss. continue East on 240

You need to reset your Garmin to 13'6" to eliminate that issue

[Awilson]

Originally Posted by cbari

Thanks so much for all your responses! That will save me some time going around Memphis. I’ve found the Garmin RV780 useful on a lot of routes, but sometimes it routes me around areas when it shouldn’t

I can tell you that RV770 is no different in taking you on scenic drives. On occasion it will take me to deadend and then tell me to go off-road for the next half mile. Also had it take me West of the campground through a residential area and stopping at a parking lot about 300 feet from the campground office but no way to get there. SMH.

Alan

[BooBoo23]

If you want to avoid Atlanta you might take a look at going from Birmingham to Montgomery and from Montgomery take US 231 southeast to Dothan, Al from Dothan take US84 to Bainbridge, GA and from Bainbridge take US27 to Tallahassee then get on I10 over to I75 and south to the FL turnpike (toll) to Orlando. All good road without the I75 traffic headache in GA and Atlanta.

[BuzzWolfAR]

Originally Posted by BooBoo23

If you want to avoid Atlanta you might take a look at going from Birmingham to Montgomery and from Montgomery take US 231 southeast to Dothan, Al from Dothan take US84 to Bainbridge, GA and from Bainbridge take US27 to Tallahassee then get on I10 over to I75 and south to the FL turnpike (toll) to Orlando. All good road without the I75 traffic headache in GA and Atlanta.

That's the route I use. Birmingham is a mess, but the rest is easy and roads are okay.

Both routes in Memphis have rough areas. Go slow. The I55 bridge will shake you badly.

[RudysWorld]

There are no height problems on I-55 to I-240 in Memphis, I live just outside of Memphis. 78 is nothing but trucks and stop lights until you get out off the Memphis metro area but is difficult to bypass on your route, just be prepared.

If you go through Atlanta be sure and take the I-285 bypass, GPS usually brings you through the middle of Atlanta and you do not want that. I took the I-65 south out of Birmingham the last time I went, but 231 south of Montgomery is 4 lane divided and drags you through some towns, pick your poison.

[jtownstumpjumper]

Our RV dealer is just south of Memphis, Southhaven RV, Southhaven MS, on I55 South....We've crossed those Memphis bridges a number of times pulling our 43 foot 5er....If you go I55 there is a 13' 6" overpass though I've never had an issue with it.....If you want to travel I55 toward Jackson MS, you can stay on I40(don't take I55 at the split in West Memphis), cross the I40 bridge(the newer of the bridges and much wider room in the lanes), and about 1 mile after crossing the bridge, take the I240 exit to Jackson MS....after about 5-6 miles you will connect back up with I55 South just to the south of that overpass I mentioned......from there you're headed south to Jackson MS.

I've been down 78 on numerous occasions....I agree with what RudysWorld said above about trucks and stop lights and rough road on 78 until you get out of Memphis...I've never tried to pull my RV through that stretch.

[mgas]

Agree with W5CI, post#10. Anything over 13'6" is considered oversize and typically a permit is required. Ependydad stated earlier 55 is marked no oversize loads so your Garmin is routing you elsewhere.

[FarmerJim]

Originally Posted by BooBoo23

If you want to avoid Atlanta you might take a look at going from Birmingham to Montgomery and from Montgomery take US 231 southeast to Dothan, Al from Dothan take US84 to Bainbridge, GA and from Bainbridge take US27 to Tallahassee then get on I10 over to I75 and south to the FL turnpike (toll) to Orlando. All good road without the I75 traffic headache in GA and Atlanta.

We love going this way . Very good roads .

[lewisra]

Be sure to spend a night in West Memphis at Tom Sawyer Campground just over the levee right on the Mississippi.

[rarobo]

Originally Posted by lewisra

Be sure to spend a night in West Memphis at Tom Sawyer Campground just over the levee right on the Mississippi.

If you go out of Memphis 78 be aware there are red light cameras found out the hard way nice little letter in the mail for 50 bucks

[cbari]

Thanks everyone for the advice! Made the trip successfully. I40 to I55 to I240 to US78 to Birmingham. I65 to Montgomery, US231 to Dothan, AL to I10 to I75 to Florida turnpike. Good trip, with the expected rough roads here and there!