I-40, Nevada to Nashville/Flip

[LesStallings]

I'm about a month away from my first round trip, with the first leg being westward ho. I'll be empty going west and loaded coming back eastward.



Any suggestions, warnings, tips, etc? Long grades? I thought I'd try it first and then decide on an exhaust brake. I am putting in the EGT before I leave, even though I'm bone stock 305/555.



I'll be making 3-4 round trips before Summer. Any helpful info will be VERY welcome and put to good use.

 

[mberry]

I would definitely recommend the exhaust brake. Even if you never need to use it. Never know when you're going to have to make a detour somewhere along the way.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Consider the 4" remote brake because if you go to a larger turbo, an elbow brake gets thrown away--won't fit. Whether you "need" one depends on the weight, among other things. Remember in the winter, you can get serious snow storms from Williams, AZ on east to Grants regularly, and sometimes around Amarillo and OK city too. Just because you are in the "southern" part of the US, doesn't mean snow-free. Las Saturday I hit ice and snow for over 120 miles in AZ.

 

[NIsaacs]

Les, like Joe said, snow storms can be a factor, also I-40 is a major big truck route, lots'a traffic. Can't help you east of OK City, but from there west to "Vegas" it's good sailing. There are no big, long 6-percent grades. The worst part of the whole trip, will be the crossing of Hoover Dam. If you are loaded heavy, you will notice it's kinda a tough pull all the way across AZ & NM, with low fuel mileage. Like I said, there are not many steep hills, but you can go on a gradual uphill pull for a hundred miles. It is up & down like this all the way across the two states. Wind can be a factor also, however all in all, it is a good route.



"NICK"

 

[Buffalo]

Les Stallings, I'm not sure if You are hauling commercially, or not. If You are, You may want to check to see if You can cross over the Hoover Dam. You can take RV's over but, I think there is a restriction on commercial vehicles. Check first. Also, You will be stopped and inspected before You are allowed to cross the Dam. I've only been thru to Oklahoma City and the only major hill, that I remember, is on the east side of Albuquerque. It's fairly long but, everybody seems to make it. Just be careful the first time, especially going downhill. I, also, agree with the rest of the advice given here. Hope this helps. Joe F. (Buffalo)

 

[LesStallings]

Thanks Nick and all...



I was most worried about the drive between OK and Vegas. The information on the grades is very helpful, and yes, I've been across the Hoover Dam many times, but not pulling a load. I'm sure it will put a new prespective on the crossing. They can't build the bypass too soon, I'm sure!



I am thinking about the weather and as someone suggested on an other forum, I'll plan a more Southern, Southern Route, just in case I need a Plan B.



Fuel mileage... ?? Back to the drawing board, or Street Atlas 2005 in my case, and I'll plug in a lower average fuel mileage figure and see how many new fuel stops I can expect. I might as well be realistic.



Any more good news???



Thanks, really thanks. All this will help tremendously.

 

[Buffalo]

Just had another thought (unusual, for me!). You may want to consider an auxillary, in bed, fuel tank. Diesel in Oklahoma City is a lot cheaper, there. The other day I checked Flying J's website and I think it was $1. 72/9. It would be great to fill up there as much as possible. Hope this helps. Joe F. (Buffalo)

 

[ndurbin]

Diesels usually always cheaper in OK. The Flying J theres a bit of a pain to get to (exit ramp isn't the best) but theres ALOT of truck traffic thru there.



Nathan

 

[LesStallings]

I've been looking at a fuel and tool combo (RDS Eagle Classic Auxiliary Combo) but can't quite make the cost justification work for 3-4 cross country trips. If I was making a living at this or doing frequent RV stuff, the auxiliary tank would be a no-brainer. I like the RDS unit as it would fit below the rails and I could use a bed cover sometime in the future if the mood hits me.



As long as I keep my fuel tank fill and my bladder fill in sync, I should be OK!

 

[DHRA]

Les,

Just did the trip for SEMA pulling 8000+ lbs. There are about 8 construction zones but we never slowed down. Oklahoma is the worst as far as road conditions. Exhaust brake would have been nice in Southern Nevada, but we made it without one. You can not take 93 if you have a trailer over 26 feet long enclosed or flat. We had to go over to 95 and up. There is an 800 number that we called that told us, or else they would have turned us around at the Dam. A little snow, but a very pleasant drive. We used Love's fuel stops as much as we could for the penny or two cheaper fuel. With that big of a load and my mods I pulled an average of 11 mpg. Of course we had a head wind going out and coming back! Good luck.

 

[GerryDrake]

Suggested books

Here ... ...



http://www.campingworld.com/browse/products/index.cfm?deptID=5&subOf=243,28&prodID=1817



... ..... are a couple of books I would suggest. They are invaluable when traveling cross country. They show all the grades, in length and percentage of grade. We use them extensively when traveling... If you buy both it is about $25, which is darn cheap peace of mind for picking a route and knowing what's ahead.

 

[Jumbo Jet]

Buy your fuel in OK before you get to Arkansas. It's 380 miles across Arkansas, so you will probably be buying fuel in Arkansas anyhow if you only have the stock tank. Cheapest fuel on I-40 in Arkansas over the Thansgiving holiday was at Ozark and Morrilton - $1. 96.



West Memphis, AR has some rather large truck stops at intersection of I-40 & I-55 split on the east side.



No really hard pulls across Arkansas. Most of the construction is complete between Ft. Smith and Conway. You will run into construction east of Conway and then through Little Rock. Watch the signs to get in the correct lanes when traveling through Little Rock. You will shift from the left lane to the far right lanes after the I-30/I-40 intersection. Not much advanced warning and you end up in Texas!



You may encounter combines or tractors on I-40 before you get to the Mississippi River bridge. Don't ask me why!

 

[mberry]

As long as I keep my fuel tank fill and my bladder fill in sync, I should be OK!

Consider checking some small airport services. They make pilot relief bags that may help that. They are specifically for small aircraft like Cesna's and others like that. I have been thinking of getting some for winter travel around here. Sometimes takes us 6-8 hours to get home depending on the weather where normally it takes about 1. 5 hours. Those bags could come in real handy.

 

[ProspectorTim]

You might need a new kidney after you make a few passes over the stretch of bumps Oo. between OKC and Muskogee.

Top off the fuel before you hit Arkansas, and back off on the speed - Especially the first 30 miles in AR.



Don't worry about those WHITE KNUCKLES; the color will come back after you get thru the construction & squeeze lanes in Little Rock.

AR rest areas have a second loop, past the regular parking; it circles around a picnic area, and can come in real handy late at night when you pull in and it looks like the parking lot is FULL. A lot of people don't even realize it is there.



Top off the fuel again in West Memphis, AR.

As you approach the I40/I55 split, keep in the left 2 lanes. The road is rough there and a lot of folks don't know where they are going, so take it easy on the curves. Watch out for another speed trap ON the Mississippi River bridge.



Memphis is another challenge ...

After coming across the bridge with all those lanes, it narrows down. You lose a couple of lanes on the right, then the far left lane ends too. That leaves you with 2 eastbound lanes: the right one MUST go south on the 240 loop (you don't want to go that way!), and the left one MUST go north 240/I40 east. You will immediatly hit construction with a 25mph ramp, and that may seem too fast. You have your own lane coming onto 240; stay in it or get run over!



After you come out of the construction zone the road gets wider, and wider, as there are a couple of extra lanes on the left for the left-exit to Millington. Pick any lane except the last 2 on the left and you are ok. After you pass the Millington exit, you have several miles to make your way over to the FAR LEFT lane for the one-lane left-exit for I40 east. You don't want to miss that turn!



Once you are past that you have smooth sailing on out of town.



It is a long trip. The first time or two you will be wanting to just get there as fast as you can. But you will find the trip is a lot better if you just crank up the radio (You DO have XM, right?), set the cruise control on about 65 except in the mountains, and watch the scenery go by. You won't have to worry much about "slow" traffic or speeding tickets; and with diesel fuel over $2/gallon most of the trip, the lower speeds will save you enough to pay for a good meal.



Let me know when you are headed this way. If I'm free, I could meet you at any truck stop in West Memphis then *show* you the way through Memphis.

Then we can talk about the screwy intersections you will hit on the westbound trip! LOL

 

[LesStallings]

Tim! Holy Cow!!!



What great detail. It will really help and REALLY scare the stuff out of me!! When I was fat, dumb and happy, the trip through Memphis was not an issue. NOW, I'm making notes, printing out directions, updating my Street Atlas directions, etc... .



You the MAN. Thanks.



... but, I'm heading West out of Nashville (empty) FIRST! Surely the westbound trip must be easy... and all us fat, dumb and happy travelers must NEVER have a problem!!! NO ???



Well... maybe some westbound recommendations could help too. I hate to impose, but this is GOOD STUFF...



I owe you one, big time.

 

[ProspectorTim]

The Westbound approach to Memphis (I-40/I-240 junction) is just as stupid.

The right lanes take you on a LEFT curve to 240 south (you don't want to go there!). The far left lane goes straight - the Sam Cooper expressway, which dead-ends in the middle of town. If you accidently go that way, watch for the signs to return to I40. The second lane from the left can go straight or exit right onto I40/240 West, *after* you get past the exit to 240 south. This is where you want to be. This is also a one-lane exit.



When you get to the other side of town, get into the right lane before you get to the I40/240 interchange-under-construction. The road will narrow down to 2 lanes; the right lane MUST go on to I40 West via a 25mph onramp, and once again it is one-lane exit and you don't want to miss it!

Expect traffic to be slow and backed up.



Westbound, I could meet you at the gas station/convenience store at exit 25 if I am free. (I work nights, 8pm-6am Mon-Thurs). I takes me about 45 minutes to get there from my house. Heck, it takes about 45 minutes to get ANYWHERE in the Memphis area from my house! LOL

 

[LesStallings]

Geesh! Maybe I should take the southern route via Birmingham???



Thanks for everything. I've got my mapping software updated now for both directions.



I'm sure that by my third or forth trip, I'll breeze through I-40 like an old pro. The suggestion about chilling and enjoying the view seems like a wise approach. I might add a fourth day and not push it hard at all.



Now I need to find some decent places to stop (hotels/motels) that have easy on/off and good parking. I don't want to test my backing skills unless absolutely necessary. And nope, sleeping in the truck in the winter is not appealing!!

 

[ndurbin]

We stayed at a fairly new Days Inn on the Northside of Little Rock back around the 1st of Nov. It was fairly nice but nothing spectacular, easy on/off access tho. Have to look around to see if I can find an exit number for it. When we left the Nashville area (Franklin to be exact) took about 8-9 hours to get there if I remember right.



Nathan

 

[24vHO2004]

Hey Les,



I was told by a diesel tech in Pampa TX that our trucks like a little higher RPM. He said that the sweet spot was right between 2100 and 2400 RPM. Of course that means that you will be speeding, but you should see some fuel economy advantages. I went from 13. 8 to about 16 MPG (by the computer). That was empty just me and an 18 foot flatbed. I didn't really notice much advantage loaded.

 

[LesStallings]

Many trips

Hey Les,



I was told by a diesel tech in Pampa TX that our trucks like a little higher RPM. He said that the sweet spot was right between 2100 and 2400 RPM. Of course that means that you will be speeding, but you should see some fuel economy advantages. I went from 13. 8 to about 16 MPG (by the computer). That was empty just me and an 18 foot flatbed. I didn't really notice much advantage loaded.

I'll have many opportunities to check fuel mileage at various conditions over the next 6 months. 3-4 cross country ROUND TRIPS equals six to eight 1,900 legs! All mileage will be hand calculated as I don't have electric windows, neverless the overhead computer!



I think I'll have a better respect for you commercial guys that do it all the time and keep the rig out of the ditches!