Wife and I are going to Branson Dec 1-6. We plan to fly into Fayette, AR rather than Springfield, MO because the flight schedules work better. That leaves us with an hour and 45 minute drive up hwys 412 and 14. Anybody have any experience with this route with regards to potential snow or ice difficulties? I'll be driving it in the early evening on the way up to Branson and the early morning on the return.
Thanks for any advice you might have.
Watch out for Hillbillys and Rednecks. Thay gotts 'em! Thay even gotts 'em in the shows! It attracts visitors, they tell me! Silver dollar city is fun, but it's been a while since I have been there. And, it has gotten more 'spensive. Dem rednecks want flat screen TV's an Some fancy Silverados!
Ice is a very definite possibility that time of year in that region. Snow is a fair possibility also. On a good day, that will be a beautiful drive. Watch out for the Clampett relatives as you pass through Bugtussle. Hooterville must be around there somewhere, too.
BTW, I'm sure you meant Fayetteville, AR.
Book yourselves an overnight room at the Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs on your way through, it's a peaceful place. Hopefully there might still be some color on the trees then too. It's beautiful country but it is by no means "flat land" driving...stay in your lane on the curves!
Paden
Unfortunately, this won't be a sight seeing trip plus we will be driving after dark. Looks like the proposed route from Google Earth has me going through Huntsville which is 20-30 miles South of Eureka Springs. Being from coastal Oregon, I'm familiar with narrow winding roads.
My parents used to live in Reeds Spring, just north of Branson and there used to be (may still be) a direct Delta flight from SLC to the Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport. So I have made that trip many, many times.
Narrow windy roads. Lots of places to make a wrong turn. Take your time, leave plenty of time in advance (it takes 2 hours 30 minutes in my book on a good day in daylight.) If there is an ice storm, then it will be ugly. Sometimes it is so foggy you can't see the edge of the road (if this is the case I would take the Northern route through Washburn - Cassville.
That said, there are a pile of ways to go that are within minutes of each other.
If you go through Rogers - Gateway I think it is fastest.
Bella Vista - Washburn: more interesting
You can go North to Anderson then cut back east through Cassvile (+15 minutes)
You can go South through Eureka Springs (very nice trip) with Berryville in the mix
You can go South through Kimberling, over to Golden and then through Gateway or Eureka Springs.
If I remember correctly, all of these routes are within 10 minutes of being the same travel time. If you use your phone to navigate it will be Rogers - Gateway because it is 30-seconds faster. I don't think there is ever much traffic on any of the routes.
I always buy the CDW insurance when I rent in Arkansas or Missouri. (I wanted to add especially if my wife will be driving, but don't dare.)
I really kind of like Silver Dollar City. Not as much for the rides, but more for the Christmas decorations and interesting shops and people. My wife LOVES the Elvis impersonator show downtown. I think it may be called Legends.
Branson is not Vegas, but...we can go to shows and I might be the youngest and thinnest person in the theater. That can't happen many places.
One last suggestion: "DO NOT, I REPEAT, DO NOT attend or listen to ANY timeshare presentations while in Branson." If you find yourself talking to someone at the supermarket who is offering show tickets in exchange for listening to a timeshare presentation politely tell them no thank you and run for your life. Dave Ramsey is spot on when he tells you to not mess with that stuff. (My Mom was a sales person for Branson Getaways and I can't tell you how important this advice is.)
First survey job was in Huntsville. I lived in Fayetteville...nice commute everyday. .Worked NFS contracts and other large area tracts. It was a one flashing light town back then without a fast food place. I'm sure that has all changed.
Did some town work in Eureka Springs.
Unique Ozark town built by Irish brick Mason's and labor. Big Artsy scene.
But one of the most interesting places in the Ozarks.
Have driven all roads around that area.
You can be caught in an ice storm somewhere.
Did something real stupid once, decided to leave for someplace at 4 in the morning and took a backroad called the "pig trail"toward Little Rock and got caught in a bad fog in the upper elevations.
Had to drive by opening the drivers side door and watch the feint cl stripe. Crawled along for hours.
I had ridden the Pig Trail many a time but after that not much at night.
Don't know much about Branson.
Nephew was born in the tiny hospital in Huntsville in July 1974. I was smart and left town the day before. Well, only half smart. First night back in Manhattan we were under a tornado watch that was very, very convincing. I spent most of the evening at a special class held in the basement of the K-State library assuming seven floors of books would be the death of me.
Thanks everybody for your responses. Mark your advice is very helpful.
