How is US 412 across AR and OK?

[Midrsv]

We're headed west in a couple of weeks. After stopping in Sikeston, MO we're headed to Abuquerque. Rather than run the interstate we were thinking of following US 412 across Arkansas and Oklahoma and then drop down to Amarillo on US 60. From there we will take I-40 on into NM. My question is 412 a decent road? Anything to see along the way?

 

Dennis

[Dooder1]

I just drove 412 thru Ark afew weeks ago from Mountain Home Ark over to 44 in Ok on my way to Palm Springs. The road is a good road.

 

John

[dmoff1698]

MIDRSV,

If you are wanting to avoid Interstates 412 is not your road through Oklahoma.

 

412 is 4 lane interstate from the OK state line all the way to I 35, which is half way across the state. Not only that, but more than half of 412 is Toll road. If you're in a hurry and willing to pay the Tolls, it's your best route, but if you are looking around while you travel, you will be badly disappointed.

 

If you have some time, get on hiway 60 in Missouri and come into the northeast corner of Ok where you will get on 10 south to Tahlequah. From there head west on 62/51. stay on 51 to 16 west to Bristow where you can catch Historic 66 on in to OKC. It's not a fast route, but you will see some real nice roads, several lakes, and pass through Tahlequah (capital of the Cherokee Nation). Lots of history there if you're into that stuff. Most of all you will see some of the best riding Oklahoma has to offer.

 

From OKC west you might as well jump on I 40 to Amarillo (5 hours). There's not much to see in that part of the state unless you go further south.

[Midrsv]

Thanks, just the kind of info I was looking for.

 

Dennis

[ronnie86]

412 in Arkansas is a real fun ride and into Tulsa is good road, can`t tell you about anything further than that. Enjoy your trip............

[Jethroish]

MIDRSV,

If you are wanting to avoid Interstates 412 is not your road through Oklahoma.

 

412 is 4 lane interstate from the OK state line all the way to I 35, which is half way across the state. Not only that, but more than half of 412 is Toll road. If you're in a hurry and willing to pay the Tolls, it's your best route, but if you are looking around while you travel, you will be badly disappointed.

 

If you have some time, get on hiway 60 in Missouri and come into the northeast corner of Ok where you will get on 10 south to Tahlequah. From there head west on 62/51. stay on 51 to 16 west to Bristow where you can catch Historic 66 on in to OKC. It's not a fast route, but you will see some real nice roads, several lakes, and pass through Tahlequah (capital of the Cherokee Nation). Lots of history there if you're into that stuff. Most of all you will see some of the best riding Oklahoma has to offer.

 

From OKC west you might as well jump on I 40 to Amarillo (5 hours). There's not much to see in that part of the state unless you go further south.

 

Another good route is from the above posted is to take a right on 64 toward Tulsa from 16. In Bixby, take 67 (151st street) to Alt 75 up into Sapulpa. West on 66 to 33 and run 33 across as far as you like. But just like rt66, not a lot to see past Guthrie but no traffic headaches.

I lived In Glenpool (south Tulsa) for 12 years and in-laws were in El Reno (20 west of OKC). Got to know a lot of roads. I-44 got to be pretty mundane and expensive.

[cb1313]

I live in Mountain home Ar and 412/62 travels through town. I road is very good BUT all traffic going east/west travels the road. If you google the road you will that there are not very many roads for about 70 miles north and south going east/west. I like to travel highway 160 in Mo. Less traffic but a lot more country.

Every car, truck and delivery van travels this road. around here the road is mostly 2 lane, double yellow with very few passing lanes. It is a great ride but you can not be in a hurry. as traffic can slow to the 30 mph for miles due the other traffic.

Also... get gas before you need it... a lot of small town gas stations have closed.

If you need something along the way please let me know... I can help with housing and repairs.

If you are interested in cycle stores... cycle gadets is just west of Eureka Springs Ar. If you fish Norfork Lake was named on of the best fishing lakes by Field and Stream a few years ago. Local marinas rent pontoon boats by the day or I can take you out with my boat.

 

travel safe Cb

[Midrsv]

Thanks CB. I really want to ride through that area. While we're not in a huge hurry we do need to make about 400 miles each day. Will that be a problem through that area?

 

Dennis

[cb1313]

Hi Dennis, it is really hard to estamate travel times here. I have over 20,000 in 6 years of traveling these roads. Spend some time using the google maps going to different towns using different roads.

If it rained hard a lot of southern MO... Norhtern Ar back road creeks flood and they close the roads. The problem is you don't know about the creek untill you get close to the creek and you may need to backtack 19 ? miles to get where you are going.

Note : every area seems to have a bad driving hadit... here it is people will see you coming down the road and they will still pull out in front of you (slowly). I have 5 lights in the front of my bike so it's not like they can not see me. I also drive a Chevy 1 ton dullie and they will still pull out in front of me, so it's not a bike problem.

If you have driving lights leave them on all the time. I am sure drivers do not like it but when I am on back roads I have my high beam on untill I get behind someone.

Traveling 400 miles my be hard, do the google thing and then add a little more time.

There have been rides where I traveled for 2-3 hours on backroads and never saw another car.

Note : PLEASE.... take your time.... if someone starts to get to close from behind PLEASE pull over and let them go. They are relentless in expecting you to speed up for them. On the other hand you will find a lot of elderly who are scared to death and travel these roads at 35 mph.

If a road sign says 90 degr. turn... it WILL be 90 deg. turn.

I see from you map you have traveled some, I have travel to 45 states ( not all on motorcycle) and love the back roads.

ONE more thing... most back roads are in really good condition, very few potholess.

 

Good luck.....questions ?

 

cb

[Guest tx2sturgis]

Hwy 412 doesn't have anywhere NEAR the truck traffic that I-40 has, and you can make fairly decent time on most of it...especially the toll section.

 

US 60 is also decent road, 2 lane most of the way.

 

Skipping ahead, there are a couple good places to get a meal in Amarillo, if you have the time...and I-40 from Amarillo to Albuquerque is filled with truck traffic.

 

 

Whatcha gonna do in Albuquerque? If you dont have specific plans, thats a fun town to spend some time in. Old Town, the Tram, and Sandia Crest have some pluses, as well as several casinos and historical side-trips.

 

Have fun!

 

[Midrsv]

Thanks Brian,

 

You make some good points. I'm all for avoiding the truck traffic. Our main reason for stopping in Abuquerque is that it has the closest decent size airport. A couple of the wives are flying in there. We'll only be there one afternoon and evening and I do plan to visit the "old town". From there we're going to spend the next day in Santa Fe and surrounding area. We move from town to town daily and will stop in Durango, Montrose, Carbondale, Frisco, Estes Park, Lusk WY and Hill City SD. Drop my wife at the Rapid City airport and then express home.

 

Dennis

[dmoff1698]

DO NOT go through Montrose without heading an hour north and seeing the Colorado National Monument!!!

 

I'm not a religous type fella, but that place could change my mind.

[phill12]

When you get to tulsa take ok 66 to sapulpa (stop at k&n motorcycles owned by norm mcdonald inventor of the k&n filter ) oldest yamaha dealer in the us. Follow 66 to ok 33. Take 33 a cross the state. Lot of different historic towns a long the way. When you hit the texas border you should run into us 60.

[Midrsv]

DO NOT go through Montrose without heading an hour north and seeing the Colorado National Monument!!!

 

I'm not a religous type fella, but that place could change my mind.

 

We were through that area 2 years ago when we rode through the South Utah parks. From Montrose we plan to take 50 to 92 to 133 to Carbondale.

 

Dennis

[Midrsv]

When you get to tulsa take ok 66 to sapulpa (stop at k&n motorcycles owned by norm mcdonald inventor of the k&n filter ) oldest yamaha dealer in the us. Follow 66 to ok 33. Take 33 a cross the state. Lot of different historic towns a long the way. When you hit the texas border you should run into us 60.

 

Thanks, that looks like a good alternative.

 

Dennis