I-40 in California
I-40 begins (or ends - depending upon if you are east or westbound)
at I-15 just south of central Barstow. While I-15 is packed with Las
Vegas traffic with its uncomfortable percentage of Kamikaze drivers,
I-40 is calm, relaxing and a pleasure to drive.
I-40 in Arizona
You cross the mighty Colorado River to enter Arizona. Except it is
no longer mighty; most of the water has been directed elsewhere.
Until you get to Wilmington, North Carolina, on the Atlantic Coast,
this is as far south as you will ever get on I-40. If you’re here in
August when it is 120°F in the shade, you will be very grateful. It
does get better!
I-40 in New Mexico
In New Mexico you'll cross the Continental Divide - All waters
flowing west of this invisible geographic line flow to the Gulf of
California or Pacific Ocean. All waters flowing east of the Divide
flow towards the Gulf of Mexico or the Atlantic Ocean via the Great
Lakes. At the Divide I-40 is at an elevation of 7,268 feet.
I-40 in Texas
I-40 through across the 'panhandle' of Texas is mostly straight and
level - and mesmerizing at night. Be alert. You’ll notice that,
although the prairie appears flat from the distance, it is heavily
interlaced with arroyos or little canyons - which was quite an
impediment for the early pioneers.
I-40 in Oklahoma
When asked what Oklahoma should be noted for, a prominent Oklahoma
businessman responded:
1. The Oklahoma Land Run of 1889
2. The ‘Dust Bowl’ of the 1930s
3. McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation Project (for a
fascinating account of the history of this mammoth project, see
McClellanKerr.
Of course there was more. He cited the use of Oklahoma as an Indian
tribal ‘dumping ground’ by the Federal Government (the forced
relocation of many tribes to Oklahoma which, then, was supposedly
reserved for Indians because there was ‘nothing of value here’).
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I-40 in Arkansas
Across most of Arkansas, I-40 follows the Arkansas River with the Boston
Mountains visible to the north. Though not ‘high’ mountains
(Magazine Mountain at 2753 feet is the highest mountain in
Arkansas), they are beautiful and interlaced with many scenic
wonders – especially waterfalls. (see
www.Waterfalls-Guide.com).
I-40 in Tennessee
I-40 enters Memphis via the Desoto Memorial Bridge crossing the
Mississippi River. I-40 loops to the north through the northern
neighborhoods and, except for the usual rush-hour traffic, is easy
to follow and uneventful.
Nashville in almost in the center of Tennessee. At exit 206 you
encounter I-440, the southern loop around central Nashville. The
authorities have posted signs recommending 440 for folks continuing
through Nashville to points east. We strongly recommend it, also.
The traffic is heavy but much worse if you would follow I-40’s jig
and jogs through the central city.
At exit 368, just west of Knoxville, I-75 merges with I-40. From
here on and all then way through Knoxville you have lots of traffic!
There are some who recommend taking I-640 around Knoxville; we
don’t. The traffic is usually very heavy either way but we much
prefer staying right on I-40 right through the city.
I-40 in North Carolina
I-40 enters North Carolina via the Pigeon River Gorge. The
right-of-way in the Gorge is flanked by steep cliffs, pn one side
where they blasted away enough rock to create the Interstate, and on
the other side the Pigeon river gorge.
The drive through the western part of North Carolina is usually
very pleasant. From Greensboro to Durham, I-40 and I-85 share the
same pavement and the traffic is very heavy. From Raleigh on
to Wilmington the pace is more leisurely.
Wilmington is the eastern end of I-40. There's a lot to see here
and a few miles further east is the Atlantic Ocean and many very
popular beaches. |
) at or near your
area of interest.