I-40 road trip

[BradS]

I'll be driving out to Dallas / Ft Worth next week. I've traveled I-40 between California and Oklahoma/Texas many times but its been at least twenty years since the last time I did it. This time is going to be a very quick blast East...I'm flying back Sunday.


So, anyway, what are the stop worthy sights along I-40?

[Heroique]

If you have the extra time and can tolerate the inconvenience, I'd travel along roads other than the Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways!

[BradS]

I wish I did have the time...but, this will be a quick two day adventure with a couple more days in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area before flying back home.

[Jmarmck]

They planned that interstate highway very strategically. It does not pass close to anything interesting. But I am like you. I have not been on points west of Fort Smith since 1982. The most stressfull trip I ever took was the milk run on a Greyhound between Bakersfield and Ft. Smith.

[Preston]

Palo Duro Canyon (http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks/palo-duro-canyon)is near Amarillo. It's a Texas State Park. I went there many, many years ago when I was stationed at Amarillo AFB. It's a nice place, but likely would be pretty warm this time of year.

--P

[Jim Noel]

If you want to see good photography sites, drop south to ole Hwy 66 once in California. It won;t slow you up more than 5 mph, and there is a lot to photograph along the way. It is one of my favorite areas.

[ImSoNegative]

how far east are you going? there are lots of nice places right off I40 near Asheville nc, in just a few minutes off 40 you could be on the blue ridge parkway, or around Knoxville you could go through the smokeys that is not far from 40 either. in just a few hours you could get some nice shots.

[BradS]

Palo Duro Canyon (http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks/palo-duro-canyon)is near Amarillo. It's a Texas State Park. I went there many, many years ago when I was stationed at Amarillo AFB. It's a nice place, but likely would be pretty warm this time of year.

--P

Thanks Preston.

[BradS]

If you want to see good photography sites, drop south to ole Hwy 66 once in California. It won;t slow you up more than 5 mph, and there is a lot to photograph along the way. It is one of my favorite areas.


how far east are you going? there are lots of nice places right off I40 near Asheville nc, in just a few minutes off 40 you could be on the blue ridge parkway, or around Knoxville you could go through the smokeys that is not far from 40 either. in just a few hours you could get some nice shots.

Guys, thanks but....I'm travelling to Texas from California.

[Jmarmck]

Petrified Forest is east of Holbrook, AZ and south of I-40. There are probably some spots close to the interstate. The Painted Desert is to the north of the interstate at the same spot but it is much more spread out.

There is an off interstate run between the Colorado River and Kingman. The interstate takes a dip south then back north to Kingman. There is a road from Goose Lake to Kingman that looks interesting....I have never been on it.
https://www.google.com/maps/@34.9563931,-114.3708207,59511m/data=!3m1!1e3

If you are coming from central or north CA go over 120 or 108 to US 395 and head south. It intersects 58 that runs to Barstow where I-40 begins. US 395 runs the length of Owens Valley. There is much to scenery to photograph.

[marfa boomboom tx]

I 40 ... Cadillac Ranch, Amarillo, almost a drive thru...
I40 is rich in image possibles , to me.

[BradS]

Petrified Forest is east of Holbrook, AZ and south of I-40.

ah...yes, I remember stopping there as a kid...many years ago.


If you are coming from central or north CA go over 120 or 108 to US 395 and head south. It intersects 58 that runs to Barstow where I-40 begins. US 395 runs the length of Owens Valley. There is much to scenery to photograph.


I live part time just up the hill a bit from Sonora and so, am quite familiar with this route...it is an excellent suggestion. Here's a photo of my son at the Sonora pass on New Year's day a couple of years ago. We went over to bridgepot for a sandwich....

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8301/7858330056_92b554bc42_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/cYpZKf)Warm Winter (https://flic.kr/p/cYpZKf) by ---BradS--- (https://www.flickr.com/people//), on Flickr

[BradS]

I 40 ... Cadillac Ranch, Amarillo, almost a drive thru...
I40 is rich in image possibles , to me.

Oh, yeah! I rmember this one too...thanks.

[marfa boomboom tx]

I 40 ... Cadillac Ranch, Amarillo, almost a drive thru...
I40 is rich in image possibles , to me.

:"When I see something that moves me or interests me, I take a picture. I don't care what it's a picture of."-- phil perkis

[Jmarmck]

I have always wanted to spend some time and capture some railroading shots. I-40 has quite a few miles near rail.

[Terry Christian]

As you cross the Mississippi River here in Memphis, you go from the flat floodplain of the east Arkansas delta to the bluffs of west Tennessee (or vice versa) in one swoop, and dominating the Memphis skyline is the awesome Pyramid.

[Jmarmck]

Many years ago when Arkansas had a basketball team we called that the "Pig"amid. lol

[MikeH]

There is an off interstate run between the Colorado River and Kingman. The interstate takes a dip south then back north to Kingman. There is a road from Goose Lake to Kingman that looks interesting....I have never been on it.
I think this is the original alignment of Route 66 through Oatman. I've never been there, but Oatman should have old buildings. I've heard that the road, either between Oatman and Kingman, or Oatman and Topock, is very windey.

[BradS]

I think this is the original alignment of Route 66 through Oatman. I've never been there, but Oatman should have old buildings. I've heard that the road, either between Oatman and Kingman, or Oatman and Topock, is very windey.



I have been to Oatman - on business of all things. Not my kinda place. :)

[John Jarosz]

Big construction between Dallas and Fort Worth. They are re-inventing the interstate there.

[Jmarmck]

I just did the virtual drive from Oatman to Topack on Google Streets. At sunset or sunrise there might be some excellent shots but I am not sure I would take the time and detour.