We will be flying into Little Rock then the next day, driving to Branson, Mo. The map show two ways to get there.
The first is leaving Little Rock on Route 40 to Conway, then 65 through Harrison to Branson. Looks like about 160 miles.
The Second is leaving Little Rock on Route 40 north to just past Russellville, then route 7 to Harrison to meet 65 then on into Branson. This way is a bit more than 160 miles but is designated scenic from Russellville to Harrison. We would like the scenery but is one way better than the other travel-wise? We will have about 4 hours to do the trip.
Any stops along either way that should not be missed?
How about a lunch stop about half way--not fancy but a Arkansas favorite?
Thanks, Margo
Which road from Little Rock to Branson?
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The first option is better, but it's (like your other option) mostly a two-lane highway until you get to Harrison.
Highway 7 from Russellville to Harrison is very winding and hilly. It's not that scenic unless the trees are turning color in the fall. I would take highway 65 from Conway, but I've never been that way.
Ther is not much to see on either route really, just lots of trees, good roads though. Are you sure you want to go to Branson? We drove from Nashville this year to Branson, not impressed at all, we didn't even fancy a show, nothing worth seeing really. The best bit about our visit was the Starbucks in Historic Branson near the river. This part of Branson is lovely, fountains that were designed by the same man who did Bellagio in Vegas. The shops down there are great too. But we really wished we had not gone , it was a long way to be disappointed!
Everytime I have gone to Branson from Little Rock we have gone thru Conway. Last time was in Dec. and it really snowed on us all the way from Conway. A 2-3 hr trip took almost 6 hrs. Bus driver even got stuck in snow as he was turning around in Branson in a parking lot!!
We couldn't get into the hotel until they salted the entrance!! Other times the scenry is beautifal from Conway to Branson, 2 lane and hilly.
Just a reply for those who might be interested in the answers. We took the second, scenic way, on Route 7 from Little Rock to Russellville to Harrison and on to Branson (going through Booger Hollow!). We took the first way, route 65, on the way home. That was not particularly scenic. It took 3 hours and 10 minutes with one gas stop.
Branson was pretty amazing to this person from the east coast. Not anything like it here. Lots (about 60 theatres and 154 shows) going on (like Las Vegas without the gambling and scimpily clad dancers). We had a 10 YO grand daughter with us so we attended as part of an Elderhostel Intergenerational Group (grandparents and grandchildren) 4 shows and the Duck tour. Shows were The Amazing Shanghai Acrobatic Circus, Hamner and Barber Variety Show (really cool magic and ventriloquist show), Ricky Boen and the Texas Mud (a Texas swing band which featured a 10 YO girl singer) and Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede. The grand daughter loved it all.
Can't say when we will return to the Midwest but it was fun for the week.
Margo
Why don't you take Hwy 7 up and 65 back? Highway 7 has some scenic areas with great views around the Jasper area. We take it all the time from Hot Springs to Branson. Stop in Harrison at The Neighbor's Mill for lunch and to buy some of their great breads, especially their fruit breads. The Cliff House has a great view--food is acceptable.
Neighbors Mill (on hwy 65 in Harrison, before you split off onto 7,so you'll pass it either way you go--west side of highway)
http://www.neighborsmill.com/aboutus.htm
As for stops along the way on Hsy 7:
Mystic Caverns
http://www.mysticcaverns.com/
The town of Jasper
http://www.arkansas.com/city-listings/city_detail/city/Jasper
You'll cross the Buffalo River, which was the first river in the US to be designated a national scenic river. My family loves to canoe the Buffalo.
Happytourist--If you will reread my reply you will note that we took the routes that you just mentioned. We also tried to have lunch at the Neighbors Mill In Harrison but it was closed on Sunday. We did find another Cafe up the road toward Branson which had good Arkansas food--it was packed with Sunday diners.
The Buffalo River area was very scenic and route 7 reminded me of the Skyline Drive (Shenendoah NP) in places.
Margo