Just a note that 'Official' route takes 270 to hot springs and then picks up 7 to Little Rock. That's fine but 270 between I-30 and Hot Springs is a 4 lane interstate looking road. If you catch 7 at Arkadelphia you get a 2 lane twisty fun road the whole way. I may be a little longer, but it's much more fun.

 

Considering how our MINI's love the back roads, it is odd that they chose a route across the country almost entirely composed of boring straight interstates. If you are going to take 2 weeks to do a 3-4 day drive, you could take some more back roads. . . .

If (and its a BIG if) I end up going for the one day I am signed up for, I might not even do the group drive along the interstate between Memphis and Nashville. The two cities are about the same distance from Birmingham and I am not sure if I want to drive an extra 4 hours so I can drive a few hours on the interstate with a bunch of MINIs. . . Might just show up for the music festival in Nashville.

 

Sorry, but don't think you can take "7 to Little Rock." If you get on Hwy 7 at Hot Springs, and head north you'll be doing a heckuva hilly, twisty, scenic drive though - just'll end up 90 miles or so west of Little Rock. Hwy 7 is my suggestion for those who are weary of state after state of interstate for MTTS, and who may never pass through Arkansas again. May as well take the time to enjoy one of the best drives in the state (or anywhere, IMHO). This is why I suggested the Hwy 7 drive from Hot Springs to Mt. Nebo as an Alternate "Off the Beaten Path" Route in this thread:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=76018

 

If you take Byway 7 you will hit russellville and I40 then you can go east and meet back up with the crew. 7 is a nice road to drive, I used to take it all the time, when I was skipping school or on the weekend, and heading from lake hamilton(just west of Hot Springs) and pick up some friends in Mayflower and head to Little Rock for some party or just to hang a the mall. I think 7 to 40 would be a lot more fun than taking 30 all the way to Little Rock

 

You said it, man, I-30 is boring as %$&#. And if you do drive Scenic ByWay (Hwy) 7 you not only get the bonus of driving over Petit Jean Mtn, when you get to Dardanelle/Russellville be sure to take a quick ride up Mt. Nebo - some great switchbacks up the (small) mountain state park. See route directions here:

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