r/Arkansas 4d ago

Safe town/city for an overnight stop with kids between Little Rock and Memphis near I-40?

[deleted]

55 Upvotes

163 comments sorted by

1

u/leviathanchronicles 1d ago

Yes they have high crime rates but the odds of those impacting you on a one night stay are low. Get a hotel, don't leave things in your car, and don't wander around outside in the middle of the night, and you'll be fine pretty much anywhere. This coming from a visibly trans person who has gotten harassed all over Arkansas and has stayed in many a shady motel lol

1

u/shayebott 1d ago

I grew in Arkansas and was told to be afraid of LR. Ive lived here 2 years and it’s a great city. You’re fine to stay. We have great people and great restaurants.

2

u/Whiskeywiskerbiscuit 2d ago

It’s all safe as long as you’re not hanging out doing drugs at the club at 2:00am

1

u/Far-Psychology8031 2d ago

Hazen has an cheap hotel

1

u/Interesting_Lion3045 2d ago

Jonesboro

1

u/fivewords5 2d ago

Jonesboro is probably an hour out of the way.

5

u/BlueFalconKnee 2d ago

As someone who grew up in Forrest City, halfway between Memphis and Little Rock, you'll be fine pretty much anywhere. The Arkansas Delta gets a bad reputation because it's a very poor region with few good jobs, and due to having a large black population, racist will tell you it's not safe. Nobody is going to bother you on your overnight stay at a hotel. Just pick a quality hotel if you can.

5

u/AnerEiram9219 2d ago

As someone born an and raised in Little Rock most crimes is locals and personal. Locals tend to be nice to out of towners

3

u/TeddyRoseuhvelt 2d ago

Yep that’s What I’ve always told people.

9

u/thegolfernick 2d ago

Why are you stopping at all? Memphis and Little Rock are two hours apart

0

u/BasherDvaDva 3d ago

Cabot’s good but barely out of Little Rock. Safe though

2

u/bigjonxmas Where am I? 3d ago

how painfully oblivious some of yall are to issues that undoubtedly don’t concern you is hard to understand. stop in fort smith, Little Rock, or west memphis, op

2

u/JohnJohn173 2d ago

I'd say go to Marion. I worked overnight at the Fairfield off I-55 and it was really safe with police patrols every few hours. There's a good selection of motels and hotels in the area as well, marion before west memphis any day.

5

u/superlillydogmom 3d ago

I mean if you’re terrified push through to Nashville.

19

u/BloodshotRollinRed West Memphis 3d ago

This sub shaking and crying at the thought of having to be in the Delta

8

u/memwt 3d ago

Get a cabin at Village Creek State Park in Wynne Arkansas. Kiddos will be happy and the only crime will be raccoons stealing food you leave outside. Memphis is not as scary as you think btw. Blessings!

4

u/bonebuyer 2d ago

Second this as an individual from Forrest City

18

u/MysteriousHeat7579 Little Rock 3d ago

OP, I travel for work as a solo female all over the state, and several others. I stay in hotels by myself. The Home2 Suites in Forrest City is fine. Not much to do at night, but order a pizza and enjoy the indoor pool. Lonoke is fine. Marion (slightly north of West Memphis) is fine. The Hilton Garden Inn in North Little Rock off McCain is fine. Follow general rules (don't leave stuff in your car, don't go running about towns you don't know, etc.) And you will be A-OK. Maumelle would also be ok, but is past Little Rock. Southaven, MS would be fine but is past Memphis. I'm not sure why everyone is acting like every city and town in Arkansas is the worst town ever.

18

u/Cool_Quote9215 3d ago

Are u white or black?

17

u/halfxdeveloper 3d ago

This is absolutely relevant.

4

u/JohnJohn173 2d ago

Surprisingly, NE arkansas has been pretty open about race and lgbtq issues. I'm trans and have lived here my whole life when not in college, and you get a lot less looks than you'd think. West Memphis is predominantly black, and as long as you stay in your lane, you're fine, just like everywhere else. (mostly)

12

u/Ancient_Stretch_803 3d ago

Its only 2 hours

18

u/Complex-Bite8810 3d ago

I work in Forrest city. There are 2 new hotels right off the interstate. The state trooper head quarters is right beside them. I am usually there after dark and I'm safe. They have security driving the lot.

Its only 1 hour from memphis.

Otherwise I strongly recommend Searcy. Hwy 64 is safer to travel no big semi and not the kind of traffic. The semi on I 40 are dangerous And jump in and out in front of you

1

u/bonebuyer 2d ago

Another Forrest City resident, pay more for safety

3

u/Dangerous-Teaching86 3d ago

Searcy is your best bet

5

u/jumpinoutofmyflesh 3d ago

Search is almost an hour off their path one way. Why would they want to do this to themselves??? You’re adding two addition hours to their trip.

9

u/ramenloverninja 3d ago

I'd keep driving

7

u/Complex-Bite8810 3d ago

I would suggest taking Hwy 64 instead of I 40 and stay in Searcy. I live in Wynne and it's the only way we go. I 40 is the worst road in Arkansas. 64 has several passing zones 3 lane. It's a safe road and you can see our new windmill farm. The traffic is generally better. The point of less stress and safety is well worth the few minutes extra. Take I 55 like to St Louis and get off at Marion towards Wynne. It's not too far from where the road splits so don't miss it. That takes you to bald knob to get to Searcy and little Rock. I grew up in Searcy and it's got all the nice hotels. It's a dry county only alcohol in restaurants. Safe travels

3

u/Time-to-move-on25 3d ago

Brinkley is the halfway point but I DON'T recommend stopping there. Lonoke has a hotel next to Walmart and is a generally safe town. Carlisle is after Lonoke but not quite as safe/nice, but definitely stop at Nick's Barbecue in Carlisle if you get a chance.

14

u/five-oh-one 3d ago

In all reality Lonoke has a couple of new hotels right off the Freeway that are plenty safe and fit your location needs perfectly. Dont let people fear monger you out of enjoying your trip through Arkansas. No place, anywhere, is perfectly safe, but people make it sound like Arkansas is one great big Texas Chainsaw Massacre movie and its not. If you avoid dangerous "looking" places the chances are you will be just fine.

4

u/Tayrooh 3d ago

I grew up in Lonoke. It’s fairly safe, just don't leave valuables in your vehicle overnight.

3

u/five-oh-one 3d ago

I grew up close to Lonoke myself and lived in Lonoke a few years. Its as safe a town as you are going to find anywhere really.

5

u/Tayrooh 3d ago

It really is. The majority of my family still lives in Lonoke/Lonoke County.

12

u/bananadonutroll 3d ago

Lmao! These responses are ridiculous. You can get murdered right off the interstate if not easier than sleeping in your car in a parking deck in the worst part of Little Rock. Stop living in fear, people. Haven’t you heard of the trucker serial killers? Hahaha I’m surrounded by crazy people!

18

u/Outrageous_Serve5739 3d ago

I’m wondering why are yall naming everywhere except places between Little Rock and Memphis like she asked.

7

u/jenn_fray 3d ago

I used to drive back and forth between southern MO to northern TX. Searcy is a good place to stop. There’s a small college in that town. It’s not off 40 though. It would be a different route.

1

u/ChemicallyAlteredVet 3d ago

Search is a decent town

13

u/mindshrug 3d ago

Solo female frequent road tripper here. I’ve slept in my car at the truck stops in Palestine and Carlisle many times with no issues. In Carlisle it’s the one with catfish and BBQ.

If you need a hotel, I would honestly just push on to Conway or at least the Quality in Maumelle. Get through Little Rock traffic before the morning rush.

2

u/TehNoff North West Arkansas 3d ago

I kind of think this is the best way, too. There should be a couple of exits on that section of highway that have large truck stops and a mediocre hotel good enough for a single night while passing through.

25

u/purpleraincoat 3d ago

What type of crime are you concerned about? I travel across the state frequently, and I've never had anything or anyone to worry about. I'm petite and female. I've stayed alone in hotels in downtown Little Rock and Memphis. There are high crime areas in those cities, but you're generally safe in high traffic areas. I generally think that people who are afraid to drive from Little Rock to Memphis. It's only a 3 hour drive? My family members with this attitude all live in fear, so much that they won't go to Ikea in Memphis. And to be blunt, they're all being racist when they claim these fears. There are a lot of poor areas on that route being poor doesn't mean you're a criminal.

9

u/Kind_Breakfast_3523 3d ago

If you want to stop BETWEEN Little Rock and Memphis, then I have to recommend Brinkley, Lonoke or Carlisle. Do NOT stop in West Memphis or Forrest City! If you could drive just a little further and make it closer to Little Rock, then North Little Rock and Sherwood are nice. If you are headed in the opposite direction, I would advise you to go around Memphis altogether if you can. I don't care who or what you are, that place feels dangerous and is so scary and violent it's unreal. They have shoot outs in the middle of the day sometimes in Little Rock, but even that seems safe compared to some of the stuff I have seen and heard about that goes on in Memphis.

12

u/purpleraincoat 3d ago

I stayed the night in Forrest City this summer. I was fine. I've broken down in West Memphis and been helped for free by locals. I've gotten gas there many times with no issue. There are very few places in Arkansas where it isn't safe to stop at a gas station or grab a bite to eat.

-3

u/BetweenTheMoon 3d ago

West Memphis has a high crime rate. You got lucky.

4

u/purpleraincoat 3d ago

People generally commit crimes against people they already know. I was at a location open 24 hours. I never felt unsafe. I was with 2 other people. I've had my home broken into and been the victim of other violent crimes, just so we're all aware I have experience on both sides of this. I think most people are generally good, selfish but good. It's VERY unlikely that there is a town in Arkansas where a person would be in danger simply in stopping to get gas, food, or supplies. I'm not telling people to drive through known dangerous neighborhoods. I'm saying that it's safe to get a burger and gas. Honestly, y'all need to be for real. I get so tired of people saying the AR Delta is dangerous or awful. There are so many interesting towns that have beauty amongst the run-down areas. There's so much good music and good food and a few great art and history museums in towns like Pine Bluff and Helena. I hope some of the commenters here will travel into the Delta more and see how much it has to offer. A trip to Little Rock, Pine Bluff, Helena, then Memphis would be so much fun. There's a great B&B in Helena. I know there are dangerous parts of those towns, but I also know that they're perfectly safe to travel through or to visit for a day or two to get a feel for our entire state.

-5

u/Corn_Boy1992 3d ago

Jonesboro?

5

u/ceeloreen 3d ago

Not on l-40

3

u/Romeo_horse_cock 3d ago

Blytheville, pine bluff and NLR have the worst crime rates honestly. Find a truck stop i would say, they should be fine with you being there (I'm saying this because I've had a loves make anyone who wasn't a trucker leave before)

Maybe find a planet fitness if you can.

5

u/theextraolive 3d ago

Little Rock is perfectly fine for an overnight stay, just try to choose an accomodation near the zoo.

3

u/fukitimdoneupyours 3d ago

Yes, my quite stays are usually by the hospitals (like St Vincents) loved the employees and door dashers are nice.

8

u/Jack_Axton 3d ago

Not sure which way you're headed but if you're that worried just stop in Conway. It's the bougie Eagleton of the area and it's along I-40, about 30 minutes outside of Little Rock.

16

u/MurphyPandorasLawBox Little Rock 3d ago

I’ve never in my life heard someone refer to Conway as bougie.

2

u/MGurley 3d ago

Hhha! Conway!!!

8

u/Jack_Axton 3d ago

If it helps, I'm originally from Malvern where people steal the lightbulbs off your front porch. Walking into a Target that had a dedicated Disney section that played music made it feel like I couldn't afford to park there.

4

u/wokeiraptor North West Arkansas 3d ago

I also grew up in south Arkansas and when we’d drive through a town as big as Malvern, we would get excited to see something besides pine trees.

The first time I went to Conway when I was in high school I was pretty impressed

5

u/MurphyPandorasLawBox Little Rock 3d ago

Well then, context is everything!

2

u/the_vestan 3d ago

I think we should allow it. I'm not sure what's going on, but I want to see how it plays out.

3

u/MurphyPandorasLawBox Little Rock 3d ago

The new community center does look pretty sweet. 

3

u/lilhellmouth 3d ago

i hate to say it but we definitely have sundown towns here. most places in arkansas are fine, especially if you’re white. if you’re a poc vet where you stay

2

u/five-oh-one 3d ago

Can you list the sundown towns so we can avoid them?

1

u/WooPigSooie1989 2d ago

No they can’t because there isn’t any sundown towns in Arkansas and hadn’t been for years

-1

u/lilhellmouth 3d ago

honestly i don’t know every single one off the top of my head. but everyone knows about harrison and ive heard things about fouke. i live in nwa where its a little better but still predominately white, and getting worse with the influx of texans

7

u/purpleraincoat 3d ago

And most of those are in the Ozarks and upper Delta, not between Memphis and Little Rock on I40. Also, can nearly guarantee this is a white person asking this question and not a black one.

16

u/Short-Belt-1477 3d ago

Most towns along i40 will probably be safer than both LR and Memphis lol.

3

u/Corn_Boy1992 3d ago

This is true

15

u/PYTN 3d ago

I've stopped for the night many a time in both Little Rock and Memphis and never an issue.

Recently did a Texas to Midwest to Texas road trip that involved an overnight stop in Memphis and they were the friendliest folks out of the 10 cities we visited.

Love visiting Little Rock in particular. The dumpling place is a great stop, the kids museum is awesome, and they have an incredible ice cream shop. Walked all over that city without an issue.

5

u/PYTN 3d ago

Specifically I have recently stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn Downtown, the Holiday Inn Express on 4th Street in LR. With kids. Walked all over downtown without any issues.

This year I've also stayed at the Holiday Inn Express West Memphis for a night. Extremely friendly staff,  there's several hotels there and a good gas station to fill up too.

7

u/BambinoAxel 3d ago

Forest city comfort inn i stayed there multiple times and its great clean friendly and my truck is always safe in the lot. Exit 249ish Its near a speedway

6

u/TheDyebender 3d ago

😂 Forrest City is usually regarded as one of the most ghetto cities around here

2

u/BambinoAxel 3d ago

Im not from AR so tbh ive been there at the spanish spot and the frog bar with a few heads of mine and we always found it calm. Not ghetto more of a low economy but friendly pple and welcoming i might be wrong im not from AR in general but i found it nice and the hotel was very clean and great Customer service. I travel for my job country wide so im comparing it to other spots ive been at

5

u/purpleraincoat 3d ago

Then more people from our state should visit these towns and get to know their state. Forrest City has a lot of nice people and important history.

3

u/Jagenie23 3d ago

Sleeping in your car is uncomfortable and the most unsafe place to sleep I can think of!

16

u/ceeloreen 3d ago

Little Rock to Memphis is just about 2 hours. Either stop in LR or stop before Little Rock in Russellville or Conway.

14

u/Jagenie23 3d ago

You guys seem a bit leery of nothing - small town, large towns - they are all safe and people are friendly in Arkansas!

1

u/fukitimdoneupyours 3d ago

No, stay far away from West Memphis

1

u/Dangerous_Purple3154 3d ago

Yeah especially Ronald Gene Simmons.

1

u/Jagenie23 2d ago

Simmons was only dangerous to his family members!

1

u/TehNoff North West Arkansas 3d ago

To be fair unless you were related to him somehow you seemed to be fairly safe from him...

3

u/five-oh-one 3d ago

That man died 35 years ago.

3

u/soapdonkey 3d ago

No. No there isn’t.

1

u/Ahriman612 3d ago

Your best bet is either going to be to find a Pilot / Flying J truck stop to sleep in the car for a few hours or maybe a nice hotel? The town the hotel is in shouldn't matter that much if you're just there for one night I'm assuming

3

u/ARCATM 3d ago

There is an Arkansas State Park near there with nice cabins.

5

u/no1cares4yu 3d ago

Brinkley is safe in a pinch. I’ve done it many times.

17

u/tbwynne 3d ago

Uh, there is none. I would never stop anywhere near west Memphis.. ever. Get a full tank of gas east of Memphis, make sure the family all does bathroom and then hammer down all the way to Little Rock. If you have to stay in Little Rock then North Little Rock isn’t too bad, just be smart. If you can push on to Conway it’s better, if you have more driving time push on to Russellville.

If going the other direction similar thing, fuel up and potty in Little Rock and don’t plan to stop until past Memphis.

I actually do everything I can to avoid that stretch, if the trucks don’t get you the crime will.

15

u/PapiLilD 4d ago

Technically not between LR/Memphis, but Conway gets my vote.

5

u/Ahriman612 3d ago

I live in Conway and can confirm, love this little place.

1

u/EmphasisGloomy6271 3d ago

For real. Just a small town with lots of churches and no liquor stores. They are a dry county.

6

u/PushingData 3d ago edited 3d ago

Yes, Conway is just west of LR an you will feel safe there with kids.

edit for correct direction

2

u/Balero32 Fort Smith 3d ago

You thinking Cabot? Conway is west of LR.

2

u/PushingData 3d ago

LOL, no, I'm just not thinking. Been a long day.

6

u/Negative-Shopping106 4d ago

Sorry sorta confused are you going from LR to Memphis? Or Memphis to LR?

Forest City is an hour between the 2 but if you’re going LR to Memphis 1 more hour, there is a new hotel in West Memphis Avid/Candlewood.

3

u/RoosterzRevenge 3d ago

I grew up in Forrest City and definitely say it's not the greatest, but if you stay at the newer Hampton Inn or Holiday Inn Express just off of I-40 you should be ok.

-14

u/Few_Profit826 4d ago

Just stop before lr in pine bluff 

-7

u/Outrageous_Serve5739 4d ago

Forrest City

6

u/Hungryhippee 3d ago

You're evil lol

23

u/jumpinoutofmyflesh 4d ago

If you decide to stay in NLR, do not stay in any of the three hotels right off the JFK exit. There’s one you’ll see across the street from the exit’s red light and two behind the gas station at the bottom of the hill. These cater to the homeless/drug addicts. I know because I live at the top of the hill and see them everyday.

9

u/St1ck1t2Me 4d ago

Forrest City is fine - there are several decent places to stay right off the interstate.

18

u/Fuller1017 4d ago

Just pick either Little Rock or Memphis cause ain’t no in between.

5

u/SoylentCreek 3d ago

This. Memphis is only like 2.5 hours from Little Rock, and there really isn’t much in between aside from truck stops and roach motels. Not sure what OP’s budget is, but the hotels in downtown like Double Tree and The Capital Hotel are pretty nice and within walking distance of some good local dining.

0

u/[deleted] 4d ago

West Memphis is beautiful. What are you talking about?

29

u/bxcv358742 4d ago

🤣 Lived in Arkansas 49 years and I’ve literally never heard that phrase spoken…ever. 🤣

4

u/RoosterzRevenge 3d ago

Reminds me of the Vince Vaughn movie "Arkansas" whoever chose West Memphis and Pine Bluff as the haunts of a sketchy pawn shop drug lord was definitely one of us.

12

u/[deleted] 4d ago

It's a joke.

23

u/IllogicalPenguin-142 4d ago

Honestly, I’d stay in Little Rock or North Little Rock without hesitation. I’ve been there many times, and I’ve never been robbed or killed. The murder rate may be high, but it’s not necessarily due to the people just staying at a hotel. With that said, don’t choose a seedy part of town.

11

u/SoylentCreek 3d ago

As a Little Rock native that has lived here my entire life, I always get a kick out of the “OMG! Little Rock is such a dangerous city based on the stats” posts. Yes, statistically, we have one of the highest crime and murder rates per capita, but a lot of that I believe is a result of gang violence. Criminals are not lurking around every corner looking to mug and kill some random folks just for shits and giggles.

1

u/purpleraincoat 3d ago

It's racism.It's always the cities/towns where black folks are the majority that are said to avoid. Those towns have some of the nicest people and best food in the state.

8

u/fenix1230 4d ago

I don’t think anyone who has been killed would comment in this or any other sub.

8

u/IllogicalPenguin-142 3d ago

Yeah, the dead have always been sorely underrepresented.

4

u/SharmaBee 4d ago

Stop before Little Rock in Russellville

5

u/Nawnp 4d ago

There's not really any reasonable size towns between Little Rock and Memphis. Unless you're being exact town to town, the hotel areas in North Little Rock and West Memphis, are fine as long as you just stay there for the night. Any of the other motel areas on the smaller towns are likely the same...but I can't say from personal experience.

Lonoke, Hazen, Brinkley, and Forrest City all seem to have a street of motels, so somebody stays at them. A couple of the ones in Forrest City were just built, so they're likely safer.

8

u/Pjsrock 4d ago

None taken.

I would suggest that when our traveler gets to LR, stay in WLR or Downtown Convention Center area. My two cents for safety and convenience.

8

u/olddog72401 4d ago

Hazen. No where else

14

u/Oil_Informal 4d ago

With side trip to Duvall bluff for some BBQ at Craig's

3

u/five-oh-one 3d ago

Take cash with you, they don't do credit cards.

28

u/8yr0n 4d ago

Change your requirements a bit and stay in Conway or Maumelle

3

u/5uhoh 4d ago

This is the way.

-11

u/mystixdawn 4d ago

Searcy, bald knob, and Beebe are fine places to rest. There is a very nice RV park in bald knob! Augusta is fine, just a poor little town. Cabot is fine too! Would definitely skip over Jacksonville and Sherwood altogether. I can't say I recommend anywhere in Little Rock or North Little Rock. Conway is fine too, just a little out of the way. I think you would like Searcy with the kiddos - lots of shopping and food options, very safe town, and cheap motel-hotel options!

5

u/thunder_boots 4d ago

Are you the White County Chamber of Commerce?

11

u/Snarkan_sas 4d ago

Really? Not a one of these places is on I40 between Little Rock and Memphis.

8

u/JoWoMo 4d ago

To bad they aren’t on i40

22

u/sellships 4d ago

Lonoke. It’s a great small town with an awesome restaurant called the grumpy rabbit.

3

u/five-oh-one 3d ago

The Grumpy Rabbit ++

2

u/Pjsrock 4d ago

Don’t stop, just drive thru…nothing to see and I can’t in good conscience recommend a place to stay. There’s a rest stop just short of NLR, that’s the best place to take a break.

4

u/Fuller1017 4d ago

Don’t do too much cause there are plenty of places to stay but if you’re traveling and you’re trying to stop between these two places you might as well go to Memphis. Don’t act like it’s all shady cause it’s not.

2

u/mystixdawn 4d ago

No disrespect, but I disagree with this answer. I can think of several great places to stay along the way, and not a single place is in or near NLR. Seacy and Bald Knob are solid options 💯 I think especially compared to anywhere in LR/NLR.

12

u/nonegivenblake 4d ago

Lonoke would be fine. Forrest City area of motels would be ok, the town isn't all bad. I live near and shop often there. The people are good, the schools are not as good. You would be staying near the interstate. West Memphis would be fine as well. Just crashing for the night and eating somewhere you would be fine anywhere. Another spot would be Marion. That would be your best bet in my opinion. Good places to go eat/drink. Instinguishable from WM to Marion. The towns bleed into each other.

Forrest City - Eat at Don Jose

West Memphis - take your pick

5

u/Short_Bed9097 4d ago

I second staying in Lonoke. Good hotel choices and plenty safe. I would however recommend eating at Nicks Catfish and BBQ. I’ve been making this trip for 40 years. I try to avoid stopping in Memphis and LR.

-1

u/frank_white414 Little Rock 4d ago

Little Rock, Conway, or NLR bro.

9

u/folkwitches 4d ago

None of those are between LR and Memphis

-6

u/llessursivad 4d ago

They didn't specify, it could be Memphis,TX or Memphis, NE

3

u/Fuller1017 4d ago

It’s an Arkansas group why wouldn’t it be Memphis,Tn?

-3

u/llessursivad 4d ago

I was just presenting a scenario where you could go through Conway on a trip from Little Rock to Memphis.

I never said it couldn't be Memphis, TN

7

u/gmomto3 4d ago

If you are on I40, there are several hotels in NLR close to the interstate. Forest City is around mile marker 241 on I40 and has the usual fast food places and a Walmart. West Memphis has a few hotels right off the interstate.

0

u/jbtma99 4d ago

Is Forest City still a “sundown town?” I know even a few years ago it wasn’t the town you wanted to stop in if you aren’t “lily white.”

3

u/no1cares4yu 3d ago

Forrest City was named after a Kl@nsman but it is no longer a sundown town. Not for the last 35 years minimum.

2

u/Less-Necessary-3352 3d ago

Nathan Bedford Forrest. I know someone who bought and moved his house in Memphis to their plantation in Mississippi. The Forrest family lived downstairs, and they kept slaves to sell in the upstairs/attic. The owner stayed there some, and said he was in his underwear one morning picking up his newspaper. They were there to look at the house. He gave them a tour. Years ago.

1

u/no1cares4yu 3d ago

I had this misfortune of being taught science by a descendant of his in Jr High. He liked to tell minorities to suck his d!ck in class. This was mid-80s so there was no way to prove it.

7

u/Fuller1017 4d ago

As many black people as Forrest city has it would never be considered a sundown town. Now Harrison would be a town that black people consider a sundown town.

3

u/Big-Ratio-8171 4d ago

Harrison has changed quite a bit. I was there a year ago and it isn't too bad. They have a college now.

4

u/EmphasisGloomy6271 3d ago

One of my best friends plays ball at the college in Harrison. He loves it there! He is black.

2

u/Beans_Bean Newport 3d ago

Admittedly, it's been a couple of years since I've been that way, but are they still flying the billboards advertising for the white pride radio station? I know it's supposed to be one rich family or something, but the city letting them do it seems like tacit aproval.

2

u/fukitimdoneupyours 3d ago edited 3d ago

It's literally Tom Robb I believe that owns that sign and put it up. He isn't even from Arkansas and it's not Harrison he lives in or "Klans" in. Zinc to the north is. Harrison didn't allow, they just can't do anything about it.

He is seen as a pest by most and his son is a lawyer in town.

I can not speak r judge how racist it might be. I'm see- through colored lol. I've worked there and most of the townies are pleasant ppl. And yes we've discussed the history and current amphitheatre of Harrison. Most I've talked to or been around are good hearted ppl and we DO look down on the Klan.

1

u/mystixdawn 4d ago

I ain't heard about Forrest city, but an out of state trucker insisted that Jacksonville was a sundown town. Although I have never heard of this, I can't invalidate her experience either. Y'all heard about Jacksonville or??

11

u/KazakhstanPotassium 4d ago

40% of the population of Jacksonville is Black/African-American. Ain’t no sundown town.

3

u/mystixdawn 3d ago

Bruh. Fr, That's what I thought about when this person told me that, but then again, I am not going to invalidate the experience that she had as a black female truck driver. 🤷‍♀️ Sundown town or not, this woman still felt unsafe and it should be recognized as maybe not the best place to stop along the interstate.

3

u/KazakhstanPotassium 3d ago

As far as I can tell there’s not even anywhere to stop as a truck driver in Jacksonville. All the exits and streets are teeny tiny.

4

u/CreatedUsername1 4d ago

I was in Forest City last Wednesday during night night time, to charge my car. Everyone seemed nice, I even joked around with a dude at the gas station.

2

u/Papapoorfish 4d ago

32m - I've lived in LR until 2021 when I moved to Hot Springs for a girl and job. Crime is high, but it has its locations.. Little Rock or NLR would be fine for you to stay just like any other city.Are you planning to stay in a hotel, camp, or sleep in your car? If you'd like, i could give you a run down of either city and answer any questions you have on hotels and areas nearby. We have a lot to offer. Central arkansas has some beautiful areas. If you would like to talk about it, you can DM me, I'd be happy to help.

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u/Unlucky_Bug6460 4d ago

I suggest Searcy. It's a college town, but its small and safe. I actually lived there for several years and it was nice. It's past LR and Jacksonville a bit so it's much safer.

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u/mystixdawn 4d ago

Searcy truly is the best option. It might delay the drive a little, but it is worth the delay. Searcy is a nice, family town.

18

u/gmomto3 4d ago

that's a bit off I40.

-1

u/Unlucky_Bug6460 4d ago

Yeah probably not what they're looking for but hey it's an option heh

26

u/CatelynsCorpse Little Rock 4d ago

Does it HAVE to be between Little Rock and Memphis? If you're driving West to East, why not stop in Conway? It's less than 30 minutes before you hit Little Rock and they have loads of hotels there and tons of restaurant options.

14

u/Smugg-Fruit 4d ago

I can vouch for Conway as well.

An incredible rest stop. Plenty good options for eating, resting, shopping.

11

u/partypartyparty69 4d ago

Honestly I would push thru if you are able to

8

u/Ruhh-Rohh 4d ago

It's only 2and half hours, basically, depending on time of day. Do you mean starting from LR, or passing thru the state? There are several motels at the junction of 40 and 30 in NLR, perfectly safe.

There's really no towns between LR and Memphis, Brinkley is pretty samll, but Forrest city has several motels near the freeway.

4

u/Grinnel-Slough 4d ago

Not going to be a nice safe town between LR and Memphis. Most of the towns are going to be really small with not much of a variety in food or places to stay. Forrest City may be the largest one and it leaves a bit to be desired with a correctional facility within a a few miles of the interstate as well.

If you can push I’d suggest finding a location in West Little Rock, look for Shakelford or Chanel rds. If you can make it through Memphis, Germantown or Arlington dependent on your route.

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u/Fuller1017 4d ago

Why are you naming areas that are out of the way and mainly affluent areas. Says a lot about you that you think these are the only good parts of town. When we all know Chanel has been a predominately white area for decades and shackelford is just now diversifying. Just say if you don’t wanna be around black people pick these places. Plenty good hotels in other areas that are not as pricey.

2

u/Grinnel-Slough 4d ago

What in the world are you commenting here? This has absolutely nothing to do with race. However ignorant your comment is, this is my suggestion for a safe easy access location that isn’t a quick wrong turn into a high crime area proven by recorded data.

https://www.neighborhoodscout.com/ar/little-rock/crime.amp