Southwest to Southeast corridor
I-40 weather for long cross-country drives
I-40 crosses desert, high plateau, plains, river valleys, and the southern Appalachians. Elevation and storm timing can create very different conditions along one trip.
Corridor coverage
Barstow, Flagstaff, Albuquerque, Amarillo, Oklahoma City, Little Rock, Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, and Raleigh
Forecast timing can differ by segment. Check current weather and official road information before committing to a long-distance departure.
Representative sections
Where weather can change along this highway
Weather risks
Conditions to compare before departure
- wind and dust in the Southwest
- snow around Flagstaff
- Plains severe thunderstorms
- heavy rain and fog near the Appalachians
Winter snow affects high-elevation Arizona and New Mexico. Spring severe weather is important across the Plains, and summer heat or flash flooding can affect western sections.
Official verification
Road and weather sources
Use these sources for closures, restrictions, chain requirements, incidents, and official warnings.
Current route forecasts on this corridor
US-93 and northern Arizona
280 miles · 4.5 hours
Arizona high desert and plateau
230 miles · 4 hours
I-40 toward East Tennessee
215 miles · 4 hours
I-40 into the Blue Ridge Mountains
130 miles · 2.5 hoursDriveWindow combines researched corridor geography with time-sensitive forecasts from representative route points. Read the route weather methodology and data-source policy.