re: driving route to fayetteville

And to the OP, I think it depends on where in South Louisiana you are coming from.

From NO/BR I found it easiest to shoot up to Jackson, take I-20 to Tallulah, and then go up 65 through McGee, Dumas and Pine Bluff, onto LR.

Its a small road, but not as remote as 71 though western Arkansas. Its also flat, and much easier to drive.

Pine Bluff is shitsville, although there are some decent hotels there. If anything, try to stay in LR or Shreveport either way you go.

In spite of what a few posters have claimed, 71 through western Arkansas, particularly DeQueen to Waldron is very rugged terrain. Mostly national forest land, and there just aren't many people or hotels at all. There are a few truckstops and McDonald's, but otherwise you're looking at campgrounds and very small town motels.