PM-001 - Operation Rocky Mountain Roundup

Primary Route

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Franklinton, NC → Greensboro, NC → Winston-Salem, NC → Statesville, NC → Wytheville, VA → Bristol, VA/TN → Knoxville, TN → Nashville, TN → Memphis, TN → Little Rock, AR → Oklahoma City, OK → Amarillo, TX → Tucumcari, NM → Raton, NM → Trinidad, CO → Pueblo, CO → Colorado Springs, CO

Primary highway sequence: I-40 West → I-77 North → I-81 South → I-40 West → I-30 → I-40 West → I-25 North

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Alternate Route

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Franklinton, NC → Greensboro, NC → Winston-Salem, NC → Statesville, NC → Asheville, NC → Knoxville, TN → Nashville, TN → Paducah, KY → St. Louis, MO → Kansas City, MO → Salina, KS → Hays, KS → Colby, KS → Limon, CO → Colorado Springs, CO

Primary highway sequence: I-40 → I-81 → I-40 → I-24 → I-57 → I-64 → I-70 → US-24/I-25

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Key Stops

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* Wytheville, VA – Major junction of I-77 and I-81.
* Bristol, VA/TN – Gateway to Tennessee and western movement.
* Knoxville, TN – Major fuel, maintenance, and logistics hub.
* Nashville, TN – Strategic interstate junction.
* Memphis, TN – Mississippi River crossing and major resupply point.
* Little Rock, AR – Central Arkansas logistics stop.
* Oklahoma City, OK – Major services and route assessment point.
* Amarillo, TX – Primary High Plains logistics waypoint.
* Tucumcari, NM – Fuel and route transition stop.
* Raton, NM – Final New Mexico waypoint before Colorado.
* Trinidad, CO – Colorado entry point.
* Pueblo, CO – Final major services hub before destination.
* Colorado Springs, CO – Primary mission destination.

Planned Lodging

### Planned Lodging

**Night 1**

**Location:** Franklin, Tennessee
**Purpose:** First overnight stop after deployment from Franklinton, NC. Positions mission for efficient westbound movement on I-40.
**No Hotel, spending night at Mark and Cindy's (family).
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**Night 2**

**Location:** Weatherford, Oklahoma
**Hotel (Primary):** Fairfield Inn & Suites Weatherford
**Brand:** Marriott Bonvoy
**Purpose:** Balances daily driving requirements while maintaining Marriott loyalty benefits. Located directly along the I-40 corridor and approximately 40 miles east of Elk City. [\[maps.google.com\]](https://maps.google.com/maps/dir/?entry=wc), [\[mapquest.com\]](https://www.mapquest.com/)

**Day 2 Movement:**
Franklin, TN → Weatherford, OK
Approximate Driving Time: 11–12 hours

**Day 3 Movement:**
Weatherford, OK → Colorado Springs, CO
Approximate Driving Time: 8–9 hours

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**Night 3**

**Location:** Colorado Springs, Colorado
**Purpose:** Arrival at primary mission destination and commencement of Operation Rocky Mountain Roundup objectives.

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### Mission Assessment

**Weatherford represents the most balanced lodging option currently identified.** It preserves Marriott status benefits, avoids the very long push required to reach Amarillo, and reduces the final day's drive compared to stopping in Oklahoma City. [\[maps.google.com\]](https://maps.google.com/maps/dir/?entry=wc), [\[mapquest.com\]](https://www.mapquest.com/)

Route Rationale

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* Primary route bypasses the I-40 Pigeon River Gorge west of Asheville.
* Utilizes the I-77/I-81 corridor through Virginia to reach Bristol before turning west.
* Maintains continuous interstate travel with a straightforward route across Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico.
* Amarillo serves as a major plains logistics waypoint before the final approach through Raton Pass into Colorado.
* Reduces mountain roadway exposure compared to the Asheville corridor while preserving efficient travel to Colorado Springs.
* Provides an excellent transition route for subsequent movement north to Cheyenne via I-25.

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Known Risks

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* Heavy traffic around Knoxville, Nashville, Memphis, Oklahoma City, Amarillo, and Colorado Springs.
* Construction and congestion along I-81 through Virginia and Tennessee.
* Summer thunderstorms, flash flooding, and hail across Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and eastern New Mexico.
* Strong crosswinds across the Texas Panhandle, eastern New Mexico, and southern Colorado.
* High temperatures and increased fuel consumption across the Southern Plains.
* Steep grades, weather changes, and high winds through Raton Pass.
* Driver fatigue associated with extended interstate operations.

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