Alright phred....Having experience traveling both of these interstates, I would have to go with the "A" plan. You want a more direct route, and you are on a budget. More importantly, Mapquest has screwed me many a time with inaccurate directions. I own the 1997 Rand McNally Road Atlas...(sold for $10.95) at any self respecting gas up.)....it is my bible, and it has never let me down.
Benefits of the "A" plan...
-more to the east, say, after Little Rock, Arkansas...the sights entering the Smoky Mountains are awesome...truly breathtaking...you'll see why they call them the Smokies!
Entering North Carolina..........whoa....my ride is here, I'll continue this later.....I'lll set you up phred!!! More tomorrow!
