Regional Trails & Byways: Missouri’s Route 66
You don’t have to travel far on Route 66 in Missouri to realize you’re in for one fantastic road trip. Stretching more than 280 miles from east to west, Route 66 includes two of Missouri’s largest cities, notable attractions, scenic views, and motor courts harkening to a bygone era. Here are some ways you can enjoy your Route 66 adventure in Missouri.
Start off Sweet
Begin your trip in St. Louis, where a popular roadside eatery has been serving locals and travelers alike for more than 60 years. Ted Drewes Frozen Custard opened on Route 66 (Chippewa Avenue) in the early 1940s and has been a staple in the community ever since. With delicious treats like “All Shook Up” (a peanut-butter-banana combo), it’s no wonder Ted Drewes is the spot for cooling off on warm summer evenings. It’s just 15 minutes from the Gateway Arch, an iconic symbol of St. Louis and the U.S.
Look for Jesse’s Loot
About an hour west of St. Louis, Meramec Caverns in Stanton is one of Missouri’s most well-known attractions. While touring Meramec Caverns, you’re bound to hear about Jesse James, an outlaw notorious for stashing his loot in caves around Missouri. Jesse used Meramec Caverns as a hideout … but if he stashed anything there, it hasn’t been discovered. On-site, there’s a motel, campground, canoe rental, restaurant and zipline attraction.
Sightsee and Savor
The beautiful murals in Cuba, Mo., commemorate everything from Missouri’s role in the Civil War to local history. Just outside of Cuba visit the Fanning 66 Outpost, home to the Route 66 Rocker – once the world’s largest. Just west of Cuba, visit St. James and sample wines at the award-winning St. James Winery.
Connect with Nature
Get out to enjoy nature’s beauty in Pulaski County. Take a canoe trip on the beautiful Big Piney River, enjoy (and snap photos) at the scenic Route 66 overlook that features a wooden trestle railroad bridge, and explore the Roubidoux Spring area in Laughlin Park. The spring also has an underwater cave; you must be scuba-certified and have your gear with you.
Visit the Birthplace of Route 66
Springfield is the birthplace of “The Mother Road.” At a meeting in Springfield on April 30, 1926, the Chicago-to-Los Angeles Highway was first called Route 66! Several sites around the city have ties to the highway, including a vintage Steak-n-Shake Restaurant and the History Museum on the Square. About 20 minutes west of Springfield, near Ash Grove, you find Gary’s Gay Parita, a recreation Sinclair gas station. Travelers from around the globe visit this site every day, making it one of Route 66’s most popular destinations.
Explore the Western Edge
As your travels on Route 66 lead toward the western border of Missouri, visit the road’s remaining cities, including Carthage and Joplin. In Carthage, don’t miss Red Oak II and the 66 Drive-In Theatre. In Joplin, take your camera (and swimming suit, if it’s warm enough) to Grand Falls, the largest continually flowing waterfall in Missouri.
