Historic Route 66 across Missouri
Historic highways, quirky roadside stops, beautiful Missouri scenery, and the best kind of travel companions.
Some trips are about checking destinations off a list. Others are about the memories you make along the way. Our recent adventure across Missouri on historic Route 66 was definitely a little of both!
This was a special three-generation trip with my sister, my mom, and my Memaw (my maternal grandmother). We set out to explore the Mother Road, see some of its iconic stops, and enjoy a little time together away from the usual hustle and bustle. What we got was a road trip full of laughs, interesting places, friendly faces, and reminders that sometimes the journey really is the best part.
Starting in St. Louis: Making Sure We Covered ALL of Route 66
We kicked off our adventure in St. Louis, and we were determined to do Route 66 right. That meant heading to the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge and walking across the footbridge all the way to the Illinois state line.
Because if you’re going to say you’ve covered ALL of Route 66, you’ve got to start at the beginning, right?
It was a fun way to officially kick off our journey before heading west across Missouri.
One mile across on foot! 
Official starting point
Caves, Murals, and Plenty of Roadside Quirkiness
No Route 66 trip through St. Louis would feel quite complete without a stop at Ted Drewes Frozen Custard! This iconic St. Louis favorite is a fun way to add a sweet treat to the adventure before continuing west across Missouri. It’s one of those classic stops that makes a road trip about more than just the miles traveled — it’s about experiencing the local traditions and making memories along the way.
Novelties and a lot of history in here 
After St. Louis, we made our way to Meramec Caverns, where we explored the underground beauty of Missouri. One of the best surprises was meeting two couples from Northern Ireland who were on the same adventure along Route 66. It’s funny how travel can bring together people from completely different parts of the world who happen to be exploring the same place at the same time.
Jesse James Hideout 
We continued west to Cuba, Missouri, known as Mural City. The town’s murals make it a memorable Route 66 stop and a great place to slow down and take in the character of the communities along the highway.
Not far down the road, we visited the Gay Parita Sinclair gas station, a nostalgic roadside landmark that feels like stepping back into another era. The amount of old signs, trucks, license plates and car parts here is truly impressive! This was THE stop back in its time for anyone traveling through the area.
Of course, no Route 66 trip would be complete without a few wonderfully quirky stops! We made our way to Uranus Fudge Factory, which definitely brings its own unique personality to the Route 66 experience!
Every single item in the store had a punny, inappropriate name that made me giggle like a 12 year old boy! I know my kids would’ve loved this place, and probably my husband too if I’m being honest!
After a full day of exploring, we called it a night in St. Robert, ready to get back on the road the next morning.
Day Two: More Route 66 and a Stop in Joplin
Our second day took us farther west as we continued toward the Missouri-Kansas state line near Joplin, working our way through the remaining Missouri stretch of Route 66.
Along the way, we visited the Boots Court Motel, another stop that offers a glimpse into the history and nostalgia of America’s most famous highway. Unfortunately we couldn’t see an old room, but the visitor center next door was great and we were greeted by the owner who had a lot of knowledge to share!
Every good road trip needs a side quest, right? We made time for a detour to Red Oak II, an unusual roadside attraction near Carthage, Missouri, that adds another memorable stop to a Route 66 adventure. This is a recreation of the town that Lowell Davis grew up in. You can visit with his wife, purchase prints of some of his artwork and stroll or drive through this quaint town.
It was a fun reminder that some of the best parts of a road trip happen when you venture a little off the main route. Along with the iconic motels, quirky attractions, and historic highway stops, this side trip gave us one more reason to slow down, explore, and enjoy the journey together.
By the time we reached Joplin, we had worked up an appetite. We stopped at The Red Onion, and it was delicious! Sometimes the best meals on a road trip aren’t the ones you plan weeks in advance. As soon as you walk in you are greeted by a display case of a variety of very impressive desserts. We didn’t have room for any while there, but we sure did get a couple to go!
We finished the day by heading to Springfield for the night, but first checked out Music Road and Queen’s Gate. When you drive 30MPH and line your tires up with the grooves, put the windows down to hear America the Beautiful! How cool is that?! Then stop for great pictures at Queens Gate. This is in the middle of the road, and we were the only visitors at the time we stopped.
A Change of Scenery: Exploring Ha Ha Tonka State Park and a Well-Earned Meal
After spending our time traveling west along Route 66, we headed north the next day to Ha Ha Tonka State Park for a little outdoor adventure.
This stop gave us a completely different look at Missouri. We explored the castle ruins, enjoyed the beautiful natural scenery, and got in some hiking. We *accidentally* took my Memaw on a 1 mile hike through the middle of nowhere! But, she did amazing and we had some good laughs along the way. The views were worth it, but all that exploring definitely worked up an appetite!
Luckily, we knew just where to go next: Lambert’s Café, Home of the Throwed Rolls! After a day of hiking and wandering through the park, we were ready to eat. Lambert’s was a fun way to end our outdoor adventure and refuel after all those steps.
The Best Part Was Who I Shared It With
As much as I loved seeing the places we’d heard about and discovering new favorites, the best part of this trip was getting to experience it with my sister, mom, and Memaw.
Three generations, lots of laughs, plenty of interesting stops, and time together without constantly rushing to the next thing. We got to enjoy the little moments, take in the scenery, and make memories that we’ll be talking about for a long time.
One thing that really stood out was how friendly the people were at so many of the iconic stops. Whether we were exploring the caverns or checking out a roadside landmark, we kept running into people who were happy to chat and share in the experience. Those little interactions added something special to the trip.
And that’s one of the things I love most about traveling. You never know who you’ll meet, what you’ll discover, or which unexpected stop will end up being a favorite.
Would I Recommend a Route 66 Road Trip?
Absolutely! If you enjoy history, quirky roadside attractions, beautiful scenery, and discovering the character of small towns, Route 66 through Missouri is worth exploring.
My biggest takeaway? Don’t rush it. Give yourself time to stop, look around, talk to people, take pictures, and enjoy the places that catch your attention. The magic of Route 66 isn’t just in reaching the next destination. It’s in everything you experience between the stops.
Our Missouri adventure was a reminder that some of the best trips aren’t necessarily the fanciest or most elaborate. Sometimes, all you need is a good route, a little curiosity, and people you love riding along with you.
I’m so thankful for the memories we made on this trip, and I’m excited to share some of our photos from the places we visited. Missouri, you gave us plenty of reasons to smile!
Here’s to taking the scenic route, making memories, and finding a little adventure around every bend.
Happy travels!
— Ashley
