Your Guide to Missouri Road Trips

More than 33,000 miles of Missouri state highways wind through awe-inspiring scenery, towns brimming with history and quirky roadside attractions. Whether you’re looking for a quick weekend getaway or a weeklong odyssey, this guide will help you get started on your next road trip through the Show-Me State.

• Map It Out: No matter where you’re going, it’s a good idea to plan out your route ahead of time. Even if you have a specific destination in mind, consider adding some interesting stops to your itinerary. Museums, galleries, restaurants, state parks and conservation areas are great places to stretch your legs and explore.
• Download Some Tunes: Internet connection can be spotty in some of the rural areas of the state. If you like to listen to music or audiobooks, make sure to download them to your device before you hit the road.
• Stock Up on Snacks: Snacking is a time-honored road trip tradition. Here’s a guide on where you can pick up a variety of tasty Missouri-made snacks.
• Be flexible: It might sound counterintuitive, but you could find some amazing things to do by changing up your itinerary. Check out a small-town festival or follow a road sign to an unplanned stop. One of the best parts of exploring the Show-Me State is discovering something unique and unexpected.

Top Missouri Road Trip Destinations

Northeast

• Highway 79 runs north to south along the Mississippi River between Hannibal and St. Louis. In the fall, the route is awash with golds and reds, while in spring the entire valley becomes a lush, verdant green.
• Along the way, you’ll find small towns like Clarksville, “the eagle-viewing capital of the United States,” according to the World Bird Sanctuary. Every winter, hundreds of eagles migrate to the area where they feed on fish they pull from the river.
• In Louisiana, stop for a walk along the bank of the mighty Mississippi.

Northwest

• Interstate 29 stretches north from Kansas City to Rock Port. In between, you’ll find St. Joseph, a historic town filled with restaurants, museums and art galleries.
• The Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art opened in 1913 and is home to one of the region’s most comprehensive holdings of 19th-, 20th- and 21st-century works.
• Pay a visit to the Pony Express National Museum, which is a tribute to the legend and legacy of the famed route that started here. 

Central

• Highway 54 runs along the Lake of the Ozarks, one of the premier warm-weather spots in the Midwest perfect for a vacation with family or friends.
• Don’t miss family-fun opportunities in Osage Beach with outdoor adventure at Lake of the Ozarks State Park and Ha Ha Tonka State Park. Along the way, visit Ozarkland, a perennial favorite pit stop for fudge, candy and other road trip essentials.
• Head to the Capital City and check out the Missouri State Capitol and Missouri State Museum for a taste of the Show-Me State’s history. And while you’re in town, step into the wild at Runge Nature Center for live critters, a huge aquarium and lots of hands-on activities.

Southeast

• Highway 19 cuts through Eminence, one of the best places to begin exploring.
• Alley Spring and Mill, located just outside of Eminence, is one of the most photographed locations in the state. The historic red mill overlooks a dazzling turquoise spring.
• Get in touch with nature during a journey though the Mark Twain National Forest, the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, and several state parks and conservation areas sure to make a weekend getaway memorable.

Southwest

• Historic Route 66 generally runs east-west through the entire state, and there are several spots to explore along the way.
• Light up your night at the newest attraction along Missouri’s Route 66, St. Robert Neon Park.
• Farther west, you’ll find the Boots Court Motel in Carthage. Decked out in neon, the space first opened in 1939. The motel was renovated in recent years to keep that vintage flavor while adding a pop of color and art.