MISSOURI STATE - If the Illinois leg of Route 66 is about the prairie, the Missouri stretch is about the Ozarks. From the towering steel of the Gateway Arch to the cool, damp depths of the Meramec Caverns, Missouri offers some of the most dramatic landscape shifts on the entire 2,448-mile highway.
Buckle up—we're heading southwest from the Mississippi River into the heart of the "Show-Me State."
1. St. Louis: The Gateway to the West
Your Missouri adventure starts at the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge. After you've walked the 22-degree bend (and officially crossed state lines), head straight for the Gateway Arch. At 630 feet tall, it's not just a monument; it's a masterpiece of mid-century engineering.
Don't Leave Without:
- Ted Drewes Frozen Custard: A Route 66 staple since 1929. Order a "Concrete"—a shake so thick they serve it to you upside down. If it falls out, it's free (but it never does).
- Donut Drive-In: A neon-lit classic that's been fueling road trippers with glazed goodness since the 50s.
2. Stanton: Meramec Caverns
About an hour west of St. Louis, you'll start seeing the barns. For decades, Lester Dill painted "See Meramec Caverns" on hundreds of roofs across the Midwest, creating one of the first viral marketing campaigns in history.
The Meramec Caverns are a sprawling limestone underworld.
- The Jesse James Connection: Legend has it the notorious outlaw used these caves as a hideout.
- The "Stagecurtain": A massive, 70-foot-tall wall of stalactites that serves as the backdrop for a light and sound show that will make you feel like you've stepped back into 1950s Americana.
3. Cuba: The Mural City
Known as the Route 66 Mural City, Cuba is an open-air art gallery. The town features over a dozen massive murals depicting everything from Civil War battles to Bette Davis's 1948 visit.
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Photo Op: Stop by the Fanning 66 Outpost to see the world's second-largest rocking chair. It stands over 42 feet tall—perfect for making your car look like a toy.
4. St. Robert & Uranus: The Quirk Factor
Yes, you read that right. Uranus, Missouri, is a tongue-in-cheek roadside attraction that embraces every pun imaginable. Home to the Uranus Fudge Factory, it's a high-energy stop where the staff greets everyone with a cheerful "Thanks for picking Uranus!" It's kitschy, loud, and pure Route 66 magic.
5. Devil's Elbow: The Scenic Route
For a break from the neon, take the old alignment through Devil's Elbow. This stretch winds through the Ozark hills, leading to a historic 1923 bridge over the Big Piney River. With 200-foot limestone bluffs looming overhead, it's arguably the state's most beautiful natural vista.
6. Springfield: The Birthplace of the Road
While Illinois has its Springfield, Missouri's Springfield is where the name "Route 66" was officially proposed in 1926.
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Sleep Like a King: Check into the Best Western Route 66 Rail Haven. Elvis Presley famously stayed here in 1956, and you can still book the Elvis Suite—complete with a pink Cadillac-shaped bed.
Missouri Travel Checklist:
- Eat This: "Toasted Ravioli" in St. Louis. It's breaded, deep-fried, and served with marinara.
- See This: The Route 66 Neon Park in St. Robert, where vintage signs from across the state have been restored to their glowing glory.
- Drive This: The "Hooker Cut," a 90-foot deep road cut through solid rock near Waynesville that was a marvel of engineering when it opened in 1945.
Are you brave enough to try the "Concrete" challenge at Ted Drewes, or are the underground mysteries of Meramec more your style?