"The Mother Road" was established on November 11, 1926, and ultimately stretched 2,448 miles from Chicago to Los Angeles. Starting in Chicago, westbound travelers traversed a series of towns in Illinois before arriving in St. Louis.
Route 66 across Missouri stretched 317 miles and connected a variety of large cities and small towns, traversing rolling hills and valleys. Heading westbound the route traveled through these cites and towns in Missouri: St. Louis, Cuba, Rolla, Lebanon, Springfield, Carthage and Joplin.
The Mother Road followed much of the Kickapoo, or Osage, Trail, an Indian trail that later became the Old Wire Road. Like other Route 66 segments, the actual alignment varied over the years as engineering improvements were constructed.
We've driven much of Route 66, including multiple segments across Missouri.
Historic U.S. Route 66 Byway in Missouri |
Approximate location of Historic Route 66 from Lebanon to Joplin, Missouri
Now let's head west on The Mother Road, where we will make stops along Route 66 in Missouri, starting at Lebanon and ending at Joplin ... the route is about 125 miles, but varied over the years as new alignments were constructed.
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Sign at the famous Munger Moss Motel in Lebanon |
Neon at night at the Munger Moss Motel in Lebanon |
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Route 66 mural with a 1957 Chevrolet, in Lebanon, Missouri ... "Drive our town" |
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Laclede County Missouri ... surrounding Lebanon |
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If you are traveling westbound on I-44 between Lebanon and Springfield, be sure and stop at the Conway Rest Area. It features a very nicely done Route 66 Welcome Center, picnic tables, walking trails, restrooms, and lots of Route 66 references! Located near Mile Marker 110. Map and directions at Google
Springfield, MissouriSpringfield, Missouri, Route 66 Visitor Center, at 815 E. St. Louis Street |
"66" Hubcap Sculpture in Springfield, Missouri |
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Museum on the Square in SpringfieldWith one of the largest Route 66 timelines and maps in the country, this gallery is a must-see for any Americana enthusiast. Hop into the turquoise blue '57 Chevy Bel Air convertible at the John T. Woodruff Theater and learn about the Springfieldian who helped give Route 66 its name. The History Museum on the Square is located at 154 Park Central Square on Historic U.S. Route 66 in the heart of downtown Springfield, Missouri. |
Gay Parita Sinclair Filling StationThe original structure on this site was built in 1930 by Fred and Gay Mason. Fred named the station "Gay Parita" after his wife Gay. The station burned in 1955, and never reopened. It was later lovingly recreated by Gary and Lena Turner in 2005. Gary passed away in 2015, and the site is commonly known today as "Gary's Gay Parita". Barbara Barnes, Gary's daughter, and George Bowick continue to operate the station today. It is located between Halltown and Spencer, Missouri, about 25 miles west of Springfield, and 3 miles west of Halltown. Route 66 roadtrippers always make a stop at this station, at 21118 Old Highway 66, Ash Grove, Missouri (see map below). Highly recommended! For more information, visit Gary's Gay Parita website and Gay Parita on Facebook or phone 843.324.6661 |
Spencer, Missouri Phillips 66 Service StationThe General Store was the first building built on this site in 1926. The garage was completed in 1927 and the café / barbershop in 1928. It is located only 1.6 miles west of Gay Parita on all original Route 66 concrete. In June of 2022, Ed Klein of Route 66 World purchased the property and buildings to further continue the restoration and preservation of the buildings and property. His plans are to open it up to the public on a limited basis as his schedule allows. Spencer Station Website and Spencer Station on Facebook
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Avilla, MissouriAvilla is a rural village in Jasper County in western Missouri, between Spencer and Carthage. It is the fourth-oldest settlement in Jasper County, founded in 1856. When driving Route 66 through Avilla, be sure to check out the circa 1915 Post Office and Route 66 murals!
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Carthage, MissouriOne of the first concrete-paved portions of Missouri’s highway system was the stretch of road west of Carthage to Joplin, laid in 1920. In 1926, this route became part of Route 66. Along the route today travelers find Kellogg Lake, Powers Museum, Carthage Municipal Park, Stone’s Throw Dinner Theatre, 66 Drive-In and the 1939 Boots Court (photo below). Read about other attractions and things to do at the Visit Carthage Website |
66 Drive-In Theatre, Carthage, Missouri |
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Red Oak II, northeast of Carthage |
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Route 66 Mural Park - Joplin, MissouriShown here is the mural in downtown Joplin, Missouri at Pearl Brothers Hardware Store. This is only one of many murals painted throughout the downtown area. The Route 66 Mural Park in Joplin features two nostalgic murals and an oversized 45-record imprint of "Get Your Kicks on Route 66". The upper mural is called "Cruisin’ into Joplin", and showing a vintage Buick arriving in Joplin on Route 66 from the west. The lower mural is called "The American Ribbon", tracing the route of the Mother Road from Chicago to Los Angeles. Jutting out in three dimensions from the mural is a mock 1964 red Chevrolet Corvette. This is a favorite stop for Rouge 66 travelers in Missouri for photo-ops! The mural is located at 619 S. Main Street in Joplin. Read about other attractions and things to do at the Visit Joplin Website |
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Click to read more about Route 66 in Joplin |
Leaving Missouri, and Entering Kansas |
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We have included below a sampling of our collection of vintage travel postcards dealing with Missouri and Route 66. What was Route 66 like in its earlier years, as visitors drove around and across Missouri? What did all the service stations, motels and public buildings look like when they were new? What did the traveling public experience on the Mother Road? We wonder such things when we travel Route 66 today. Those earlier times in the 1930s, 40s and 50s were not always captured on film. But the use of colorful postcards was common in those decades. These portray the historic road in its prime and help us to visualize, and appreciate, "earlier times" as we drive Route 66 today across Missouri. |
Munger Moss Motel - Lebanon |
Little King's - Joplin |
Ranch Courtel - Mt. Vernon |
Bell Hotel - Waynesville |
Rock Village - Springfield |
Kel-Lake Motel - Carthage |
Bob Miller's - Joplin |
Union Bus Depot - Lebanon |
The Keystone Hotel- Joplin |
Nelson Tavern - Lebanon |
Diamonds Restaurant |
Koronado Kourts - Joplin |
Continuing West |
Need help and ideas when planning your road trip on Route 66? Here are travel guides and reviews by state...