Road trip across Missouri on Route 66, with stopovers at major attractions



U.S. Route 66 from Lebanon to Joplin,Missouri

"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.

Greetings from scenic Missouri on Route 66

Vintage Missouri Highway Fold Out Map from Phillips 66 Petroleum
Historic U.S. Route 66 Byway in Missouri
Historic U.S. Route 66 Byway in Missouri
Earlier times on Route 66 in Missouri, between Rolla and Waynesville, crossing the Big Piney River

 

Approximate location of Historic Route 66 from Lebanon to Joplin, Missouri
Map showing the approximate location of Historic Route 66 from Lebanon to Joplin, Missouri


 

Highlights of a Route 66 road trip 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.

Lebanon, Missouri

The Route 66 Museum located in the Laclede County Library in Lebanon, Missouri. The museum features a large-scale display of an old gas station as well as displays of vintage motel rooms and diners.

It also features a large display of Route 66 maps and collectibles. Admission is free to the museum, located at 915 S. Jefferson Avenue.
Route 66 Museum in Lebanon

Exterior view of the Route 66 Museum and Library in Lebanon, Missouri Exhibit area at the Route 66 Museum and Library in Lebanon, Missouri
Sign at the famous Munger Moss Motel in Lebanon
Directional sign at the Munger Moss Motel in Lebanon, Missouri
Neon at night at the Munger Moss Motel in Lebanon
Neon sign at the Munger Moss Motel in Lebanon, Missouri
Route 66 mural with a 1957 Chevrolet, in Lebanon, Missouri ... "Drive our town"
Route 66 mural with a 1957 Chevrolet, in Lebanon, Missouri ... "Drive our town"
Laclede County Missouri ... surrounding Lebanon
Laclede County Missouri ... surrounding Lebanon on Historic Route 66
Visit Lebanon, Missouri on Historic U.S. Route 66
Click to read more about
Route 66 in Lebanon

 

Route 66 Welcome Center at the Conway Rest Area Westbound on I-44

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

Missouri I-44 westbound Conway Rest Area and Route 66 Welcome Center Neon sign at the Missouri I-44 westbound Conway Rest Area and Route 66 Welcome Center Playground area at the Missouri I-44 westbound Conway Rest Area and Route 66 Welcome Center
Refreshment area at the Missouri I-44 westbound Conway Rest Area and Route 66 Welcome Center Interior display at the Missouri I-44 westbound Conway Rest Area and Route 66 Welcome Center Route 66 wall map at the Missouri I-44 westbound Conway Rest Area and Route 66 Welcome Center

 

Springfield, Missouri

Springfield, Missouri, Route 66 Visitor Center, at 815 E. St. Louis Street
Route 66 Visitor Center in Springfield

Springfield, Missouri, Route 66 Visitor Center

"66" Hubcap Sculpture in Springfield, Missouri
"66" Hubcap Sculpture in Springfield, Missouri

Greeting from Springfield, Missouri mural
Visit Springfield, Missouri on Historic U.S. Route 66
Click to read more about
Route 66 in Springfield


Museum on the Square in Springfield, Missouri ... Route 66 Exhibit

Museum on the Square in Springfield 

With 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.

Exhibit at the History Museum on the Square in Springfield

Gay Parita Sinclair Filling Station

The 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

Gay Parita Sinclair Filling Station near Halltown, Missouri, 25 miles west of Springfield


Spencer, Missouri Phillips 66 Service Station

The 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

Spencer, Missouri Phillips 66 Service Station ... on an original alignment of Route 66

Avilla, Missouri

Avilla 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!

The U.S. Post Office in Avilla, Missouri

Route 66 mural in Avilla, Missouri

Another mural in Avilla ... 66 Farm & Auto Hardware Store
Another mural in Avilla ... Route 66 ... Farm & Auto
Lottie's Soda Shoppe & General Store in Avilla
Another mural in Avilla ... Route 66 ...Lottie's Soda Shoppe & General Store

 

Carthage, Missouri

One 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

Neon burning brightly at night, at the Historic Boots Court, Route 66 Carthage, Missouri

66 Drive-In Theatre, Carthage, Missouri
66 Drive-In Theatre, Carthage, Missouri Neon sign at the 66 Drive-In Theater, Carthage, Missouri

Red Oak II, northeast of Carthage

Red Oak II, northeast of Carthage, Missouri Phillips 66 Service Station, Red Oak II, northeast of Carthage, Missouri
Visit Carthage, Missouri on Historic U.S. Route 66
Click to read more about
Route 66 in Carthage

Route 66 Mural Park - Joplin, Missouri

Shown 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

Route 66 Mural Park in downtown Joplin, Missour Route 66 Mural Park in downtown Joplin, Missour
Joplin, Missouri mural at Pearl Brothers


Visit Joplin Missouri on Historic U.S. Route 66
Click to read more about
Route 66 in Joplin

 

Leaving Missouri, and Entering Kansas

State line on Route 66 between Missouri and Kansas

 

Lodging Options Along Route 66 in Missouri

TripAdvisor

St. Louis, Missouri

Rolla, Missouri

Lebanon, Missouri

Springfield, Missouri

Joplin, Missouri

 

MORE MISSOURI ROUTE 66

Route 66 road trips in Missouri ... click for details!

Route 66 road trip to St. Louis, Missouri Route 66 road trip to Lebanon, Missouri Route 66 road trip to Springfield, Missouri
Route 66 road trip to Carthage, Missouri Route 66 road trip to Cuba, Missouri Route 66 road trip to Joplin, Missouri
Route 66 Road Trip to Sullivan, Missouri Route 66 road trip to Rolla, Missouri Route 66 Road Trip to Webb City, Missouri

 

Earlier Times: Vintage Views along Route 66 in Missouri

Earlier times on Route 66 in Missouri: South Winds Motor Court in Springfield, Missouri

 

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
Munger Moss Motel in Lebanon, Missouri
Little King's - Joplin
Little King's Hotel Court, U.S. Highway 66, Joplin, MIssouri
Ranch Courtel - Mt. Vernon
The Ranch Courtel, Mt. Vernon, Missouri
Bell Hotel - Waynesville
Bell Hotel, Waynesville, Missouri, on U.S. Highway 66
Rock Village - Springfield
Rock Village Court, Highway 66, Springfield, Missouri
Kel-Lake Motel - Carthage
Kel-Lake Motel in Carthage, Missouri
Bob Miller's - Joplin
Bob Miller's Restaurant, 419 Main Street, Joplin, Missouri
Union Bus Depot - Lebanon
Union Bus Depot in Lebanon, Missouri
The Keystone Hotel- Joplin
The Keystone Hotel in Joplin, MIssouri
Nelson Tavern - Lebanon
Nelson Tavern in Lebanon, Missouri
Diamonds Restaurant
The Diamonds Restaurant, World's Largest Roadside Restaurant, Villa Ridge, Missouri
Koronado Kourts - Joplin
Koronado Hotel Kourts, Joplin, Missouri

Continuing West
on the Next Route 66 Segment?

Across Kansas

Route 66 Road Trip across Kansas

Road Trip Travel Guides for Various States Along Route 66

Need help and ideas when planning your road trip on Route 66? Here are travel guides and reviews by state...

Route 66 in Missouri Route 66 in Texas Route 66 Across Arizona Route 66 Across New Mexico
Route 66 Road Trips Across Oklahoma Route 66 Road Trips in Illinois Route 66 Across California Route 66 in Kansas