6 Most Scenic Drives In Missouri

Missouri offers many superb scenic drives that are ideal for road trippers. It’s where the seemingly endless Great Plains give way to majestic mountains, with two of America’s mightiest rivers helping shape its Midwest landscape. It’s also where crude cattle trails helped fuel westward expansion, the last crucial stop for settlers before they crossed the frontier into lands unknown. Paved roads like Route 66 later took their turn to carry folks westward, not just to start new lives, but for sightseeing and adventure. Read on to find out why Missouri is still so popular among American road trippers.

Historic Route 66

Although only a fraction of Route 66’s 2,448 miles passes through Missouri, the 290 miles or so from St. Louis to Carthage comprise one of the best sections of this iconic highway. The four-hour journey begins in St. Louis at the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge, a mile-long span over the Mississippi River that served Route 66 travelers from 1929 until 1967. Now closed to vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists can enjoy excellent views of the Mississippi. Ted Drewes Frozen Custard on Chippewa Street, a business that has been serving up sweet treats on Route 66 since 1929, is a must.

Heading southwest, you’ll pass through several small communities before reaching Meramec Caverns near Stanton. One of America’s first major roadside attractions, when it opened in 1933, its mile-long underground tours feature underground lakes, dramatic stalactites and stalagmites, and a vast natural ballroom where cars once parked.

Further west, the quirky town of Cuba is home to the World's Second Largest Rocking Chair, standing 42-foot tall and known locally as the Red Rocker. Several murals around town depict Route 66 scenes, while the Wagon Wheel Motel has been around since since 1934, making it the oldest continuously operating motel on the entire route.

Springfield, the halfway mark, is considered the Birthplace of Route 66. It was here in 1926 officials sent a telegram requesting that the new highway be designated Route 66, not 62 as it was originally to be known. The History Museum on the Square explores this legacy through interactive exhibits, while the Route 66 Car Museum spotlights a century of automotive history, including vehicles from Hollywood movies.

The drive westward continues from Springfield's Park Central Square, where Route 66 originally passed through, to Paris Springs Junction. Here, you’ll find a replica of the 1930s Gay Parita Sinclair gas station, and still a must-stop for Route 66 enthusiasts. The drive concludes in Carthage, a pretty little town where you can stay in the restored Boots Court Motel, established in 1939 and once a favorite of the celebrity Clark Gable.

When To Go: April to May and September to October are mild and less crowded, while summer means attractions like the 66 Drive-In Theatre in Carthage and outdoor activities at Meramec Caverns are open. Winter driving is generally safe along the I-44 corridor, though some smaller attractions may be closed.

Great River Road - Northern Section

The northern section of Missouri's Great River Road follows Highway 79 along the Mississippi's western bank through several old towns that have changed little since the steamboat era. This 55-mile, 90-minute trip starts in Hannibal, with its downtown district still recognizable to Mark Twain. The Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum will tell you everything you need to know about the iconic writer and Hannibal’s history.

Ten miles from Hannibal and you’re at Lock and Dam No. 22 near Saverton. Check out the observation platform where you can watch barges navigate the river and the lock. Further south, the highway passes through the small town of Louisiana with its pretty main street lined with 19th-century brick commercial buildings.

Between Louisiana and Clarksville, the end of your drive, the road climbs sharply and follows bluffs some 400 feet above the river. Tiny Clarksville itself occupies a narrow strip between the bluffs and the river, its streets home to antique shops and the Clarksville Visitor Center, with its eagle-viewing area.

When To Go: Winter sees hundreds of bald eagles visit the river corridor, with Clarksville serving as a prime viewing spot. Fall color peaks mid- to late October, and summer offers fun river recreation.

Ozark Mountain Highroad

A short distance north of Branson's popular theatre district, the Ozark Mountains reveal their true character along the short (but scenic) Ozark Mountain Highroad. Following Highway 76 for just over seven miles northwest of Branson, this designated Missouri State Scenic Byway packs plenty into its short distance. Climbing nearly 1,000 feet through forested Ozark terrain on a winding four-lane divided highway, it’s a delightful escape from Branson's commercial corridors.

Turkey and white-tailed deer are common sights, particularly during early morning and evening hours. The steep grades and sweeping curves have also made the route popular with motorcyclists seeking a brief but rewarding ride through mountain scenery. At the western end, you can opt to continue to Silver Dollar City, the region's major theme park, or loop back toward Table Rock Lake and its dam.

When To Go: Spring brings wildflowers and fresh green foliage to the hardwood forests, while fall colors peak mid- to late October. Summer means increased traffic from Branson, so don’t expect a crowd-free drive.

Glade Top Trail

The Glade Top Trail, Missouri's only National Forest Scenic Byway, is a 23-mile gravel road through the Mark Twain National Forest. You’ll travel Forest Roads 147 and 149, both constructed in the late 1930s and largely unchanged. Though you can do it in 90 minutes, don’t. Its seven designated overlook pull-offs are worth stopping at, so slow down and admire the views.

Named after the glades that characterize this landscape (Missouri has the greatest diversity of glades in the United States), the route passes through several open rocky areas that support plant communities found nowhere else in such abundance. From spring through fall, wildflowers carpet these clearings with color: purple coneflower, Missouri evening primrose, yellow coneflower, and dozens of other species all play a part.

Wildlife is also abundant, with white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and various songbirds being common sights. Stretch the adventure further with a lunch stop at the Caney Picnic Area, roughly midway along the trail and featuring plenty of shade.

When To Go: Fall, from mid-October through early November, attracts the crowds, with the hardwood forests surrounding the glades transforming into a tapestry of reds, oranges, and golds. Spring wildflower season (April through June) is equally rewarding, with successive waves of blooms to enjoy.

Lake Of The Ozarks Loop

While not an official scenic byway, it’s impossible to write about Missouri’s best drives without including Lake of the Ozarks. Starting in Camdenton, follow Highway 54, then turn onto North Shore Drive to Versailles before following the lake’s west shore on Highway 5, looping back to your start point. It’s a pleasant journey of around 90 miles that can be done in around two hours without stops.

The North Shore Drive segment provides some of the route's best vistas, with the road rising and falling along wooded bluffs that drop to the waterline. Versailles, the seat of Morgan County, boasts a pleasant courthouse square and is a welcome break at the circuit's midpoint. The return journey on Highway 5 passes through the small communities of Gravois Mills and Laurie, both offering lake access.

A worthwhile detour leads to Ha Ha Tonka State Park, accessible via Highway 54 and Road D south of Camdenton. Unique limestone features include sinkholes, natural bridges, and dramatic bluff formations, as well as the ruins of a never-finished stone castle from 1905 that overlooks the lake

When To Go: Spring and fall are comfortable with mild temperatures and less traffic. Summer sees the lake at its busiest, especially on weekends and holidays.

Crowley's Ridge Parkway - Missouri Section

A narrow strip of highlands running 200 miles from southern Missouri into Arkansas, Crowley's Ridge rises impressively from the flat Mississippi Delta and was formed by wind-blown loess deposits (aka, silt) that accumulated over millennia. Missouri's section of the 212 miles of Crowley's Ridge Parkway begins in Advance, a small town at the ridge's northern terminus, where the terrain first begins to rise from the delta floor.

From here, head south on Highway 25 into a dense forest ecosystem that’s more typical of Appalachia than the Great Plains. Tulip poplars, beech trees, and other eastern hardwoods grow here, stranded on this highland remnant since the last ice age. The contrast with the flat farmland visible to either side creates an almost surreal effect.

Dexter’s downtown is worth a wander for its historic buildings, as is Bloomfield, the seat of Stoddard County. And if you want to see more of Crowley's Ridge, just carry on driving; it continues for another 150 miles through Arkansas.

When To Go: Spring sees dogwood and redbud blooms in the ridge forests, while fall is all about the colorful foliage, which peaks in late October or early November. Winter driving is generally safe as this southern region receives little snow.

Missouri’s Most Scenic Drives

As you can see from these six drives, Missouri's appeal as a road trip destination is broad. From the All-American Route 66 to the unexpected vistas of Crowley's Ridge, each route offers a distinct experience. And thanks to the state's central Midwest location, these scenic byways are accessible from nearly anywhere in the country.