Get Your Kicks on Missouri’s Route 66

Arrive in St. Louis, collect your rental car and settle into your hotel before beginning a gentle introduction to the Route 66 story. As the eastern gateway to Missouri’s stretch of the Mother Road, the city offers the perfect starting point to connect with the spirit of America’s most famous highway. Spend the evening exploring the historic downtown riverfront and surrounding streets, where early cross-country travellers once prepared for the long journey west. Enjoy dinner at leisure and rest ahead of a full day discovering St. Louis’ Route 66 legacy.

Today is dedicated to uncovering St. Louis’ deep connections to Route 66 and the golden age of American road travel. Begin with a visit to the Route 66 State Park area, where exhibits and preserved landscapes interpret the history of the highway as it crossed the Mississippi River and entered Missouri. Continue exploring surviving roadside architecture, vintage motels, classic diners, and historic neighbourhoods that once welcomed generations of westbound travellers.

In the afternoon, there is time to visit local museums or cultural sites that place Route 66 within the broader story of westward expansion and American mobility. This evening, make a memorable stop at the legendary Ted Drewes Frozen Custard, a beloved Route 66 institution, to sample its famous concrete custard before returning to your hotel to prepare for the journey west along the Mother Road tomorrow.

Depart St. Louis and begin your journey along historic Route 66 as urban scenery fades into rolling countryside and classic roadside Americana. En route, explore the spectacular Meramec Caverns, where guided tours reveal vast underground formations steeped in legend. Continue to Cuba—celebrated as “Route 66 Mural City”—to admire colourful outdoor murals depicting local history and the golden age of road travel, and to see the beautifully restored Wagon Wheel Motel, one of the oldest continuously operating motels on the Mother Road. Enjoy a relaxed evening and dinner in town.

Enjoy a leisurely morning soaking up Cuba’s small-town charm before continuing west along scenic stretches of Route 66. Arrive in Saint Robert with time to unwind and explore the town’s nostalgic roadside character. As dusk falls, take a stroll through the glowing Route 66 Neon Park, where restored vintage signs illuminate the evening and capture the timeless spirit of the highway. Dinner locally offers another taste of warm Midwestern hospitality.

Today’s drive carries you deeper into Missouri’s Route 66 heartland. Pause in Lebanon to visit the engaging Route 66 Museum, where exhibits celebrate the culture, communities, and travellers who shaped this legendary road. Continue to Springfield—recognised as the Birthplace of Route 66—and spend the afternoon discovering regional heritage at the History Museum on the Square, located where the highway was first proposed in 1926. Enjoy the lively downtown atmosphere this evening with dinner at leisure.

Travel west through classic Ozark scenery toward Carthage, pausing along the way for photos at the lovingly recreated vintage filling station Gary’s Gay Parita, one of the most iconic landmarks on Missouri’s Route 66. On arrival in Carthage, admire the beautifully preserved historic square and elegant architecture that reflect the town’s rich past. This evening, experience a true slice of Americana at the local drive-in theatre (seasonal), where watching a film beneath the stars provides an unforgettable Route 66 moment.

Depart Carthage this morning and make the short drive to nearby Joplin, where a visit to the vibrant Route 66 Mural Park offers a final opportunity to celebrate the history and culture of Missouri’s stretch of the Mother Road. After time to explore local cafés, shops, and historic streets, the next chapter of the journey is entirely up to you. Travellers may choose to continue west along Route 66, head north to experience the energy of Kansas City, return to the scenic beauty of the Ozarks, or venture south into Arkansas. Wherever the road leads next, onward travel will be fully customised by your Discover North America Travel Specialist to create a seamless and personalised continuation of your adventure.