The New Route 66: Missouri Edition

As you get close to the Mississippi River you will see the Arch. It has been one of my favorite sights since I first saw it as a kid. I still get excited everytime I drive through St. Louis and see the gateway to the west. It is a must do if you have not been to the top or stood next to it and admired the welded seams of this stainless-steel looking wonder.

Exit 40B I-44 West Tulsa

I-70 W/Memorial Dr

Exit 290C South 7th St

Unless you know where you are going I would skip this exit.

Exit 290B I-55 S Memphis

This will take you south to Memphis. Stay in the right lanes to keep going towards Tulsa on I-44

Exit 290A MO-30/12th St/Gravois Ave

There are no services quickly available off of this exit.

Exit 289 S Jefferson Ave

There are a couple of options for gas at this exit including a Quiktrip. I would hold off unless absolutely necessary. There are much better suburban options coming up. This is not the best neighborhood and it is not a quick on and off the interstate.

Exit 288 Grand Blvd

Nothing immediately available off of this exit

Exit 287 Vandeventer Ave/Kingshighway Blvd

No quick food or gas at this exit.

Exit 286 Hampton Ave

This is the area known in St. Louis as the “The Hill” it is also called Italy hill and is full of great Italian restaurants. 

The St Louis Zoo is one of the largest zoos in the country and is just a mile and a half north of I-44 on Hampton Ave.

There is an Imo’s Pizza north on Hampton Ave as well. It is one of my favorite pizza places of all time.

Exit 285 Southwest Ave

Nothing to quickly access off of this exit.

Exit 284 Arsenal St

Nothing I would stop for at this exit.

Exit 283 Shrewsbury Ave

There are no quick services to access at this exit

Exit 280 Elm Ave

No immediate services at this exit

Exit 279 Berry Rd

No fuel or food at this exit

Exit 278 Big Bend Rd

You can access a lot from this exit, but it is easier at the Lindbergh exit.

Exit 277 US-61/US67 Lindbergh Blvd

There is a lot at this exit as far as food,fuel, and shopping go. There is a Walmart not far off the exit if you're looking to stock up at non convenience store pricing. There is also a Bass Pro shop to the south of the exit.

Exit 276 I-270 Chicago/Memphis

This will take you back to I-55 South or North

Exit 275 N Highway Dr/Soccer Park Rd

There is nothing immediately off of this exit

Exit 274 Bowles Ave

There are some restaurants and pretty good hotels at this exit.

Exit 272 MO-141/Fenton/Valley Park

Good fuel and food options at this exit, but it is fairly time consuming.

Exit 269 Antire Rd/Beaumont

Nothing at this exit nearby.

Exit 266 Lewis Rd

There is a Route 66 State Park Visitors Center off of this exit. That is the only thing that is remotely interesting at this exit.

Exit 264 MO-109/ Eureka/Wildwood

This exit has a lot although it is not a quick stop in any way. The Quiktrip is really faster if you are eastbound. There are a lot of restaurants and a grocery store. This is close to Six Flags St Louis so it is a very tourist friendly area.

Exit 261 Six Flags Rd

Use this exit if you are going to Six Flags. It is not a great exit if you are trying to make good time across Missouri.

Exit 257 I-44 Business Pacific

This is your not ready for prime time stop for Six Flags. There are restaurants and hotels without the immediate access to the amusement park.

Exit 253 I-44 Business/MO-100 Gray Summit

There is a gas station and a pizza place on the south side of the exit.

Exit 251 MO-100 Washington

There is a gas station and fast food restaurant off this exit. It is not a short distance to get off and back on the interstate. There is also an Amtrak station at this exit.

Exit 247 US-50 W/Union/Jefferson City

No services directly off of this exit.

Exit 242 Missouri AH

Nothing to be seen here.

Exit 240 MO-47/Union/St. Clair

There are restaurants,hotels, and gas stations at this exit. You will have to venture well off the interstate to reach any of them, so this exit would be a pass for me.

Exit 239 MO-30 

St. Clair  has several food options; they are all well off the beaten path.

Rest Area

This is a left side exit. It is a nice rest stop with indoor bathrooms.

Exit 230 MO JJ/MO W/Stanton

There is nothing easily accessible at this exit.

Exit 226 MO-185 S/Sullivan

This is one of my favorite exits when passing through Missouri.  There is an Imo’s Pizza on the east side of the interstate with a Walmart right behind it. There are quite a few other restaurants and several fueling options as well. I have never found Sullivan to be very busy and pretty easy to navigate back on the interstate.

Exit 225 MO-185 N

There is more of Sullivan to explore at this exit if you haven’t found an eatery that suits your taste.

Exit 218 Missouri N/Missouri C/Missouri J/Bourbon

There are restaurants at this exit, but they require some navigation that I am not fond of.

Exit 214 Missouri H/Leasburg

Nothing easy to get to at this exit

Exit 210 Missouri UU

This is in Cuba city limits, but there's not much here.

Exit 208 MO-19/Cuba/Owensville

Restaurants, fuel, hotels, and even a Walmart at this exit.

Exit 203 Missouri F/Missouri ZZ

Nothing close by off this exit.

Exit 195 MO-68/MO-8/St James

You will see the St James Winery and Brewery on the right hand side before the exit. There is a lot of attractions and restaurants at this exit.

Exit 189 Hy Point Ind Park Dr/Missouri V

There is a Quiktrip and Love’s Travel stop at this exit that are a pretty quick off and back on the interstate since they are on the right side of the road.

Exit 186 I-44 Business/US-63/MO-72/Rolla/Jefferson City

There is a lot of food choices at this exit when you get on the old Route 66 through Rolla. This is the best exit to take in Rolla. All of the exits in Rolla will take you off the trail for an extended stop.

Exit 185 Missouri E/Rolla

This exit is for the University of Central Missouri primarily.

Exit 184 44 Business/Missouri 42/Rolla/Salem

There is another slew of restaurants and shopping off the beaten path at this exit.

Exit 179 Missouri T/Missouri C/Doolittle/Newburg

There is fuel at this exit, but a pass for convenience and time's sake.

Parking Area

There are restrooms at this little exit

Exit 176 Sugar Tree Rd

There are no services off this exit

Exit 172 Missouri D/Jerome/Dixon

No immediate Services off this Exit.

Exit 169 Missouri J

Nothing here, keep on trucking.

Exit 163 MO-28 Dixon

If there is a landmark you won’t forget driving through Missouri it is at this exit. Uranus Fudge Factory and the Uranus Axe-Hole are seen off the highway. Proceed at your own risk. There is also a truck stop and some restaurants in Uranus.

Exit 161 Missouri Y/Ft Leonard Wood/St. Robert

A lot of hotels and restaurants that surround the exit for Ft Leonard Wood. 

Exit 159 I-44 Business Loop Waynesville

More hotels and restaurants that are going to take a substantial investment of time to access.

Exit 156 I-44 Loop/Missouri H/Waynesville/Fort Leonard Wood

There are more hotels and restaurants that are well off the interstate at this exit.

Exit 153 MO-17 Buckhorn

If you need lingerie or a tattoo this might be a good stop otherwise I would keep going.

Exit 150 Missouri P/MO-7/Richland/Laquey

Keep going there is nothing at this exit.

Exit 145 AB/MO-133 Richland

You are halfway through Missouri. There are a couple of truck stops and a convenience store at this exit.

Exit 140 N/T/Stoutland

This exit has few services 

Exit 135 Sleeper

No Services at this exit

Exit 130 I-44 Business/Lebanon

Lebanon has some restaurants and gas stations that are not the fastest stopping place through Missouri

Exit 129 Jefferson Ave/MO-32/MO-5/MO-64/Hartville

This exit is your best bet for food and fuel in Lebanon. There are a lot of restaurants at this exit. There is also a Walmart at this exit as well.

Exit 127 I-44 Business/Elm St/Morgan Rd

There are a couple of restaurants and a Holiday Inn Express at this exit.

Exit 123 County Road

There is nothing to see at this exit.

Exit 118 Missouri C/Missouri A/Phillipsburg

Redmon’s Candy Factory is at this exit. No other services immediately available.

Exit 113 Missouri J/Missouri Y/ Conway

This exit features a gas station that would make a pretty efficient stop and refuel mission.

Welcome Center/Rest Area

This is a good bathroom stop and possibly pick up a free cup of coffee.

Exit 107 Sampson Rd/Sparkle Brook Rd

No Immediate services at this exit.

Exit 103 Missouri CC/Marshall Rd

Nothing immediately off this exit. Wait for the next exit if you must stop

Exit 100 MO-38 W/Marshfield

Marshfield has several restaurants,service stations, and hotels. Unfortunately they are well off the highway making for an extended stop.

Exit 96 Missouri B/Northview

There are no services at this exit

Exit 88 MO-125/Strafford/Fair Grove

There is a truck stop and some fast food choices, but they are a bit off the beaten path.

Exit 84 MO-744/Mulroy Rd/Beaver Rd

There is a Buc-ee’s at this stop. It is the only one on The New Route 66. They are pretty impressive for a convenience store so if you have never been to one this is your chance. The food is actually pretty good.

Exit 82B US-65 North Sedalia

No services at this exit

Exit 82A US-65 Branson

Take this exit if you are going to Branson

Exit 80 Missouri H/Glenstone Ave/Pleasant Hope

If you want to explore Springfield this is a good exit to start at. There are numerous restaurants and hotels that can be accessed off of this exit. Most of the business is south of the interstate.

Exit 77 MO-13/Kansas Expressway/Bolivar

See the rest of Springfield from this exit. The original Bass Pro Shop is located in here in Springfield.

This exit has a plethora of restaurant and hotel choices.

Exit 75 US-160/Willard/West Bypass

Not as many choices as the last two exits, but there are some restaurants and hotels.

Exit 72 44 Business/ MO-266/Chestnut Expressway

There is a truckstop at this exit with not many other options.

Exit 70 Missouri MM/ Missouri B

Unless you need fireworks, keep on trucking.

Exit 69 MO 360 to MO 60/James River Fwy

No services at this exit.

Exit 67 Missouri N/Missouri T/Bois D’Arc/Republic

Nothing of interest at this exit

Exit 61 Missouri K/Missouri PP

A couple of service stations on the eastbound side.

Exit 58 Missouri Z/ Missouri O/Halltown

There are no immediate services off of this exit.

Exit 57 MO-96 Avilla

Keep going.

Truck Parking

Just a truck park as the English would say. There are restrooms if you really need one.

Exit 49  MO-174/Chesapeake/Mt. Vernon

There are no services at this exit.

Exit 46 I-44  Business/MO-39/MO265

Mount Vernon has some restaurants and a Walmart on 44 Business if you want to take a little detour through town.

Exit 44 Missouri H/I-44 Business/Monett/Mt. Vernon

If you meant to go to Mount Vernon and missed it you can go back here. 

Exit 38 MO-97/Pierce City/Stotts City

No perks to stopping at this exit.

Exit 33 County Road 1010

There is nothing at this exit except a county road.

Exit 29 44 Business/Sarcoxie/La Russell/Missouri U

There are a couple of truck stops on the eastbound side of the interstate if you really need to stop.

Exit 26 MO-37 Reeds

No services at this exit.

Exit 22 County Rd No 100

There are no immediate services at this exit.

Exit 18B I-49 N/US-71 N/Carthage/Kansas City

This exit will put you on the road to Kansas City and Carthage.

This is a highway interchange with no services immediately available.

Exit 18A MO-59 S Diamond

No immediate services at this exit

Exit 15 i-44 Business/MO-66/Duenweg/Joplin

The exit will take you into Duenweg. Unless you urgently need something I would hold off for a better Joplin exit coming up quickly.

Exit 13 Prigmor Ave

A truck stop is available at this exit with some maneuvering. It is primarily an industrial exit.

Exit 11 MO-249/I-49 S/US-71/Neosho/Fort Smith

All services except a single truck stop are well off the interstate. 

Exit 8 US-71 Business N/Range Line Rd

There are no exits in Joplin that will get you off and back on the interstate quickly. That being said this is probably the exit with the most choices for food. There are a lot of really cool restaurants in Joplin if you take the time to explore the city.

Exit 6 MO-86/MO-43 N/Joplin/Racine

More restaurants and you can backtrack to see the city of Joplin

Exit 4 MO-43 S/Seneca

You are pretty much out of Joplin proper. There is a Love’s Travel stop that is conveniently located on the westbound side. I have used this exit myself a lot over the years.

Truck Park

There are restrooms available at this exit

Exit 1 US-166/US-400 W/Downstream Blvd/Baxter Springs

The Downstream Convenience store is just north of this exit. The last time I was there the gas prices were pretty cheap compared to other places nearby since it is on Indian land.

The Downstream Casino can also be accessed at this exit.

We made it through Missouri and now on to Oklahoma!

Welcome to Oklahoma