How to Experience Route 66 in Missouri

The History of Route 66 in Missouri

When U.S. Route 66 was officially established on November 11, 1926, Missouri became one of the key states along its path, playing an essential role in the highway’s development, character, and legendary status. Missouri offered travelers a unique cross-section of America, bridging the rural heartland with the bustling Midwest.

The Early Years

In Missouri, Route 66 originally entered from Illinois across the Chain of Rocks Bridge near St. Louis, then curved southwest through towns like Cuba, Lebanon, Springfield, and Joplin, before crossing into Kansas. This path mainly followed existing roads and trails, often just two-lane dirt or gravel routes. Missouri was quick to upgrade its section, becoming one of the first states to fully pave its part of Route 66 by the mid-1930s.

Springfield, Missouri, holds a special place in Route 66 lore: it was here, at a meeting in 1926, that officials decided to propose the number “66” for the new Chicago-to-Los Angeles highway. Because of this, Springfield proudly calls itself the “Birthplace of Route 66.”

Growth and Prosperity

As automobile travel became increasingly popular in the 1930s and 1940s, Route 66 brought significant economic growth to Missouri. Small towns along the route blossomed with motels, gas stations, cafes, diners, and tourist courts, eager to serve the steady stream of travelers. Landmarks such as the Munger Moss Motel in Lebanon and Ted Drewes Frozen Custard in St. Louis became institutions that travelers still remember fondly today.

Missouri’s section of Route 66 was notable for its scenic beauty as well. Travelers could experience the rolling Ozark Hills, limestone bluffs, dense forests, and picturesque rivers. The Devil’s Elbow area near the Big Piney River became famous for its rugged beauty and challenging road curves.

The War Years and Beyond

During World War II, Route 66 served a new purpose. The highway became a critical military transport route, especially with the proximity of Fort Leonard Wood, a major military training base built near the route. This increased traffic brought further improvements and expansions to the road infrastructure.

In the postwar years, the 1950s and early 1960s saw Route 66 at its peak. Families packed up for vacations, businesses thrived, and neon signs lit up Missouri’s towns at night. Some attractions, like the Meramec Caverns, aggressively marketed themselves with billboards stretching across several states, luring travelers with promises of underground wonders.

The Interstate Era and Decline

However, the success of Route 66 also spelled its eventual decline. The Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956 launched the creation of the Interstate Highway System, with faster, more direct routes that bypassed many small towns. In Missouri, Interstate 44 gradually replaced large portions of Route 66 between St. Louis and Joplin.

By the 1970s, much of Missouri’s original Route 66 had been re-routed, decommissioned, or forgotten. The highway was officially removed from the U.S. Highway System in 1985, a move that saddened many who had grown up along its path.

Preservation and Revival

Despite its decommissioning, Route 66 never faded completely from Missouri’s landscape or memory. Enthusiasts, historians, and local communities worked hard to preserve landmarks, restore vintage signs, and celebrate the road’s history.

The Route 66 Association of Missouri, founded in the 1990s, became instrumental in promoting preservation efforts. Sections of the original road, historic bridges, motels, and diners have been restored. Missouri boasts some of the best-preserved stretches of historic Route 66, including segments of original Portland cement pavement and historic roadside attractions.

Festivals, museums (like the Route 66 Car Museum in Springfield and the Route 66 State Park near Eureka), and annual events such as Route 66 festivals in Lebanon and Cuba celebrate the road’s enduring spirit.

Today, travelers retracing Route 66 through Missouri can experience both the nostalgia of a bygone era and the vibrant communities that continue to honor its legacy.