Missouri is gearing up to celebrate the centennial of our nation’s most storied highway
From the Mississippi River shoreline of St. Louis to the state’s southwestern corner in Joplin, doses of roadside memorabilia and other nods to the heyday of automobile travel propel tourism along historic Route 66. A true slice of Americana, the fabled east-to-west artery turns 100 in 2026.
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In cooperation with the U.S. Route 66 Centennial Commission, Missouri and seven other states are planning projects and activities related to the big anniversary. Thanks to the magnetic appeal of Route 66 among domestic and international road trippers, 2026 looks to be a banner year for tourism in communities that line the famous road. Missouri claims about 300 miles of the “Mother Road,” a nickname coined in John Steinbeck’s classic 1939 novel “The Grapes of Wrath.”
Though superhighways had replaced most portions of the iconic road by the 1970s,museums, neon signs, cozy motels, and mom-and-pop cafes across Missouri continue to intrigue nostalgia-minded travelers. With many original landmarks having vanished over the years, surviving treasures are all the more special.
Stops at these attractions can complement any group tour, whether the itinerary theme is Route 66 or not. Segments of the original road are marked with “Historic By way” signs sporting the familiar 66 shield logo.
Reminders of days gone by in Missouri
On Missouri’s eastern border with Illinois, reminders of days gone by captivate passionate Mother Road fans traveling through St. Louis–the largest Route 66 city between Chicago and Los Angeles.
The newest Route 66 development in Missouri is Chain of Rocks Park at Old Chain of Rocks Bridge–a steel landmark spanning the Mississippi River–located on the northern edge of St. Louis. The attractive park opened in April 2024 with an event space, a pavilion, restrooms, plaza for food trucks and parking lot with spaces for cars and buses.
Built as a private toll bridge in 1929, the mile-long bridge passes through wooded Chouteau Island and is now used for pedestrians and bicyclists, serving as a link to various trails. It was designed with a30-degree bend in the middle–making it easier for boats to navigate the piers and castle-like water intake towers for the local pumping station. Besides, a straight line would have put the bridge over a section of the river where the bedrock was insufficient to support the weight of the piers.
The bridge started serving Route 66 travelers when the Mother Road was rerouted in 1936 and did so until 1965. In 1967, the New Chain of Rocks Bridge–that carries Interstate 270–opened just 2,000 feet upstream of the old bridge, which officially closed in 1968.
Other Route 66 Attractions in St. Louis and Beyond
A must-stop in St. Louis is Ted Drewes Frozen Custard. The Chippewa Street location on old Route 66 has been in business for more than 80 years. Ted’s signature milkshake has earned the name “concrete” because of its thickness–you can turn it upside down without spilling a drop. Try the Fox Treat, a concrete or sundae with hot fudge, raspberries and macadamia nuts, or All Shook Up, a blend of bananas and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. The lines on a summer night look daunting but they go pretty fast.
The spirit of Route 66 also shines at St. Louis’ National Museum of Transportation, which–in addition to acres of railroad equipment–displays classic cars and features a replica facade of the 1941 Art Deco-style Coral Court Motel, an area landmark that met the wrecking ball in 1995.
For a memorable meal, whether you’re craving Ozark poutine or smoked pork steak, make a beeline to Big Chief Roadhouse in Wildwood. Before your entrée, grab a cocktail from the second-floor speakeasy, accessible via a stairway disguised as a phone booth. The location, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, began serving Route 66 travelers in 1929.
In Eureka, west of St. Louis, Interstate 44 (the highway that primarily replaced Route 66 in Missouri) takes you to Route 66 State Park, situated along the Meramec River. Take exit 266 and it leads to the visitor center, a former 1935 roadhouse where museum exhibits tell the stories of the famed highway and Times Beach, a Route 66 community that occupied the riverfront from 1925 until the early 1980s. The gift shop has an extensive variety of souvenirs–from games, puzzles and books to videos, T-shirts, metal signs, mugs and magnets.
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Route 66 Caverns, a famous motel and more
Since the 1930s, motorists in Missouri have seen the name Meramec Caverns emblazoned on barns and billboards. An early fixture on Route 66, the quintessential show cave is located near Stanton, an hour or so outside of St. Louis.
The town of Cuba, famous for its outdoor murals reflecting local history, is home to the Wagon Wheel Motel, a restored tourist court that has hosted motorists in its stone cabins since the 1930s Outside of town, don’t miss the Route 66 Rocker, a giant rocking chair (the world’s second-largest) at the Fanning 66 Outpost & Feedstore.
Thirty-three miles of historic Route 66 run through St. Robert, Waynesville and other towns in Pulaski County. The Pulaski County Tourism Bureau offers an illustrated driving tour brochure with turn-by-turn directions to 50-plus stops–motels, cafes, gas stations and many other businesses that flourished during 66’s prime–and the bureau can also provide a step-on guide for bus groups. On the drive toward St. Robert, one scenic stop is Devil’s Elbow, a former resort community notable for its 200-foot limestone bluffs and 1923 steel truss bridge over the Big Piney River.
St. Robert is home to Uranus Fudge Factory & General Store, a wacky retail/amusement complex. Though Uranus was conceived long after the glory days of Route 66, its kitschy style reflects earlier times when quirky road side attractions lured motorists to pull over and explore. The store’s signature item is fudge, dished out in 15 delicious flavors.
With plenty of room for bus parking, Uranus makes a good comfort stop for groups traveling between St. Louis and Branson. For visits arranged in advance, the group’s host and driver receive a free coffee or soft drink, plus a T-shirt and a half-pound of fudge.
The nearby Route 66 Diner, though not original to old Route 66, salutes the spirit of the famed highway. Clad in shiny aluminum with a glass-block entrance, it serves comfort food favorites like meatloaf in molasses sauce and an open-face roast beef sandwich on Texas toast with mashed potatoes and gravy. Oldies music from the jukebox, along with pictures of Marilyn Monroe, James Dean and Elvis Presley, evoke memories of life in the ’50s.
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Just in time for the centennial, Pulaski County has been working on an exciting venture. The St. Robert Route 66 Neon Park, an open-air museum that will feature 15 retro signs, is set for completion this fall or next spring. Each installation will feature a storyboard and historical photo. Positioned among oak trees in an existing roadside park, the vintage neon artifacts will be lit at night.
Down the road in Waynesville, the 8-foot-tall Route 66 shield is the perfect selfie spot. Hoppers Pub, across the street, is decorated with the road way’s memorabilia and other antiques. The restaurant offers 66 beer son tap, and a buffet lunch and speaker can be arranged for the group.
Continuing southwest on I-44 to Lebanon, Route 66 travelers will find the Munger Moss Motel with its classic neon sign and personalized rooms that showcase the highway’s history. In addition, the city’s library houses the free-admission Route 66 Museum with exhibits on the area’s ties to the famous route.
Heading southwest, the trail’s next stop is Springfield, the Show-Me State’s third-largest city. It is considered the birthplace of Route 66 because Missouri and Oklahoma highway executives met there in 1926 and sent federal officials a telegram, proposing the new road be called U.S. Highway 66. The designation was approved several months later.
Springfield is packed with Route 66 landmarks, including the historic Gillioz Theatre, Route 66 Car Museum, several vintage motels and a Steak ‘n Shake that has been serving hungry travelers since 1962. Engaging, permanent displays and artifacts on view at History Museum on the Square tell the story of Route 66. Leading up to the centennial, it will mount a rotating series of new, temporary exhibits on the roadway. The annual Birthplace of Route 66 Festival provides a true dose of nostalgia, from the car show featuring classic cars and hot rods to the authors, artists and collectors striking up conversations in the exhibit hall.
A popular stop continuing west is Gary’s Gay Parita in Ash Grove, a re-creation of a 1930’s Sinclair gas station. The community of Carthage has a number of highlights–Red Oak II, an art installation modeled after the original town of Red Oak that faded into obscurity, the historic Boots Court motel and the 66 Drive-In Theatre.
In Joplin, Mother Road enthusiasts flock to the Route 66 Mural Park. Located on Main Street, the murals have been part of downtown Joplin since 2013. Two large tile murals–“Cruisin’ Into Joplin” and “The American Ribbon”–and a mock 1964 red Corvette provide the perfect spot for a group photo.
To celebrate the Route 66 Centennial, Visit Joplin and the Netherlands-based World Street Painting Foundation have partnered to create a collection of Route 66-themed 3D street paintings by world-renowned street painting artists. The Route 66 World Street Painting Festival kicked off in June 2024 with three domestic artists who created works that can be viewed at the Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex. Ten artists will add to the Joplin canvas in 2025, building momentum for a five-day, June 2026 event in which 20 international artists will paint their visions of the Mother Road. In all, 33 paintings will be on view for months after their execution.
The 3D street paintings will captivate visitors and place them “in the painting.” The unique art style creates an optical illusion, resulting in a three-dimensional image that appears to pop right out of the pavement–works are best viewed by standing atop the footprints below each painting. Viewers are encouraged to photograph themselves in the artwork, creating an immersive experience.
With over 300 miles to explore, there’s no shortage of excitement for groups along Missouri’s portion of Route 66. Travel down the road and see why this globally famous highway continues to inspire visitors–even well past its heyday.
By Randy Mink, Senior Editor
Lead photo – Waynesville, Missouri cherishes its Route 66 lore. (Randy Mink Photo)
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