These 7 Road Trips In Missouri Will Lead You To Places You'll Never Forget
By Beth Price-Williams|Published January 02, 2024
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Beth Price-Williams
Author
A professional writer for more than two decades, Beth has lived in nearly a dozen states – from Missouri and Virginia to Connecticut and Vermont – and Toronto, Canada. In addition to traveling extensively in the U.S. and the U.K., she has a BA in Journalism from Point Park University (PA), a MA in Holocaust & Genocide Studies from Stockton University (NJ), and a Master of Professional Writing from Chatham University (PA). A writer and editor for Only In Your State since 2016, Beth grew up in and currently lives outside of Pittsburgh and when she’s not writing or hanging out with her bunnies, budgies, and chinchilla, she and her daughter are out chasing waterfalls.
Quick. What are a traveler’s two favorite words? Road trip! Well, think about it. Is there anything better than packing the car, filling the tank, and driving along scenic country roads and busy state highways on a journey that promises adventures we probably don’t even imagine when we set off? We’re lucky, too, to live in a state like Missouri where the possibilities for road trips are endless. Where will the road lead you next? Maybe on one of these unforgettable road trips in Missouri?
While just four covered bridges remain in Missouri, you’ll need enough time to travel 334 miles to see them all. Why not turn that drive into a road trip that will take you back to a simpler time? Travel to Locust Creek Covered Bridge in Laclede, Union Covered Bridge in Paris, Sandy Creek Covered Bridge in Hillsboro, and Bufordville Covered Bridge in Burfordville. This is one road trip on which you don’t want to forget your camera.
Fall in love with Missouri for the first time or all over again on this road trip that takes you to some of the state’s most beautiful scenery. The nearly 300-mile road trip leads to some of the most awe-inspiring natural wonders in Missouri. Go underground at Bonne Terre Mine; marvel at the 1.5-billion-year-old carved rocks at Elephant Rocks State Park; and dip your feet in the cool pool into which Rocky Falls tumbles. Drive time is just over six hours.
One of the best selling points of a road trip? They don’t have to break the bank. If you’re strapped for cash, the most affordable road trip in Missouri won’t cost you more than $100 (depending on the current prices). But that’s not the best part. It will take you to some of Missouri’s top spots, including the Saint Louis Zoo, Meramec State Park, and the St. Louis Wheel.
Bright lights, big city certainly has its lure. However, sometimes we want to get away from it all, and that’s just what this rural road trip through Missouri allows us to do. The multi-day road trip tallies around 400 miles and will take you to such adorable towns as Chillicothe, Louisiana, Mexico, and Richmond.
Remember how the thought of dinosaurs used to kick-start your imagination as a kid? Maybe it still does. Indulge in childhood magic by piling the whole family in the car for a journey on this dinosaur-themed road trip in Missouri. Your magical adventure will take you to the Dinosaur Museum, the Discover Center of Springfield, and Rocky’s Retreat.
Journey to some of the destinations that define our state on this road trip to epic landmarks in Missouri. This is just a taste of some of the best that Missouri has to offer. Travel to the top of the Gateway Arch; visit Mark Twain’s Boyhood Home, and go underground at Meramec Caverns.
Hit the most famous road in America – Route 66 – and see what it’s all about. You won’t leave Missouri on this road trip, but you will visit some of the darling Route 66 towns in Missouri. Drive along the historic road, stopping in such towns as Cuba, Lebanon, Carthage, and Joplin.
What are your favorite unforgettable road trips in Missouri? Let us know in the comments! For even more road-tripping fun, follow the natural wonders road trip in Missouri. Before hitting the highway, though, make sure you have everything you need. Check out our ultimate road trip packing list.
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