How Many Days for Missouri?
Missouri's 317-mile stretch of Route 66 runs from the Chain of Rocks Bridge on the Mississippi River to the Kansas border at Joplin. You can technically drive it in one long day, but you'd miss nearly everything that makes it special. Here's how to plan your time based on your travel style.
1The Express Run — 1 Day
If you're short on time, you can drive St. Louis to Joplin in about 5 hours on I-44 (which parallels Route 66 most of the way). Add stops at Ted Drewes in St. Louis, Cuba for a quick mural walk, and the Munger Moss Motel in Lebanon for photos, and you've got a packed 10-hour day. You'll miss a lot, but you'll hit the highlights.
2The Sweet Spot — 2–3 Days (Recommended)
Day 1: St. Louis — Gateway Arch, Chain of Rocks Bridge, Ted Drewes, Crown Candy Kitchen, City Museum. Stay in St. Louis or drive to Cuba/Rolla.
Day 2: Cuba to Lebanon — Cuba murals (2 hrs), Meramec Caverns (2 hrs), Rolla's Stonehenge (30 min), Munger Moss Motel in Lebanon. Stay in Lebanon or Springfield.
Day 3: Springfield to Joplin — Route 66 Visitor Center, Fantastic Caverns, Carthage Drive-In (if Fri/Sat), Bonnie & Clyde Hideout in Joplin.
3The Deep Dive — 4–5 Days
This is for Route 66 purists who want to drive every mile of the original alignment, visit every small-town museum, eat at every classic diner, and photograph every mural. You'll have time for Devil's Elbow Bridge, Waynesville's Roubidoux Spring, Pacific's Jensen Point, and all the small stops that make Missouri Route 66 special. Allow extra time for the new cities added in 2026: Pacific, Carthage, Devil's Elbow, and Waynesville.
4Overnight Recommendations
Night 1: St. Louis (wide hotel selection) Night 2: Lebanon — stay at Munger Moss Motel for the authentic Route 66 experience ($55/night) Night 3: Springfield — largest city between St. Louis and Joplin, plenty of restaurants and hotels
lightbulbPro Tips
2–3 days is the sweet spot for most travelers — enough time to enjoy without rushing.
Don't plan more than 3 city stops per day — you'll spend more time driving than exploring.
The Ozark section (Cuba to Lebanon) has the most scenic driving — don't rush this stretch.
If you only have one day, prioritize St. Louis + Cuba + Springfield — skip the smaller towns.