Estimated Drive: About 6½ hours without stops
Route: St. Louis → Hermann → Jefferson City → Rolla → Lebanon → Springfield → Ozark → Branson
Ready to trade city streets for winding Ozark roads? This road trip takes you from the heart of St. Louis through Missouri wine country, the state capital and some of the most beautiful landscapes in the Ozarks. Along the way, you'll find historic towns, scenic rivers, natural springs, forested hills and plenty of reasons to pull over and explore.
Start in St. Louis
Start your adventure with a little St. Louis sightseeing before heading west. Grab breakfast or coffee, then check out some of the city's iconic attractions. Take in the Gateway Arch and Mississippi River views, wander through the colorful exhibits at the City Museum or stroll through Forest Park before hitting the road.
If you're looking for something quick to take with you, pick up a St. Louis-style snack for the drive. Toasted ravioli, gooey butter cake or a fresh pastry make excellent road-trip fuel.
Explore Hermann
Trade the city for the rolling hills and vineyards of Missouri Wine Country in Hermann. This picturesque town along the Missouri River is packed with historic brick buildings, boutique shops, restaurants, museums and wineries.
Take a stroll through the historic downtown district, browse the local shops or visit the Deutschheim State Historic Site to learn about Hermann's German heritage. If you'd rather enjoy the scenery, follow the Hermann Wine Trail, which winds through the countryside between Hermann and New Haven and includes several family-owned wineries. You can also walk or bike along the Katy Trail, the longest developed rail-trail in the country, which passes through several towns and follows the Missouri River.
For a scenic break, head toward the riverfront or find a spot overlooking the vineyards before continuing toward Jefferson City.
Make a Stop in Jefferson City
Continue west toward Missouri's capital for a little history and architecture. The Missouri State Capitol sits on a bluff overlooking the Missouri River and houses the Missouri State Museum, along with an impressive collection of artwork, including murals by Thomas Hart Benton. Guided Capitol tours are available with advance reservations.
After exploring the Capitol, walk down toward Jefferson Landing State Historic Site, where the Lohman Building recreates an 1850s general store and tells the story of Jefferson City's early days as a Missouri River landing. For some fresh air, take the Bicentennial Bridge over to Deborah Cooper Park, or make a quick stop at Runge Nature Center for trails, an aquarium, and nature exhibits with live animals.
If you're more interested in the unusual side of history, the Missouri State Penitentiary offers guided tours and a museum.
Get Your Kicks in Rolla
As you continue southwest, you'll start getting into the Ozarks. Rolla makes a fun introduction to the region, especially for road-trippers interested in Route 66. The city sits along the historic Mother Road and has plenty of roadside history and photo opportunities.
Snap a picture with Rolla's Route 66 sculpture, check out the downtown Route 66 mural or visit the half-size Stonehenge replica at the University of Missouri Science and Technology. For a sweet break, stop at Soda & Scoops for ice cream and old-fashioned sodas, or grab a meal at one of Rolla's locally owned restaurants.
If you're short on time, you don't need to do much here. Even a quick Route 66 photo stop gives the trip another fun piece of Americana.
Step Back in Time in Lebanon
Keep following Route 66 toward Lebanon, another classic stop along the Mother Road. The Route 66 Museum and Research Center, located inside the Lebanon-Laclede County Library, features a recreated 1950s gas station and diner, vintage vehicles and memorabilia from the famous highway. Admission is free.
You can also explore Lebanon's historic Route 66 sites, browse antique and specialty shops or grab a bite before getting back on the road. If you'd rather get outside, Bennett Spring State Park is nearby and offers hiking, fishing and spring-fed scenery.
Road-trip tip: Rolla and Lebanon are close enough in theme that you don't necessarily need to spend significant time at both. Pick one for your Route 66 fix, or make quick stops at each.
Explore Springfield, the Birthplace of Route 66
Now you're getting close to Branson, but don't rush through Springfield. The city is officially recognized as the Birthplace of Route 66, making it one of the most fitting stops on a Missouri road trip.
Route 66 fans can explore the Route 66 Car Museum, Gary's Gay Parita, the Gillioz Theatre and other historic Mother Road landmarks. If you're looking for a bigger attraction, Springfield is also home to Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium and Fantastic Caverns, America's only ride-through cave.
You could easily spend an entire day exploring Springfield, so don't try to squeeze everything into a short stop. Pick one attraction, grab lunch and enjoy a little Route 66 before continuing south.
Make One Last Stop in Ozark
You're almost to Branson! Just south of Springfield, Ozark makes a great final stop before the last stretch of the drive.
One of the best places to slow down is Finley Farms & The Ozark Mill, a historic and culinary destination along the Finley River. Grab coffee or a bite at The Workshop, wander through the urban farm, cross the historic Riverside Bridge and visit the riverfront chapel. You can also explore the historic Ozark Mill and enjoy a meal overlooking the river. There's no admission fee to explore the property.
If you've been in the car most of the day, this is a particularly nice place to stretch your legs before making the final drive to Branson.
Finish the Adventure in Branson
After miles of scenic Ozark roads, you've finally made it to Branson. Now it's time to trade the road trip playlist for live music, thrilling attractions and plenty of Ozark adventures.
Catch a live show, spend a day at Silver Dollar City, ride a mountain coaster, explore Historic Downtown or Branson Landing, or relax along Table Rock Lake. After exploring Missouri from the river valleys to the forested hills, Branson makes the perfect place to end the journey.
Looking for more things to do on your trip to Branson? See all Branson has to explore!
