St. Louis, MO is a spectacular city with many parks, museums, and recreational opportunities. However, we sometimes need a break from the beautiful city we call home. Fortunately, you can take many relaxing drives in Missouri if you need to roam and unwind. Today, we’re looking at our favorite scenic drives you can take in this great state.
1. Historic Route 66 Byway: St. Louis, MO to Joplin, MO
The most beautiful byway in Missouri, Historic Route 66 Byway, will take you from St. Louis to Joplin at the border of Kansas. Along the 317-mile journey, you will drive through many small cities, including Saint Clair, Sullivan, Saint Robert, and Eureka.
While Eureka is less than an hour away from St. Louis, we strongly recommend stopping there. At 97 N. Outer Road, Suite 1, you will find Route 66 State Park. This state park features four trails, including three loop trails, that are great for mountain biking, hiking, and horseback riding. You can also fish during daylight hours on the Meramec River.
2. Great River Road
We also recommend driving along part of the Great River Road. The Great River Road National Scenic Byway runs parallel to the Mississippi River, extending to the Gulf of Mexico from northern Minnesota. Driving the entire scenic byway can take anywhere from four to 10 days; we recommend sticking to Highway 61 in Missouri and exploring some of the most beautiful river towns in the state.
One of the most popular destinations in Missouri along Great River Road is Saint Charles. Here, you will find the confluence of the Mississippi River and the Minnesota River. Cape Girardeau is also worth exploring. It is home to the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center, a great place to learn about the natural history of the area, including the great river. We also recommend checking out:
- New Madrid
- Louisiana
- Perryville
3. Old Trails Road
Old Trails Road is another great scenic road to take if you need to unwind. This scenic byway starts west of Napoleon where Highway 24 and Highway 224 meet. However, if you’re heading west from St. Louis, you can start at the end, just to Lexington’s east where 224 passes under Route 13. This 15.3-mile scenic byway offers panoramic views of the Missouri River basin at Wellington and Napoleon, and you can see:
- Stunning landmarks
- Emerald hilltops
- Beautiful bottomlands
While there are many scenic roads that highlight some of the best Missouri offers, you need reliable transportation to explore the state. If you need a car you can count on, contact us today at Bommarito Chevrolet South County to schedule a test drive for a 2024 Chevy Trax.
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