Take a scenic ride through the heart of the Missouri Ozarks as we follow a quiet but storied stretch of Historic Route 66 from St. Robert to Gascozark. This 21-mile journey winds past quirky roadside attractions, wooded hillsides, and the remnants of classic Americana—all echoing the golden era of cross-country travel. Heading west along one of the most storied stretches of pavement in the United States, we begin our journey on Historic Route 66 just outside St. Robert, Missouri. With the novelty shops and oddities of the Uranus Fudge Factory in our rearview mirror, we roll onto the old mother road—now designated as Missouri Route Z in this area. As we descend into the city of St. Robert, the nostalgia of this fabled highway is unmistakable. Though modern infrastructure has reshaped parts of the route, this corridor still follows the ghost of Route 66’s golden era, with hints of mid-century motels, roadside diners, and neon signage tucked among the newer developments. Passing through town, we intersect Interstate 44 at exit 159, a key junction linking the new and the old.
Crossing into Waynesville, the route joins with Missouri Highway 17, retracing the original alignment of Route 66 through this historic town. Waynesville itself has been a crossroads of travel since its days as a pioneer settlement along the Roubidoux Creek. The downtown area whispers its past with restored buildings and local landmarks like the Pulaski County Courthouse. As we follow MO-17 southwest, the road runs briefly parallel to I-44, showcasing how modern expressways often mimic the paths once carved by their more scenic predecessors. We reach Buckhorn—a tiny outpost where Route 66 curves across the interstate again—and continue on into the quieter hills of Pulaski County.
Soon we reach Laquey, a small rural community that serves as the pivot point for another shift in alignment. Here, MO-17 turns south, but the historic route continues west as Missouri Route AB. This portion of Route 66 feels more remote, the scenery transitioning to rolling hills and patches of open farmland. The road meanders gently, hugging the natural contours of the Ozark terrain as we drive through peaceful stretches where the hum of tires replaces the rush of interstate traffic. The route gradually bends northwest as it approaches the community of Gascozark, its name a nod to the nearby Gasconade River and the Ozarks that surround it. At Exit 145, we rejoin I-44, closing out this segment of our journey where modern highway and historic blacktop once again converge.
This drive is more than just a trip across central Missouri—it’s a passage through time. It reminds us how travel used to feel: slower, more deliberate, and intimately connected to the places in between. From quirky roadside attractions to forested ridgelines and forgotten motels, Historic Route 66 between St. Robert and Gascozark still carries the soul of America’s highway heritage.
🗺️ Route Map
0 Comments