Missouri on the Mother Road

Many of the classic tourist spots and small businesses were closed for the Easter holiday. We drove past shuttered motels with their vintage neon signs dark, empty parking lots at famous diners, and quiet roadside attractions that normally buzz with visitors. At first, it felt a little disappointing—especially after the lively energy in Illinois—but it quickly turned into something special. There was a peaceful, almost ghostly beauty to having these historic stretches almost entirely to ourselves. We stopped at pull-offs with no other cars in sight, took our time photographing old roadside attractions, and enjoyed the silence of the Ozark hills. The emptiness made the road feel even more timeless, like we had the Mother Road all to ourselves for a few hours.

We spent our first night in Missouri at Prairie Barn Winery and Christmas Tree Farm. It was a beautiful spot, at a beautiful farm, with an amazing and welcoming host. She stayed open for us on Easter to make sure we had the best experience at her Harvest Host spot. The wine was out of this world, and each one had a magical story. Will definitely be visiting here during my next trip through Missouri, whether I’m staying in my RV or just popping in!

After an unforgettable (and slightly stormy) time in Illinois, we crossed the Mississippi River and rolled into Missouri with big smiles and full tanks of gas. Missouri’s stretch of Route 66 delivers everything you hope for on the Mother Road: quirky roadside attractions, rolling hills, classic neon signs, and long stretches of peaceful two-lane highway. This leg took us from St. Louis deep into the Ozarks, with one very memorable stop that had us laughing the whole day.

Because we spent our New Year’s Eve weekend in St. Louis we decided to start our day at the Route 66 State Park Visitor Center. It was quaint but had plenty of information and unique gifts. We continued cruising through towns like Pacific and Gray Summit before the landscape started opening up. The road winds beautifully here, mixing old alignments with modern interstate stretches when we needed to make time. But we tried to stay on the historic route as much as possible—because that’s where the real magic lives.

You can’t drive Route 66 in Missouri without stopping at Uranus. Yes, the town is really named that, and yes, they lean all the way into the jokes. We pulled up to the Uranus Fudge Factory & General Store expecting a quick laugh and maybe some candy. What we got was one of the most entertaining, over-the-top, and genuinely fun stops of the entire trip so far.

The place is packed with giant roadside statues, hilarious signage, a massive gift shop, and of course, world-famous fudge. We wandered around taking photos, reading every pun-filled sign, and sampling way too many flavors of fudge. It was the perfect mix of cheesy, clever, and pure Route 66 spirit. Even the bathrooms are part of the experience—let’s just say they didn’t miss a single joke opportunity.

Between the laughs in Uranus and the quiet beauty of Pulaski County, Missouri gave us a perfect mix of silly fun and reflective driving. The hills got greener and steeper as we headed deeper into the Ozarks. Long, empty stretches of highway let us relax, listen to road-trip playlists, and just enjoy being exactly where we were. We wrapped up this leg of the trip feeling even more connected to Route 66. Missouri showed us that the journey isn’t only about the big famous stops—it’s also about the quiet miles, the unexpected closed signs, and the ridiculous roadside attractions that make you smile for miles afterward.

There are 2 stops (in our opinion) that you cannot miss on Route 66 in Missouri. In the quiet backcountry towards the western part of the state are two hidden gems that I am so grateful to have experienced. Stop number one Gary's Gay Parita. Gary's Gay Parita in Ash Grove, MO, is an iconic roadside attraction, a collection of art and vintage history of the Mother Road of America. This magical blast in the past had endless gas station and Route 66 memorabilia. It felt like walking into my Grandpa's garage and a museum at the same time. The owner made it all the more special. We got to talking about our journey and his, too. Interactions like this are exactly what traveling Route 66 is all about. While talking with George, we learned about Red Oak II, just a few miles down the road.

Red Oak was a village that was loved so much by a man named Lowell Davis that when he returned to his home after World War II, he began to purchase the buildings and landmarks of Red Oak and move them to a new home. In this, he created Red Oak II, restoring his hometown into a beautiful piece of history. It was definitely like stepping back in time walking through Red Oak II. And it was beautiful to see the artwork and community aspect. Both of these countryside stops were dog-loving, and Margarita had the best time exploring the history of the Mother Road almost as much as we did.

We spent our last night in Missouri at someone’s farm, next to a strawberry field. It was beyond magical. It felt like a dream waking up in the middle of a berry field next to farm animals. We got to purchase farm-fresh eggs and truly organic strawberry jam. The Harvest Host even helped us back into our spot. We loved HSH Farms!

Next up: We’re heading deeper into the Ozarks and beyond. Stay tuned for the next chapter!

Safe travels,

Xoxo

H, D, M