Springfield, Missouri
Ozark hills, neon motels and the birthplace of Route 66.
Springfield, Missouri — not to be confused with its Illinois namesake — is where the Ozarks begin and the road gets interesting. Rolling hills replace flat prairie, the air changes, and you start to feel the West pulling. This is also where the official Route 66 association was founded, and the town wears the badge proudly.
“The Ozarks were the first time the road bent. Devil's Elbow, shaded and quiet, the Big Piney below — I nearly stopped the group just to look at it again.”
History
Springfield stakes a real claim as the birthplace of Route 66 — the US Highway 66 Association was founded here in 1927 to promote the new road. It was once a wild frontier town and Civil War crossroads; today it's a lively college city sitting at the edge of the Ozark Highlands.
Why Visit
The Ozark riding is the first genuinely scenic stretch of the trip, and Springfield is the perfect base. It's also the gateway to the Munger Moss Motel and the classic Missouri 66 alignments that follow.
Best Motorcycle Roads
Ozark Scenic Byway (MO-14 to MO-125)
The moment the road gets interesting — forested curves and ridge-top views. The first real test of the trip and the first real reward.
Old Route 66 through Devil's Elbow
The original 1926 alignment through a tight bend by the Big Piney River — narrow, shaded and lovely.
Best Hotels
Best Western Springfield MO
BudgetReliable, motorcycle-friendly stop with truck-level parking and breakfast. Unsexy but exactly right after a long Ozark day.
University Plaza Hotel
Mid-rangeCentral, comfortable and walkable to downtown restaurants. Secure courtyard parking.
Best Restaurants
Cashew Station
Midwest
A Springfield institution for cashew-crusted everything since 1966 — a local dish you won't find anywhere else.
Must Try · Cashew chicken
Lambert's Cafe ('Throwed Rolls')
American
Famous for throwing fresh rolls across the room. Tacky, fun, and genuinely good food. A Route 66 rite of passage.
Must Try · The thrown rolls and the pass-around fried potatoes
Hidden Gems
- Devil's Elbow — the old 66 alignment most riders skip for the interstate. Don't.
- The Route 66 roadside park with original concrete pavement you can touch.
- Fantastic Caverns — a ride-through cave tour, of all things.
Photography Spots
- The curve at Devil's Elbow with the river below.
- Lambert's Cafe sign with a bike parked out front.
- The Ozark ridge-top views on MO-125 at dusk.
Sunrise & Sunset
Around 6:15am. The Ozark valleys hold morning mist — ride out slowly and enjoy it.
From any west-facing ridge on the scenic byway — the hardwoods glow orange in autumn.
Practical Information
- Bass Pro Shops fuel court (headquarters is here) — easy in and out.
- Murphy USA on Glenstone Avenue, handy for the I-44 corridor.
Downtown Springfield has free 2-hour street parking and several surface lots. Lambert's has a big gravel lot ideal for bikes.
Suggested Walking Routes
Downtown C-Street
A 30-minute stroll down Commercial Street — old brick warehouses turned into bars and galleries.
Jordan Valley Park
A flat green loop near the Route 66 roadside park and the history museum.
Weather & Ride Difficulty
Ozark continental — warm humid summers, mild autumns with spectacular colour, and the occasional severe thunderstorm. Spring can bring tornado watches — take warnings seriously.
First real corners of the trip. Ozark bends are gentle but frequent; watch for deer at dawn and dusk on the back roads.
Nearby Attractions
- Munger Moss Motel (Lebanon, en route)
- Meramec Caverns (Stanton, north of here)
- Fantastic Caverns
- Wilson's Creek National Battlefield
Frequently Asked Questions
Missouri. The two share a name but are 200 miles apart. You'll hit the Illinois one on Day 1 and the Missouri one on Day 3.
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