Summer can mean different things to different people. For some it’s the beach, for others it is long days and short nights. But for us, it usually means that yearly summer road trip. The road trip can be a source of good fun, however, if not done correctly, it can be a long and torturous nightmare. Unfortunately most people believe that the only way to fix this is to plan numerous stops in order to get out of the car as much as possible. While doing that helps, sometimes the best method is to make the drive longer. Here is a list of 4 of the best scenic drives you can take when visiting the state of Missouri.
The Branson Area from Springfield to Branson, MO
This 56 mile drive takes you south from Springfield, MO, through the White Water Hills, and finally stops in Branson. When you start this drive you will notice that the land you are on is incredibly flat. This is because you are traveling across the Springfield plateau, which was formed when land was uplifted in order to create the Ozarks. This entire region is made almost completely of limestone and over the years has taken the shape of a large dome. From the top of the plateau creeks and streams flow out from all directions.
Old Mill Run – Gainesville to Highway 160, MO
This drive begins in Gainesville and will have you traveling for 58 Miles, taking you through a variety of scenic hills, valleys, visiting glades, historic sites, and clear flowing streams. One of the historic sites of interest are the old water mills, which for centuries had been used to mill wheat and corn, or provide power to machines such as cotton gins, rock crushers, and wool carding machines. In later times they were used as a source of electricity for the locals.
Lake of the Ozarks: Bagnell Dam to Ha Ha Tonka, MO
One of the shorter routes, this drive lasts only 22 miles. This trip starts at the Bagnell dam and will take you down to the Ozarks. What makes this route so attractive are natural sights such as picturesque hills, bluffs, glades, caves, and springs. There are also a large number of gift shops and restaurants you can stop at, as well as areas on the river made for water recreation.
Two Rivers: Salem to Blue Spring, MO
A drive that lasts for 64 miles, this is one of the longest scenic routes Missouri has to offer. This one will take you past the hills of the Current and Jacks Fork Rivers. The highway you travel across is built on gently rolling plains that is part of the Salem Plateau. Some of the largest springs in the United States exist in this area.
Sometimes a long drive through the country really is the best cure for the unavoidable case of road trip boredom. So instead of stopping off at an arcade, or restaurant and spending lots of extra money, you can have a fun time and just take in all of the picturesque beauty that Missouri holds!
MO Hwy 19 from Thayer to Hannibal.
Old Mill Run…please clarify. Gainesville in on Hwy 160. What are the starting and ending points and what road is it actyally on…if it goes to 160 it can’t be on 160.
Old Mill Run – Gainesville to Highway 160, MO
Do you mean Dawt mill?
“Gainesville to Highway 160, MO” “to” 160? …Gainesville is already on 160.
I would like to take some of these drives, but I have no idea what routes you are talking about. For example, the main route between Springfield and Branson is US65. That isn’t a very scenic drive in that it is covered in billboards. Highway 160 goes to Gainsville, what loop do you mean? A route would be a more meaningful post.