Missouri is a big, beautiful state. Would you like to know our pick for one great way to take in natural views? Get in the car and go for a drive on some scenic drives in Missouri. You’ll want to get off the major highways and roadways because these beautiful Missouri scenic byways provide some of the best scenery our state has to offer. Check out some of the best driving roads in Missouri:

1. Blue Buck Knob Scenic Byway
Blue Buck Knob National Forest Scenic Byway, Willow Springs, MO 65793, USA
Google Maps
This beautiful byway, which stretches 25 miles between Cabool and Route 14, meanders through the gorgeous woods of Mark Twain National Forest in Ozark Hill Country. You'll want to plan plenty of time to stop and explore the route's scenic overlooks, gurgling streams, and picturesque farmland.
2. Cliff Drive
Cliff Drive, Cliff Dr, Kansas City, MO, USA
Vincent Parsons/Flickr.com
This is one of Missouri's only urban scenic byways. Cutting through Kansas City, the 4.5-mile route goes through attractive Kessler Park. Gaze at limestone bluffs and forests overlooking the Missouri River bottom.

See what it’s like to drive along this urban scenic byway:

3. Crowley's Ridge Parkway
Crowley's Ridge Road, Crowley's Ridge Rd, Commerce Township, MO 63780, USA
Colinhester/Commons.Wikimedia.org
Although this lovely scenic byway is mostly in Arkansas, the 212-mile trip starts in the southeastern corner of Missouri. The route along dramatic Crowley's Ridge is particularly beautiful in spring when wildflowers dot the road. Along the way, see forests, farmland, historic buildings, battlefields, and orchards. Missouri sites include Malden's Historical Museum and Bootheel Youth Museum.

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4. Glade Top Trail
Glade Top Trail, Beaver Township, MO 65608, USA
Lewis Powell/Google
This gorgeous 23-mile drive is the state's only National Forest Scenic Byway; it includes the Mark Twain National Forest and the Hercules Glades Wilderness Area. Be sure to stop at the route's multiple overlook pull-outs to see jaw-dropping panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.

Get a closer look at this beautiful area in Missouri:

5. Historic Route 66 Byway
Historic Route 66, Historic Rte 66, Pacific, MO, USA
Steve Walser/Flickr
Take a trip on Route 66. This historic byway, which stretches around 300 miles, goes from St. Louis on the east to Joplin on the west. Along the way, drop in on antique shops, service stations, and old-school diners. Notable stops along the way include Cuba's Totem Pole Trading Post, supposedly the oldest original business along Missouri's stretch of Route 66, and The Elbow Inn in Devil's Elbow.

Take a look at some of the amazing attractions on Route 66 in Missouri:

6. Little Dixie Highway
Little Dixie Lane, Little Dixie Ln, Bourbon Township, MO 65251, USA
John Mueller/Flickr.com
Drive along the mighty Mississippi. This beautiful scenic byway, part of the Great River Road, takes travelers from MO 79 at the Ralls-Pike County line to just south of Hannibal. The 29-mile route includes tons for history buffs, including, of course, the Mark Twain sites in Hannibal.
7. Old Trails Road
Lexington, MO 64067, USA
Vincent Parsons/Flickr.com
Travel down Route 224 from Lexington to Napoleon for a scenic byway packed with history, fun, cultural sites, and natural beauty. The 15-mile route, which follows the Missouri River, is the same one once used by Native Americans, fur traders, explorers, pioneers and other notable historical figures. You'll see everything from beautiful bluffs overlooking the Missouri River Basin to quaint small towns.

Have you taken a drive on any of these scenic drives in Missouri? Which of Missouri’s scenic byways is your favorite? Let us know about it in the comments. When autumn comes, make sure to take a road trip to see some of the most beautiful roads to drive in the fall in Missouri.

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More to Explore

Road Trip Attractions in Missouri

William Suphan | August 17, 2023

What are the most beautiful hidden attractions in Missouri?

The most beautiful hidden attractions in Missouri include:

  • Painted Rock Conservation Area. You’ll need to do a bit of hiking to get here, but the views are well worth it.
  • McBaine Burr Oak. This massive and gorgeous old oak tree is over 300 years old and is the oldest living tree in the state.
  • Hickory Canyons Natural Area. Located near Ste. Genevieve, this place has several trails with lovely waterfalls along the way.
  • Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden. Few things are as beautiful as a well-manicured Japanese garden and this one is no exception.

Find out more about the most beautiful hidden attractions in Missouri. 

What are the most beautiful places in Missouri?

The most beautiful places in Missouri include:

  • Blue Spring in Eminence. This is the deepest freshwater spring in Missouri and has bright turquoise waters.
  • Taum Sauk Mountain near Ironton. This is the highest point in Missouri and has amazing panoramic views of the lush forests.
  • Hercules Glades Wilderness area near Bradleyville. These limestone glades have several beautiful waterfalls carved over the years by Long Creek.
  • Powder Valley Nature Center in Kirkwood. This is a wonderful place to go for natural beauty and to spot all kinds of wildlife.

Discover more about the most beautiful places in Missouri. 

What are the most charming general stores in Missouri?

The most charming general stores in Missouri include:

  • Old Village Mercantile in Caledonia. This old store is on the National Register of Historic Places and was built in 1909.
  • Henson’s General Store in Champion. This small-town general store has been around since 1940 and is the only place for locals to shop within 20 miles.
  • Prairie Home General Store in Prairie Home. This old-fashioned store sells antiques, seeds, and food and also happens to be solar-powered.
  • First Dawn General Store & Lesterville Florist & Gifts in Lesterville. This historic store sells old-fashioned candy, ice cream, soda, and much more.

Learn more about the most charming general stores in Missouri.

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