Take a scenic ride through the heart of the Missouri Ozarks as we follow the Ozark Mountain Highroad—now officially signed as Missouri Route 76—on its southbound journey from US-65 to the iconic Country Boulevard just west of Branson. This 8-mile drive blends forested hills, wide vistas, and the soft hum of a route steeped in both modern planning and Route 66-era nostalgia. Once designated Missouri Route 465, this highway was renumbered as part of a 2020 realignment that extended MO-76 along the highroad to create a more direct connection between US-65 and Branson’s entertainment corridor.
Our journey begins at the junction with US-65, just north of Branson proper. From here, we head westward onto what was once known as MO-465, a limited-access expressway that skirts the northern edge of town. This stretch of highway was designed to carry travelers quickly around Branson’s often-congested downtown strip while still offering impressive views of the rugged Ozark terrain. Shortly after departure, we encounter the highway’s only major interchange, where MO-248 meets the Highroad in a well-engineered loop that connects travelers to both Shepherd of the Hills and other parts of northern Branson. Rolling hills and dense woodlands frame the roadway on either side as we continue southwest, with the dramatic terrain rising and falling beside us.
As we bend southward past the MO-248 interchange, the route cuts through Waterfall Hollow—a serene pocket of tree-lined ravines and seasonal waterfalls that gives this area its name. The pavement here glides smoothly, a testament to its relatively recent construction compared to older, winding Ozark routes. Not long after, we cross Roark Creek, its meandering waters tucked beneath a canopy of green as we descend gently into the lower elevations outside the Branson basin. The views here open up slightly, revealing glimpses of rolling pastures and distant ridgelines.
We reach our destination at the southern terminus of the Ozark Mountain Highroad, where this modern alignment of MO-76 rejoins the historic route near Country Boulevard. This junction was once the northern end of MO-465, which existed from its construction in the 1990s until its re-designation in 2020. The realignment was intended to simplify navigation and integrate the bypass directly into the flow of MO-76, which continues east into the heart of Branson’s famed entertainment district. Our ride may be short in distance, but the Highroad encapsulates a key transition point—where the modern need for efficient travel meets the timeless appeal of the Missouri backwoods and Branson’s legacy as a tourism capital.
In many ways, the Ozark Mountain Highroad offers a moment to breathe between the bustle of US-65 and the activity of downtown Branson. It’s a scenic glide above the noise, a functional bypass that still manages to feel like a hidden gem in its own right. Whether you’re headed to a music show, a hiking trail, or just passing through the Ozarks, this route makes for a calming, efficient, and visually engaging start—or end—to your journey.
🗺️ Route Map
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