Take a smooth and scenic ride through the rolling terrain of eastern Missouri as we follow Interstate 44 from Gray Summit to Stanton—a 24-mile journey that offers more than just a quick route west. This stretch of I-44 cuts a clean line through the wooded foothills of the Missouri Ozarks, tracing an updated path alongside its historic predecessor, Route 66. While much of the journey is modern expressway, echoes of the Mother Road remain just out of sight, waiting patiently behind the trees and hillsides that cradle the interstate.
Our drive begins at the Gray Summit interchange, where Route 66 crosses under the modern highway just south of the Shaw Nature Reserve. As we merge westbound onto I-44, the landscape quickly shifts into that classic Ozark blend of forested ridgelines, narrow valleys, and the occasional open pasture. The highway carves gently through these features, rising and falling with the terrain in broad, sweeping arcs. Along the way, we pass occasional service areas and roadside businesses—faint descendants of the vibrant roadside culture that once thrived when Route 66 was the main thoroughfare. In the distance, grain silos and country water towers mark the locations of towns nestled just off the mainline.
Midway through our journey, we approach St. Clair, a modest town that now sits primarily to the south of the highway. A major junction appears here with Missouri Route 47, providing access to the heart of St. Clair and the nearby community of Union to the north. Though I-44 skirts the edge of town, the signage and exit ramps remind us of the regional significance this corridor still holds—connecting commuters, truckers, and travelers alike. St. Clair was once a stop on the Frisco Railroad and still bears the feel of a crossroads town, even if I-44 moves a little too fast for most to notice.
Leaving St. Clair behind, we continue southwest through increasingly wooded countryside, dipping into tree-lined hollows and past rocky outcrops. The terrain becomes more rugged here, hinting at the deeper Ozarks just a few dozen miles ahead. We pass small exits for towns like Moselle and Stanton, each of which has a deeper connection to the legacy of Route 66 than I-44 might suggest. At exit 230, we leave the interstate at Stanton—best known today as the home of Meramec Caverns, one of the most enduring roadside attractions along the old Route 66 corridor. Just a short drive south of the interchange, Meramec Caverns continues to pull visitors underground to marvel at Missouri’s subterranean wonders.
Though short and efficient, this drive between Gray Summit and Stanton subtly charts a transition—from the outer limits of metro St. Louis into the rugged edge of the Ozarks. It reminds us that not every highway needs to be winding or nostalgic to be meaningful. I-44 here is a conduit: speeding modern travelers across the landscape while still nodding toward the history that lives just off the next exit. Whether you’re chasing the ghost of Route 66 or simply making time through Missouri, this stretch offers a gentle introduction to the terrain and temperament of the Show-Me State.
🗺️ Route Map
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