Road trip through Missouri - Roads? Services? (Kansas City, St. Louis: construction, shops)

[spacadet]

Hi all,

I'll be driving through Missouri this Saturday & Sunday July 2nd/3rd - I think. I'm headed from New Orleans to Omaha, Ne (passing through Jackson, Memphis, Cape Girardeau, St. Louis, and Kansas City). I already know that I-29 is closed due to flooding.

Is I-55 OK for long trips? How about Hwy 40? Will I be able to find gas/food along the route? There's a chance I may change my route to Dallas-OK City-Salina KS if the I-55/Hwy-40/I-29 route has too much devastation.

Some boots-on-the-ground info would be appreciated!

[BethP]

You'll find plenty of info, including a map, regarding MO road conditions at MODOT's page: Missouri Department of Transportation Looking at the map, I don't see any flood-related closures on either I-55 or I-70 (Hwy 40).

As for food/gas along I-55 and I-70, that shouldn't be a problem. It's only about 1 1/2 hours drive from Cape to StL and there are plenty of towns with gas stations and fast food up and down I-55 if you need to stop more often. Columbia, MO is roughly halfway between StL and KC, and only about a 2 hour drive from either one. And again, there are smaller towns along the interstate with gas/food, as well.

Others may have more specific info for you, and hopefully they'll post. Safe travels to you!

[GunnerTHB]

I-55 is in good shape as far as I know.

[aragx6]

I-70 is a pretty straight shot (and rather pretty too!) with plenty of services off of it. Done that drive more times than I care to count.

[Rockrunner]

I drive 55 and 70 a lot, Missouri highways are in good repair currently thanks to stimulus funds being spent on make work. MO got her share and you should enjoy the drive. There are clean rest stops along the way and gas and food will be easy to find.

[moving46]

has anybody traveled hiway 13 to springfield or 71 to 13 to springfield. how is it is there alot of small towns or places to stop.

[Arrby]

Originally Posted by moving46

has anybody traveled hiway 13 to springfield or 71 to 13 to springfield. how is it is there alot of small towns or places to stop.

I am guessing here, but I think you are asking about travel from Kansas City via 71 to 13 to Springfield.

If so, the route is 71 to 7 at Harrisonville, then 7 to 13 at Clinton, and 13 to Springfield. Good highway, plenty of small towns for stops, four lane all the way, and currently little, if any, construction south of Belton (suburban KC).

Harrisonville, Clinton and Bolivar are the only towns larger than 1,000 people, but there are many places for gas and several with at least some kind of food. Let me see if I can do this from memory: KC, Grandview, Belton, Peculiar, Harrisonville, Garden City, Creighton, Urich, Clinton, Lowery City, Osceola, Collins, Humansville, Bolivar, Springfield. I do not warranty the spellings.

Osceola Cheese is a fun place for a break, if you like that sort of thing. I really like their baby swiss.

[christina0001]

ditto Arrby, plenty of places to stop. If you need to stop for a meal, stop by Smith's in Collins, which will be about 1.25 hours north of Springfield.
There's many antique places to stop at in/around Bolivar. I also like Trade Fair, which is between Osceola and Collins on the northbound side. Clinton also has a few good shops.
Osceola Cheese is great...but if you are craving ice cream, go across the highway to Joe's for a cone.

[moving46]

thanks for all the replys. Yes I am going from kc to springfield to branson and going 70 to 65 is getting very boring. need to do something different. will try it this weekend thank you.

[spacadet]

Hm. What I was wondering has more to do with the flooding. For instance, I know I-29 is underwater north of St. Joseph. What about I-70? It looks as if there is flooding nearby there too.

The MODOT page was helpful - thanks BethP.