Missouri: The Cool Highway State

[gblowfish]

One of the cool things about Missouri is its been home to some of America's most famous Highways. In Missouri alone, we've been home to:

Route 66: The Mother Road
Route 61: The Blues Highway
Route 50: America's Backbone
Route 40: America's Main Street
Route 24: The Telegraph Road
Route 69: Most stolen road sign in USA
Route 71: An original North-South across entire USA route
Route 54: Chicago to El Paso
Route 36: Pony Express Route West

Here's Wikipedia links to all of Missouri's great US Highways, except for US 60 across Southern Missouri, which doesn't have a listing for some reason.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_61
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_40
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_69
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_50
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_40
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_24
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_54
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_71
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_67
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_65
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_36

Everyone knows about Route 66, but the history of US 61, 50, 40 and 24 is also very interesting. Enjoy!

[Reaper16]

US 36 is practically my favorite US highway, next to 69. At the 36 exit from I-35 @ Cameron, I can go left to go to St. Joseph, which connects to 71, which goes to my university. Or, I can go right, which goes all the way to Illinois, bypassing St. Louis.
36 is awesome.

[88TG88]

Thats pretty cool. All LA is famous for is smog, ungodly traffic, and car-to-car shootings.
Picture this during rush hour
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i279/88tg88/Clipboard01-1.jpg

[DMAC]

HWY 19 is beautiful...then you hit Alton and go for a float on the Eleven Point.

Nothin better.

[Bob Dole]

No love for 7, 13 and 43?

Oh wait. They suck.

Bob Dole isn't giving 71 any love until those assholes in Arkansas finish their part of its replacement, I-49.

[Lzen]

The only thing Missouri highways are known for is being shitty.

[Pants]

More like "The Bumpy Highway State." If you want good highways, move to a different state.

[Coach]

I'll deftinaly agree on the Bumpy Highway State comment.

Missouri really needs to improve their roads.

[Bugeater]

I remember driving on Hwy 71 down around Carthage in the late 80's when they still had the southbound traffic on the old highway, the bridges were so freakin' narrow if you were next to a semi truck there was no room for error. I couldn't imagine what it was like when it was two-way traffic along there.

[Frazod]

US 36 is practically my favorite US highway, next to 69. At the 36 exit from I-35 @ Cameron, I can go left to go to St. Joseph, which connects to 71, which goes to my university. Or, I can go right, which goes all the way to Illinois, bypassing St. Louis.
36 is awesome.

I took the I-35 to US 36 route home last weekend. 36 is now duals all the way from Cameron to Macon - that's awesome. :thumb:

Now, if they can only finish that stretch between Macon and Hannibal. :banghead:

[Bob Dole]

I remember driving on Hwy 71 down around Carthage in the late 80's when they still had the southbound traffic on the old highway, the bridges were so freakin' narrow if you were next to a semi truck there was no room for error. I couldn't imagine what it was like when it was two-way traffic along there.

Bob Dole remembers when 43 north of Joplin was that narrow AND had curbs. Yikes.

[Nightwish]

Route 36: Pony Express Route West

To be fair, the Pony Express Route only occupied a half mile in Missouri. It started in St. Joseph, within a few blocks of the river, and went west from there. 99.99% of the mileage of Hwy 36 in Missouri had no association with the Pony Express.

[Discuss Thrower]

It's Missouri who's delaying the US-71 to I-49 conversion... Pretty sure that it's all bumpy ass two lanes through McDonald County, and 71 between Carthage and Harrisonville doesn't have on/off ramps at all. That's never going to get done.

[boogblaster]

There is some scenic driving in southern Mizzo..in the fall the leaves are awesome....

[Frazod]

My uncle told me that plans have been in place to make US 36 four lanes between Macon and Hannibal since he was in high school.

He's now 68.

:shake:

[Mr. Plow]

The only thing Missouri highways are known for is being shitty.

Porn Warehouses? Firework Stores? Get it all in one place....the Porn/Firework Outlet in Missouri.

[HemiEd]

No offense, but I would call it the Pothole State.

[HonestChieffan]

Missouri is fast working to be known for:

No speed enforcement on I-70; Drive as fast as the potholes allow.

Cold patch and three morons is "resurfacing"

Our rights of way are being cultivated as the sole source of invasive species and noxious weeds. Thanks to MoDot, ranchers in Missouri will spend millions trying to halt sericea lespedeza and Teasel from invading pastures, choking out grass, and destroying wildlife habitat.

There is not a more poorly run, corrupt, and immoral branch of state government.

[Frazod]

No offense, but I would call it the Pothole State.

Unlike Kansas, people actually drive on our roads occasionally. :p

[HemiEd]

Unlike Kansas, people actually drive on our roads occasionally. :p

You need a ****ing WW2 Jeep, damn those road suck ass. :p

[Frazod]

You need a ****ing WW2 Jeep, damn those road suck ass. :p
Well, they certainly rode better in the Impala coming back than in the Mustang going down. :D

[HemiEd]

Well, they certainly rode better in the Impala coming back than in the Mustang going down. :D

I bet that is a nice ride! What year, a new one? Neighbor has a nice one, the are a great car. What color is it?

[Frazod]

I bet that is a nice ride! What year, a new one? Neighbor has a nice one, the are a great car. What color is it?

I got a 2006. Saved many thousands of dollars by getting one a year used. The color is silver. Hides dirt well. I'm very pleased with it.

[HemiEd]

I got a 2006. Saved many thousands of dollars by getting one a year used. The color is silver. Hides dirt well. I'm very pleased with it.

You get to drive next time we go some where. :thumb:

[Frazod]

You get to drive next time we go some where. :thumb:

We're going to see Zodiac tomorrow night. You guys want to go?

[Bob Dole]

It's Missouri who's delaying the US-71 to I-49 conversion... Pretty sure that it's all bumpy ass two lanes through McDonald County, and 71 between Carthage and Harrisonville doesn't have on/off ramps at all. That's never going to get done.

Travel south of Ft. Smith, AR and come back and tell us who's holding things up. There isn't much of it left to complete between Bella Vista and Joplin, and it appears that they're working on what remains.

There has been much more progress in MO in the last 2 years from the AR line north, than there has been anywhere in Arkansas. The politicians in Little Rock funded the stretch from Ft. Smith to Fayetteville so they can get to their Razorback games and back home faster, and that appears to be the end of the improvements.

[HemiEd]

We're going to see Zodiac tomorrow night. You guys want to go?

We have people coming over to play cards, maybe another weekend soon. What is the Zodiac?

[Jenny Gump]

Travel south of Ft. Smith, AR and come back and tell us who's holding things up. There isn't much of it left to complete between Bella Vista and Joplin, and it appears that they're working on what remains.

There has been much more progress in MO in the last 2 years from the AR line north, than there has been anywhere in Arkansas. The politicians in Little Rock funded the stretch from Ft. Smith to Fayetteville so they can get to their Razorback games and back home faster, and that appears to be the end of the improvements.

I agree. Marked changes from even a decade ago.

[Frazod]

We have people coming over to play cards, maybe another weekend soon. What is the Zodiac?

New movie about the Zodiac killer. There's a thread about it.

[HemiEd]

New movie about the Zodiac killer. There's a thread about it.

I only like funny movies, not scary ones.

[Frazod]

I only like funny movies, not scary ones.

Wienie. :D

[HemiEd]

Wienie. :D

I know, pretty funny about movies. I either fall asleep or laugh my ass off.

[Nightwish]

No offense, but I would call it the Pothole State.Missouri has its share of potholes, but by far the worst roads I've ever seen for potholes and just generally horrible condition are in southern Illinois. Some of those roads make Missouri's worst offerings look pristine. In some parts of St. Clair county, Illinois, there are potholes nearly a foot deep, no exaggeration!

[kcfanXIII]

i like mo's highways cause they're scenic. crossing the river down by columbia is beautiful any time of year. i love the drive to bennet and the niangua from kc. the surface of the roads however sucks ass.

[headsnap]

that doesn't change the fact that I-70 through MO is the one of the ugliest stretches of Interstate in the country!!!!

[Frazod]

that doesn't change the fact that I-70 through MO is the one of the ugliest stretches of Interstate in the country!!!!

Apparently you've never driven through Kansas, Iowa, Oklahoma or Illinois.

[Bugeater]

I remember driving on Hwy 71 down around Carthage in the late 80's when they still had the southbound traffic on the old highway, the bridges were so freakin' narrow if you were next to a semi truck there was no room for error. I couldn't imagine what it was like when it was two-way traffic along there.
After further review, that section was actually part of Alt US 71. Wikipedia had a picture of what I was referring to.

[Bugeater]

Apparently you've never driven through Kansas, Iowa, Oklahoma or Illinois.
Or I-76 to Denver.

[headsnap]

Apparently you've never driven through Kansas, Iowa, Oklahoma or Illinois.
I said ugly not boring. ;)

[gblowfish]

Travel south of Ft. Smith, AR and come back and tell us who's holding things up. There isn't much of it left to complete between Bella Vista and Joplin, and it appears that they're working on what remains.

There has been much more progress in MO in the last 2 years from the AR line north, than there has been anywhere in Arkansas. The politicians in Little Rock funded the stretch from Ft. Smith to Fayetteville so they can get to their Razorback games and back home faster, and that appears to be the end of the improvements.

Bob Dole is right. 71 is 4-lane from KC all the way to Pineville, MO. There's one little strech of 2 lane from Pineville to Jane, MO. There's lots of hills and lots of limestone down there, and it's taking awhile to blast through all of it. It should be completed in another year or so.

In Arkansas, 71 becomes I-540 at Bentonville and goes to the south side of Ft. Smith. You then get 4-lane for about 30 miles south of Ft. Smith, then it goes back to 2-lane all the way to Texarkana. In a little town called Mansfield, it even goes straight through the middle of a graveyard!

[Bugeater]

Bob Dole is right. 71 is 4-lane from KC all the way to Pineville, MO. There's one little strech of 2 lane from Pineville to Jane, MO. There's lots of hills and lots of limestone down there, and it's taking awhile to blast through all of it. It should be completed in another year or so.

In Arkansas, 71 becomes I-540 at Bentonville and goes to the south side of Ft. Smith. You then get 4-lane for about 30 miles south of Ft. Smith, then it goes back to 2-lane all the way to Texarkana. In a little town called Mansfield, it even goes straight through the middle of a graveyard!
Speaking of Jane, MO and graveyards, someone once told me there are more dead people in Jane than living ones.

[Bob Dole]

In Arkansas, 71 becomes I-540 at Bentonville and goes to the south side of Ft. Smith. You then get 4-lane for about 30 miles south of Ft. Smith, then it goes back to 2-lane all the way to Texarkana. In a little town called Mansfield, it even goes straight through the middle of a graveyard!

The I-540 improvement cut about 90 minutes off Bob Dole's drive to MO.

It goes back to 4-lane at Ashdown, AR. Probably so the Domtar trucks have better access to/from I-30.

The Mansfield graveyard is the highlight of the drive. hehe

[Stewie]

I'm a Kansan and I appreciate the work they've done on I-70 near Independence Center going east, but I travel to NE KS and the quickest way there is 435 North to 45 going west towards Weston. There are a couple of bridges on 45 that I hope and pray don't collapse while I'm on them.

[ChiefsCountry]

In Missouri I wish they would make Hwy 50 a four lane from KC to St. Louis. It would help out the cluster that is known as I-70.

[Coach]

Apparently you've never driven through Kansas, Iowa, Oklahoma or Illinois.

Well, I'd rather drive I-70 on Kansas than Missouri.

I do know that I-35, from KC to Emporia went through construction, and the roads are pretty smooth, a much improvement from what it used to be.

[StcChief]

For Motorcycle riders or Fall leaf peepers. MO 94 W from US 40 (I-64 ) Is tough to beat. Thru wine country.

http://www.motorcycleroads.us/mo.html

[ChiefsCountry]

For Motorcycle riders or Fall leaf peepers. MO 94 W from US 40 (I-64 ) Is tough to beat. Thru wine country.

http://www.motorcycleroads.us/mo.html

That is a pretty drive but man its a long drive to St. Louis from Jeff City. My uncle would never take I-70 so that is the way we always had to go to St. Louis.

[gblowfish]

Missouri has no toll roads, so that's one reason the roads aren't as good as in other states. US 50 is four lane over a good part of the state. KC to Sedalia is all 4-lane, then some two lane, then back to 4-lane right before you get to Jeff City, then back to 2-lane on the east side of Jeff City.

Missouri also has so many creeks and rivers, that Missouri is in the top 5 of states for bridges, which, of course, cost money to maintain.
http://tinyurl.com/2m2uwg

I think MODot has been doing a better job over the past few years, although for the most part of the last 20 years it has been a terribly corrupt, poorly run part of Missouri government.

Still, most of the major 4-lane US Highways (which is the main topic of discussion here) are in reasonably good condition. 71, 65, 50, 60, 36, 61, all in pretty decent shape.

[Coach]

Missouri has no toll roads, so that's one reason the roads aren't as good as in other states. US 50 is four lane over a good part of the state. KC to Sedalia is all 4-lane, then some two lane, then back to 4-lane right before you get to Jeff City, then back to 2-lane on the east side of Jeff City.

Missouri also has so many creeks and rivers, that Missouri is in the top 5 of states for bridges, which, of course, cost money to maintain.

I think MODot has been doing a better job over the past few years, although for the most part of the last 20 years it has been a terribly corrupt, poorly run part of Missouri government.

Still, most of the major 4-lane US Highways (which is the main topic of discussion here) are in reasonably good condition. 71, 65, 50, 60, 36, 61, all in pretty decent shape.

I gotta say though, 71 from I-29 to Maryville is jacked up. They deftinaly need to improve that.

[ChiefsCountry]

Yeah I know MoDot is doing quite a bit of construction here at the Lake. Working on a four lane in Camdenton that in the future is suppose to be a four lane from Versailles to Lebanon, also building an expressway around Osage Beach.

[jidar]

driving in missouri sucks. Majority of the highways are run down, narrow, no shoulders, culverts on each side... hate it.

[Nightwish]

Missouri has no toll roads,Missouri actually has one toll road that I can think of, but it's not on a major highway, it's on Hwy MM as it crosses Lake of the Ozarks.

[acesn8s]

Missouri actually has one toll road that I can think of, but it's not on a major highway, it's on Hwy MM as it crosses Lake of the Ozarks.And other toll bridges

[Nightwish]

And other toll bridges
That's the only one I can remember coming across. I'm trying to think if there are any at Tablerock. Where are the others?

[acesn8s]

That's the only one I can remember coming across. I'm trying to think if there are any at Tablerock. Where are the others?There used to be some on the Mississippi River but they might be gone now.

[gblowfish]

Big difference between toll bridge and toll road. The shortcut over the Lake of the Ozarks is basically a toll bridge.