Head south on US-65, and the real show begins. The highway cuts through a corridor of farmland and forest, with the occasional diner blinking its neon sign like a friendly wink. Don’t be afraid to set the cruise control at a gentle 62 mph—this is a drive for savoring, not for sprinting.
Practical tip: Gas up in Lebanon, about thirty minutes south of Conway. Lebanon is also home to the infamous “Munger Moss Motel,” a Route 66 landmark with a neon sign that has welcomed road-weary travelers since 1946. Pull over for a photo—the vintage glow is worth the five-minute detour.
The landscape here is dotted with rustic barns and silos that look like they’ve been plucked from a country song. You’ll pass fields of soybeans and corn, and if you’re lucky, you might spot a red-tailed hawk tracing lazy circles overhead. There is no traffic to speak of, just open sky and the hum of your tires on asphalt.
Cultural Pit Stop: The Coffee of Strafford
About twenty minutes before Springfield, you’ll hit the tiny town of Strafford. While it’s small, it has a surprisingly good coffee stop at “The Exchange Café and Provisions” on the main drag. Grab an iced latte and a warm scone to break up the drive—it’s a low-key treat that feels like a secret only locals know.
Fun fact: Strafford was once a major stop on the St. Louis–San Francisco Railway (the “Frisco” line). You can almost hear the ghostly whistle of steam trains as you sip your coffee and watch the clouds roll past the old depot.
Route 66 from Rolla to Springfield
