Missouri road guide
The best motorcycle roads in Missouri
The best motorcycle roads in Missouri run through the Ozarks and along its big rivers: MO 94 and MO 100 through Missouri River wine country, MO 79 up the Mississippi to Hannibal, MO 19 and MO 106 through the spring-fed hills around Eminence, and MO 21 into the St. Francois Mountains. Add Route 66 and the Lake of the Ozarks, and here are 11 rides with what to watch for and the best season.
- Roads listed
- 11
- Best region
- The Ozarks
- Best months
- April to June, Sept to Oct
- Check before you go
- MoDOT Traveler Map
Before you pick
How to use this list of the best motorcycle roads in Missouri
Missouri's riding sorts into two kinds. Near St. Louis and Kansas City, the big rivers have carved bluffs, and the roads beside them are scenic, flowing and lined with wineries and old river towns. South of the Missouri River, the Ozark Plateau takes over, and the roads climb, dip and turn constantly through forest, hollows and spring-fed river valleys.
Ozark roads are often narrow, with no shoulder, blind crests and low-water crossings, so ride them with margin. Missouri's lettered state routes, like Route N, are some of the best curves in the state. For timing, see the best time to ride in Missouri, and for the regions, the Missouri overview. Check MoDOT's Traveler Information Map for closures and flooding.
River country
The Missouri and Mississippi river roads
- 1. MO 94 along the Missouri RiverWhy: From the Defiance area west through Augusta, Dutzow and Marthasville and on toward Jefferson City, MO 94 hugs the river bluffs with the Katy Trail alongside and wineries every few miles. Watch for: Weekend winery traffic, cyclists at trail crossings, and deer. Best season: April to June, September to October.
- 2. MO 100, Washington to HermannWhy: The south-bank twin to MO 94, rolling through Washington, New Haven and Berger to Hermann, a German river town known for wineries and Oktoberfest weekends. Cross the river at Washington and Hermann for a loop with MO 94. Watch for: Festival crowds in Hermann on fall weekends and farm traffic. Best season: April to June, September to October.
- 3. MO 79, Great River RoadWhy: Runs along the Mississippi bluffs north of St. Louis through Clarksville and Louisiana to Hannibal, Mark Twain's hometown, with river overlooks and long sweepers. Watch for: Deer, gravel at turnouts and slow traffic in the river towns. Best season: April to June, September to October.
- 4. MO 45 north of Kansas CityWhy: Kansas City's closest river ride, north along the Missouri River bluffs through Parkville toward Weston, a historic river town with brick storefronts and wineries nearby. Watch for: Suburban traffic near Kansas City and slow drivers in Weston. Best season: April to June, September to October.
The Mother Road
Route 66 across Missouri
- 5. Route 66, St. Louis to JoplinWhy: The Mother Road crosses Missouri southwest through Cuba and its murals, Rolla, the old Big Piney River bridge at Devil's Elbow, Lebanon, Springfield and Carthage, home of a classic Route 66 drive-in, before Joplin and the Kansas line. Watch for: Rough pavement on old alignments, frontage roads that dead-end, and I-44 traffic where they meet. Best season: April to October.
- 6. Devil's Elbow loopWhy: The most scenic slice of Missouri's Route 66, where an old alignment drops to a steel truss bridge over the Big Piney under tall bluffs near St. Robert. Short, slow and worth the detour. Watch for: Narrow pavement, tight turns and occasional flooding at the bridge. Best season: April to October.
The Ozarks
Ozark rivers, springs and mountains
- 7. MO 19 through the Current River countryWhy: Crosses the heart of the Ozarks through Round Spring and Eminence in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, with constant hills, curves and river crossings. Watch for: Float trip traffic, trailers and buses in summer, deer, and blind crests. Best season: April to June, September to November.
- 8. MO 106, Alley Spring to EllingtonWhy: Runs west and east of Eminence past Alley Spring and its red mill, then through forest and Current River country toward Ellington. Quiet, curvy and remote. Watch for: Hills that hide what's over the top, deer and turkeys, and canoe trailers pulling out at the river accesses. Best season: April to June, September to November.
- 9. MO 21 and Route N, St. Francois MountainsWhy: MO 21 heads south from the St. Louis area past Elephant Rocks into the St. Francois Mountains, some of the oldest exposed mountains in the country. Turn onto Route N for Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park, and Taum Sauk Mountain, Missouri's highest point, is close by. Watch for: Gravel and wet leaves in shaded corners, and park traffic. Best season: April to June, September to November.
- 10. Lake of the Ozarks, MO 5 and MO 7Why: The highways around Camdenton make curvy loops with lake views, and Ha Ha Tonka State Park's castle ruins above the water are a good stop. Watch for: Packed summer weekends, trucks towing boats, and drivers slowing suddenly for marinas and turnoffs. Best season: April to May, September to October.
- 11. Glade Top TrailWhy: Ridgetop gravel through the Mark Twain National Forest south of Ava, designated a national forest scenic byway, with long views over the Ozark hills. Bring an adventure or dual sport bike. Watch for: Loose surface, washboard and dust. Best season: April to May, October.
Summary
Missouri motorcycle roads at a glance
| Road | Region | Best season |
|---|---|---|
| MO 94, Missouri River | St. Louis to Jefferson City | Spring and fall |
| MO 100, Washington to Hermann | Missouri River | Spring and fall |
| MO 79, Great River Road | Mississippi | Spring and fall |
| MO 45, north of Kansas City | Kansas City | Spring and fall |
| Route 66 | St. Louis to Joplin | Apr to Oct |
| Devil's Elbow | Route 66 | Apr to Oct |
| MO 19, Current River country | Ozarks | Spring and fall |
| MO 106, Alley Spring to Ellington | Ozarks | Spring and fall |
| MO 21 and Route N | St. Francois Mountains | Spring and fall |
| Lake of the Ozarks | Central Ozarks | Spring and fall |
| Glade Top Trail (gravel) | Southwest Ozarks | Spring and fall |
Make them count
Add Missouri roads to Rippin'
Most of these roads aren't in Rippin' yet, so the first rider to add one gets their name on it. Ride it with Rippin' recording, open Segments and tap Create a Segment: drop a start gate and a finish gate and trace the line. A person on our team checks it before it goes live. Read more on segments and leaderboards and how roads get added.
A segment board is about who owns the road and who rides it, not a race. Rippin' never rewards speed on public roads, and Ozark crests hide a lot.
The river loop is made for turf. Ride MO 94 west to the Hermann bridge and come back on MO 100 to Washington, and the river valley inside becomes your turf on the live map. Plan it with the loop builder. Heading south? The Arkansas overview covers the Ozark roads over the line. Roads riders have already added in Missouri are listed below.
Live from the app
Missouri on Rippin' right now.
8 upcoming events and 0 rider-added roads in Missouri on the map today. This list updates whenever the site is rebuilt; the app always has the latest.
- Sat Nov 7ALR Chapter 202 Toys for Tots Toy RunColumbia
- Sat Nov 7Kansas City Chili Run 2026Kansas City
- Sat Nov 7FORR Christmas Food DriveJoplin
- Fri Dec 11AMA FIM North American Arenacross ChampionshipLebanon
- Fri Feb 5AMA GT Arenacross Series - Rounds 11-12Springfield
- Sat Feb 6Show-Me Bike Show 2027Sedalia
- Fri Jun 4Ozark Rides Rally 2027Osage Beach
- Tue Sep 14Bikefest Lake of the Ozarks 2027Lake Ozark
No Missouri roads are in the app yet. Add the one you love from Segments and a person on our team checks it before it goes live. How roads get added.
FAQ
Questions riders ask.
What is the best motorcycle road in Missouri?
MO 94 along the Missouri River is the best known near St. Louis. For curves, MO 19 and MO 106 around Eminence and MO 21 into the St. Francois Mountains are the pick.
Where are the curvy roads in Missouri?
In the Ozarks, south of the Missouri River, especially around Eminence, the Current River and the St. Francois Mountains. Lettered state routes there are often the twistiest.
What are good motorcycle rides near St. Louis?
MO 94 and MO 100 through wine country, MO 79 to Hannibal, and MO 21 south into the St. Francois Mountains.
What are good motorcycle rides near Kansas City?
MO 45 along the river toward Weston, and a weekend run east to the Lake of the Ozarks and the Ozark roads beyond.
Is the Glade Top Trail paved?
No. It's a gravel national forest byway, best on an adventure or dual sport bike. Watch for washboard and loose surface.
Can I add these Missouri roads to Rippin'?
Yes. Any rider can add a road with Create a Segment. Someone on the Rippin' team reviews it before it goes live, and it keeps your name.
Put a Missouri road on the map.
Download Rippin' free, ride one of these with it recording, and add it as a segment. Your name stays on it.
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