Though not actually
the Ozarks, these rolling hills are covered with the same trees with the same
beautiful coverings of multi-colored leaves as you'll find further west. For
folks from Springfield, Saint Louis, Memphis or places in between, this is a
convenient, easy to drive loop with many of great stopping places (and even
some good eateries.
If you're driving from
the Springfield area, follow US-60 east through Mountain Grove to Willow
Springs. Here, US-60 becomes 2-lane. Continue on US-60 to Winona (about 36
miles). Turn left onto Hwy-19. Then, to return to Springfield, turn left just
before Salem onto Hwy-32 which will take you back to US-63 at Licking. Turn
left on 63, follow it back to US-60, turn right and you'll soon be back in
Springfield.
An alternate and
longer loop, again, if you're driving from the Springfield area, follow US-60
east through Mountain Grove to Willow Springs. Here, US-60 becomes 2-lane.
Continue on US-60 all the way to US-67 (about 98 miles). You may wish to take
a short side trip to Big Spring in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways near
Van Buren. To return to Springfield, or Saint Louis as the need may be, turn
left on US-67. Follow US-67 about 79 miles to the intersection of Hwy-8. To
return to Springfield, turn left and follow Hwy-8 to Steelville and Hwy-19.
Turn right and 19 will take you to I-44 exit 208 at Cuba. The westbound side
takes you back to Springfield. If (we're back at US-67) you're going to Saint
Louis, just stay on US-67 to exit 174 of I-55.
If your destination is
Memphis, when you get to the intersection of US-60 and US-67 (see above), turn
right toward Poplar Bluff. Just north of town (about 8 miles from the
intersection) US-60 heads left (east and takes you to I-55 exit 66.
Most accommodations are 'booked
up' during the leaf season. If you haven't made your hotel/motel reservations yet we
have included access to an on-line reservation system for your convenience.
Hotel
reservations are available, usually at a discount,
in the following nearby communities:
- Cuba
- I-44
exit 208
- Farmington
- US-67,
4 miles south of Hwy-8)
- Lebanon
- I-44 exits 127, 129 & 130
- Marshfield
- I-44 exit 100
- Mountain
Grove
- US-60,
11 miles west of US-63
- Poplar
Bluff - intersection of
US-60 and US-67 (east Ozarks region)
- Potosi
-
Hwy-8 about midway between Farmington and Cuba
- Springfield
- I-44 exits 72 through 82
(northern entry to Ozarks region)
- West
Plains
- intersection of US-63 and
US-160 (Ozarks region)
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