A Scenic Road Trip: From Springfield, Illinois to St. Louis, Missouri

Starting the Journey in Springfield, Illinois

Ready for a change of scenery, we embarked on a road trip from Springfield, Illinois, to the bustling city of St. Louis, Missouri. The journey promised a mix of picturesque flatlands, expansive cornfields, and an encounter with the mighty Mississippi River.

Marveling at the Cornfields and Silos

As we cruised along the old route 66, the landscape was dominated by vast expanses of cornfields stretching as far as the eye could see. It’s incredible how endless these fields seemed, each one punctuated by gigantic silos. These towering structures break the monotony of flatlands and added a bit of rustic charm.

Part of the old route are not well travelled and the road is in need of repair in places……grass even growing down the middle of the road in some stretches.

Very little traffic in parts made it an ideal setting for some roadside photography. We pulled over a few times, trying to capture the essence of this journey. The simplicity of the fields against the backdrop of blue skies was mesmerising. We stopped at a random memorial and found interesting monuments and info about Mother Jones, a pioneer on working rights and trade union activities.

We detoured to an old covered bridge which you expect old time USA to be like. Conjuring up memories of Little House on the Prairie and Anne of Green Gables. Although found nothing to explain why a small wooden bridge between two fields was covered.

We stopped at a Creamery, our first ice cream in the states. I went to a brownie sundae and Matt had a cone. When asked if he wanted a plain or waffle cone Matthew said I’ll have a normal one. The lady looked at him gone out before I explained normal to his UK thinking is not normal to the US. Needless to say I didn’t finish mine as too sweet and sickly.

First Glimpse of the Mississippi River

Continuing our drive, the terrain slowly began to change, signaling our approach to the Mississippi River. The excitement of seeing this iconic river for the first time was palpable in the car, however, my nerves were jangling as I had to drive over an iron bridge to get to it and I can’t say it was a nice experience. The sheer size and the knowledge of its importance in American history made the moment special. We took a brief stop to stretch our legs and enjoy the riverside view, snapping a few photos to commemorate the moment.

An Unexpected Detour in St. Louis

Back on the road, our drive to St. Louis was quite eventful. We were looking forward to exploring the vibrant city and its famous arch. However, an unexpected wrong turn led us through a very rough area. The contrast between the peacefulness of the countryside and the edginess of certain city sections was stark. It seemed like one minute the highway, the next we were in a war zone. Houses were boarded up, the roads were full of potholes. The surroundings were a bit intimidating and luckily not a soul in sight, we followed the satnav and got out pretty quickly and unscathed but it was a reminder to always plan your route carefully and stay aware of your surroundings. It added a little adrenaline rush to our otherwise calm journey!

Luckily for us we were staying the a Drury Inn tonight so top quality. Arrived to have a swim and spa session, lovely hotel right at the side of the arch.

Conclusion: The Beauty of the Journey

Driving from Springfield, Illinois, to St. Louis, Missouri, was more than just covering miles; it was an experience filled with serene landscapes, agricultural marvels, and a brush with one of America’s most iconic rivers. While the detour in St. Louis was unplanned, it was a reminder of the diverse experiences that road trips offer. If you're considering this drive, embrace the journey and let the road take you through its many stories.