The Mother Road
Chicago to Santa Monica, eight states, one legendary highway, and Joplin sits right in the middle of the story.
The road
Route 66 was officially designated in 1926, linking Chicago to Santa Monica across eight states. It ran down Joplin's Main Street and out 7th Street toward the Kansas line, and the city is name-checked in the lyrics of "(Get Your Kicks On) Route 66."
As travel shifted to the interstates, the Mother Road became something to seek out rather than simply drive. Joplin kept its alignments, its murals, and its stories, and that's what the Experience is here to share.
How the road moved
Route 66 was rerouted twice after its original path, so the "Mother Road" actually traces three different ways through the Joplin area.
From Webb City's Broadway, winding through the Royal Heights neighborhood to Broadway in Joplin, then onto Main Street and out 7th.
Rerouted along Route 171 to North Main Street, then down to 7th Street toward the state line.
Straightened to follow Madison / North Range Line over to 7th Street, the route many travelers still trace today.
Out on the route
Places along the road worth pulling over for. Bring a camera.
Joplin's place on Route 66 is only half the story. The other half is the boy born a block off it in 1901.
Langston Hughes →
Joplin holds an authentic stretch of Route 66. Come see where the Mother Road still runs.
