Best Stops Along Dallas to St Louis Drive

Are you planning a Dallas to St Louis drive soon?

My family and I have been driving to Saint Louis from Dallas several times since 2009. There were times we spent a night or two on the way to St. Louis, and there were times when we drove non-stop. Also, when we drive from St Louis to Dallas.

Most of the time, we drove from Dallas to St Louis through Arkansas, but there were times we went through Oklahoma.

Usually, we spent a night somewhere in Arkansas.  

In this Dallas to St Louis drives article, I will share stops suggestion based on our family experiences. In addition to that, places that I want to visit on future trips.

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Dallas to St Louis Drive Time

Google Maps will show three different driving directions from Dallas to Saint Louis. The driving time differences between the three directions are fifteen minutes to thirty minutes.

The driving distance from St Louis to Dallas is between 640 to 718 miles without a toll road. The drive will be around 630 miles if you take a toll road.  

“Which is the best route from Dallas to St Louis?” you might ask.

I think they all offer fun stops for road-trippers. If this will be your first road trip from Dallas to Saint Louis in Missouri, I suggest you take a different route heading back to Dallas.

Best Stops Along Dallas to St Louis Drive

Of course, you don’t have to follow the entire Google Maps directions suggestion. You are on vacation, and you have time on your hands. Make a detour to a small town, see a roadside attraction, visit a museum, eat at a restaurant you saw on Food Channel, and many more.

Create your road trip planner. Google Maps driving directions are your guideline. And here is where my stop suggestion comes in handy.        

You can check out these stops on your drive to St Louis or from St Louis to Dallas.

Buc-ee’s at Royse City

Our first stop whenever we went on a road trip to St. Louis, New England, Pennsylvania, or Washington, D.C. direction. It doesn’t matter whether we had a full tank or not. There’s always something to get for a snack on the road. A good pit stop for dogs, too.

Read more: 3 Weeks Texas to Maine Road Trip Itinerary

Sulphur Springs, Texas

It is a quick detour from Highway I-30 E to downtown Sulphur Springs to see and use the only see-through public restrooms in the United States.

Downtown Sulphur Springs is small but beautiful. It also houses the Hopkins County Courthouse, one of the most beautiful courthouses in Texas. It was built on the far corner of a large town plaza rather than in its center like most courthouses in Texas.

Arkansas Texarkana Welcome Center

About 7 miles from the state line is the Arkansas Texarkana Welcome Center. A clean pit stop area with a state of Arkansas sign at the front. We took pictures several times by the state sign carving, and one time we had a picnic lunch there. There’s a free coffee, and we always meet friendly attendants inside.

Hope, Arkansas

Another quick detour from I-30 E is President Clinton’s Birthplace Home National Historic Site in Hope. It’s only around a mile from the highway. If you arrive at the right time, you can join the tour that is offered every 45 minutes starting at 9 a.m. There is no charge to tour the home, but it is not a pet-friendly destination.

Address: 117 S Hervey St.

Hot Springs, Arkansas

I suggest you spend at least one night here. There are many things to see and do in and around Hot Springs. Hot Springs National Park, bathhouse row, Mid-America Science Museum, and Anthony Chapel are a few you can’t miss while visiting the town. It takes around 20 minutes to drive from I-30 E.

Our last stop here was at the beginning of January this year. Our dog Snoopy was with us. We stayed at Red Roof Inn because dogs always stay free in this hotel chain. Surprisingly, the room was clean.

You can check out other hotels in Hot Springs and book a room from this link.

Memphis, Tennessee

Most people still want to visit Graceland, the home of Elvis Presley. We didn’t go inside, just looking from outside in the evening. One time we stopped at the Pizza Hut nearby. Not long after we placed the order, my husband whispered to me to return to the car and start the engine. Once he got to the car, he said there was a bullet hole behind the cash register. We think it’s not a safe area. So, when you want to have lunch or dinner after touring Elvis’ mansion, find a safer place.

One time we stayed at the Sheraton Memphis Downtown Hotel and ate at Corky’s Ribs & BBQ, which we heard about from Food Channel. After all, you are in Memphis. You must try their BBQ.

Sikeston, Missouri

One day when we traveled on I-55 N to St. Louis, we saw Lambert’s Cafe billboards on the road. We remembered seeing this Home of Throwed Rolls restaurant on the Food Channel. After that first stop, we tried to manage our travel time through Sikeston around lunchtime. You must try it! Foods are delicious, and where else do servers throw hot rolls to you?

Address: 2305 E Malone Ave.

Cape Girardeau

About 34 miles north of Sikeston is Cape Girardeau, the largest city on I-55 N between Memphis, Tennessee, and St. Louis, Missouri. Cape Girardeau perches on the western bank of the Mississippi River. 

If you like chasing murals, go to Historic Old Town Cape. You can also see the beautiful Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge from there. The bridge will take you crossing the Mississippi River to Illinois.  

Are you looking for covered bridges? Cape Girardeau and surrounding areas have four remaining covered bridges. We have visited two; the one in Bollinger Mill State Historic Site and the other in Chester.

Cape Girardeau was a site of the Civil War. You can visit Fort D Historic Site, built to protect the city from attack.    

Are you an Eagle Scout or an active member of the Boy Scouts of America? Look for a replica of the Statue of Liberty in the city. It was created nationwide in 1950 as part of the Strengthen the Arm of Liberty, the theme of the Boy Scouts of America’s fortieth anniversary. We saw another in Gering, Nebraska, during our road trip to Mount Rushmore.

Chester, Illinois

If you stay on I-55 N, you can visit Chester, Illinois, Home of Popeye the Sailorman. The town is the birthplace of E.C. Segar, creator of the comic series. You will see Popeye and friends’ statues all over town.

To the northeast of Chester is Mary’s River Covered Bridge.

Chester is about sixteen miles from the highway. You will cross the Mississippi River to get to Chester.

Jonesboro, Illinois

About 25 miles to the east of Cape Girardeau is a small town Jonesboro Illinois. If you like Lincoln, there is a Lincoln-Douglas 3rd debate location in the Shawnee National Forest.  

Driving from St Louis to Dallas means taking Highway I-44 from St. Louis to Joplin in Missouri. Highway I-44 is parallel to Old Route 66. You will see unique attractions that won’t take hours of your travel time.

Cuba, Missouri

Take Exit 208 from I-44 to Cuba. Discover outdoor murals that tell Cuba’s history since 1857, including the Amelia Earhart mural.

Then cruise historic Route 66 to Fanning Outpost in Fanning. You will see the largest Red Rocker in Missouri in their front yard. A unique photo op for your social media.

During our visit, Red Rocker held the World’s record for the giant rocking chair and the color was white. Today the title belongs to the gigantic rocking chair in Casey, Illinois.

Then continue on Highway I-44 to Rolla.

Rolla, Missouri

From Highway I-44, take exit 186 to Rolla to see Stonehenge at Missouri University of Science & Technology.

Springfield, Missouri

Another roadside attraction on Highway I-44 is the World’s 2nd Largest Fork in Springfield. It held the World’s record during our visit, but the 37-foot-high fork in Oregon took over the title in 2022. Don’t touch it if it’s above the 90s during your visit. I did, and it’s hot!

Address: 2215 W Chesterfield Blvd., Springfield, MO.

Branson, Missouri

There’s so much to do and see in Branson, Missouri. We spent two nights visiting Silver Dollar City and the Butterfly Palace. Branson is a favorite family vacation in Missouri.

Here is the Booking link to hotels in Branson where you can make a reservation for your stay in and around town.

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Visit the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building Memorial for a quick stop in Oklahoma City. You may join the ranger program when you arrive at the right time. Or do a self-guided tour. Dogs are welcome on the ground of the Memorial. 

Address: 620 N Harvey Ave.

Norman, Oklahoma

Are you obsessed with tornados or the weather in general? A stop at the National Weather Center at the University of Oklahoma in Norman will be fun. Visit their website for updates on a public tour.

Address: 120 David L Boren Blvd.

Davis, Oklahoma

Before you leave the Panhandle State, stop at the number one waterfall in Oklahoma, Turner Falls. Depending on when you get there, you may only be looking around like we did.

Denison, Texas

Two U.S. Presidents were born in Texas. Besides Lyndon B. Johnson, it’s not one of the Bushes. It was Dwight D. “Ike” Eisenhower. He was born in Denison, and you can visit his birthplace at the Eisenhower Birthplace State Historic Site. 

Address: 609 S Lamar Ave.

Future Stops Between Dallas and St. Louis

Here are some of the stops I want to make next time we drive to St Louis from Dallas when driving on US-67 N to St. Louis, Missouri.

Paris, Texas

As of today, it’s the closest I go to Paris again. Haha.

Little Rock, Arkansas

Old State House Museum, The Old Mill, and The “Little Rock” are places I want to visit in Little Rock, the capital of Arkansas.

Poplar Bluff, Missouri

Poplar Bluff is the gateway to the Ozark. I want to visit Elephant Rocks State Park, the geological classroom, and Rocky Falls in the Ozark.

Bonne Terre, Missouri

I want to experience Bonne Terre Mine’s underground boat and a walking tour. It is the world’s largest belowground lake! If you are a diver, you shouldn’t skip the dive.

These are stops on I-44 between St. Louis and Joplin, Missouri.

Stanton, Missouri

A visit to Meramec Cavern, the infamous Jesse James hideout, sounds adventurous.

Springfield, Missouri

Spending at least one night in the city will be a good idea.

I will add another visit to a cavern. This time it is the only ride-thru cave in North America, the Fantastic Caverns.

A visit to Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield, one of six national parks in Missouri, will add to my knowledge of the Civil War. It is in the nearby Republic.

Springfield is a dining scene. Lots of specialties restaurants, and I must try the world-famous Springfield-Style Cashew Chicken at Leong’s Asian Diner.

If I go through Fort Smith in Arkansas via Branson, Missouri, here are the stops I want to add for this Dallas to St Louis drive. From Fort Smith, I will take I-40 to Oklahoma and turn to I-44 in Oklahoma on the way back to Dallas.

Eureka Springs, Arkansas

I think we all know that Eureka Springs is a hotspot for travelers. A stop in this little town, especially in the fall, will be great!

Bentonville, Arkansas

A visit to the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art will be a beautiful stop.

And do you know that Bentonville is the Mountain Biking Capital of the World? If I do MTB, I will try one of the trails in Bentonville.

So, what do you think of these Dallas to St Louis drive stops? How many of these stops have you done? Any suggestion for more stops between Dallas and St Louis? Leave your comment below so I can check it the next time we drive to St Louis from Dallas.

Here are more ideas of stops to make when you take a road trip from Dallas to other states:

– Cool Stops to Make During Dallas to Albuquerque Drive

– Epic One Week Dallas to Grand Canyon Road Trip (+ Las Vegas)

– 10 Epic Days Dallas to Colorado Springs Road Trip

– 10 Adventurous Day From Dallas to Colorado Road Trip

– Best Dallas to the Smoky Mountains Road Trip Itinerary